the primal death metal of EXOTO

Exoto (Belgium): Beyond the Depths of Hate (Vic Records)

Vic Records recently has been releasing some interesting death metal bands that have been ignored by the metal press. Exoto is a death metal band from Belgium that was reactivated in 2013. Exoto’s origins are from the late 80s, and the band recorded demos in 1990, 1991 and 1992, which were followed by an album in 1994 and another album in 1995. They seem to have broken up sometime after that second album.

This album here is called “Beyond the Depths of Hate” and Exoto has re-recorded the old songs from the 90s. Overall, Exoto plays primal classic-style death metal that comes from the old and early days of the genre, a sound that speaks directly to those that recognize the feel and sound of the old times. It is in the sound and song arrangements that you can hear the difference of this band, which sounds more mature, confident and experienced, traits that come from having been around the block a time or two.

This album provides such a good introduction, or a new introduction of Exoto, to the death metal audience. Never having heard Exoto before, nor even remembering ever seeing the name in print anywhere, I was curious about how these songs would sound. At times, it seems like late 80s death metal, such as bands from Florida, is found in these songs, but one could just as easily point out that classic death metal from Holland is a good point of reference, too. Whatever the specifics of the case may be, one thing is for sure: Exoto has returned to complete unfinished business from the 90s, and they sound ready-made for the crowds that support death metal, the old and original way. Exoto is for you if you are into old Death, Obituary, Massacre, Master, Sinister, Pestilence, Pentacle, so on and so forth. Or, if you like a band like Gravehill, you should find lots to like about Exoto, too.

The band is calling this recording a “farewell album,” so maybe this is it for real this time. No more Exoto after this?

www.facebook.com/pages/Exoto/415058545194901 www.vicrecords.com

Exoto - Beyond the Depths of Hate