Review: “Left In Shards” by EXA

Before a note has been heard, the expectation of the sophomore album “Left In Shards” by EXA is huge. Hailing from Berlin Germany, the Thrash Metal four piece have been around since 2016 when they were all still in school. Two years later they unveiled their debut EP “Ignite” which won first place at the Metal Hammer Newcomer Contest in 2018 and opened the door for them to perform at Metal Hammer Paradise Festival that year. Equally critically acclaimed, the bands debut album “Cut the Past” surfaced in 2020, leading to touring with Power Trip, Nervosa and Misery Index to name but a few. Their success continued into 2023 with the band signing with ESP Guitars, Engl Amps and M.A.D. Tour Booking, so you can clearly see why that expectation level is so high. Then comes the interesting part. The album was produced, mixed, and mastered by vocalist and guitarist Tom Tschernig with deliberate efforts made to capture the essence of the bands live performance…

…as they explore themes ranging from societal discord to personal introspection in order to create a narrative that is both powerful and resonant. Joining Tschernig in this endeavour are fellow riff slinger Johannes Lortz (Sheol Arisen), custodian of the lowest frequencies Tamino Bosse and resident skin basher Leon Pester, all of whom have been present since the very start. So with such critical acclaim there are many questions. Why are the band not signed to a major label? Why do they take a DIY or DIE approach? Why is there no outside mixing or mastering? The truth is that you only need listen to opening cut “Return to Madness” to know the talent of Tschernig behind the boards with full creative control no doubt being the answer to the other question. Combing all the classic elements, here EXA sound like they’ve taken a similar approach to their genre of choice as bands like Angelus Apatrida. High energy incendiary performances, blistering riffs, face melting solos and pummelling percussive battery are all wrapped around a scathing vocal that sounds like genre greats from the golden age of the genre have been resurrected for the modern age and given super powers. The intensity of the opening cut alone sets the standard incredibly high before the seemingly Exodus inspired “Under his Eye” rattles up with a groove laden bass line and the kind of extended solos that Metallica would kill for in 2024.

Inspired and feeling fresh rather than nostalgic, the nitro fuelled race to the grave continues into “Dead Child Eyes“, a third back to back commanding performance that is made for headbanging. EXA sound like “Burn My Eyes” era Machine Head playing Bay area Thrash covers until the final moments of this when Tschernig pulls out a Death growl that turns heads. A sinister melodic introduction serves as a palate cleanser in the context of the album before “Hire to Fire” reaches critical mass. A classic rage against giant corporations who see people like cattle, its a staccato riff infestation that drives home the nails into the coffins of the naysayers and yet another powerhouse performance. An American political speech that’s been adapted into something more truthful is a hilarious moment to close on before the baton is passed to “Mind Free” for a little introspection. This one is the knock out blow, an uppercut that catches the jaw perfectly with its pace and power, the earworm riffs instantly addictive and immediately unforgettable. An unclean sing-a-long chorus ensures grit and integrity are maintained and once it’s over you might not believe what you just heard. It’s that good but its far from over as Tschernig and Lortz keep challenging each others capabilities in the riff department and coming up with impressive ideas. As a result the title track “Left in Shards” is an adrenaline junkies dream, the Melodic Death Metal inspired solo a flamboyant moment that is the icing on the metaphorical cake. There are plenty of little moments of nuance too, things which pop out of the mix over multiple listens which the brain simply doesn’t process on the first few spins.

The cracks had already started to appear but the building falls with the lethal dose of classic Thrash that is “Witch Hunt“. If it had been released in the golden age of the genre… its the kind of tune that would have seen EXA playing arenas and inviting the lesser lights of heaven to play shows in Latin America. An extinction level event, “Cease to Exist” is yet another cut on this album with a hummable earworm riff and an instant familiarity, the whammy bar drop solo shrieking like a banshee wail as it flies from the fretboard. Capturing the bands live energy perfectly, it has all the verve and swagger of a collection of musicians who are at the top of their game and have total confidence in their abilities. The words “All Killer, No Filler” are used all too often however when it comes to this one, there isn’t a line more fitting. Even the interlude piece “Circadian” which serves as an introduction to grand finale “King Terror” impresses. You could argue that separation between the two isn’t really required but it would just be a waste of breath when you could be in the circle pit that is the minimum requirement for the final piece of this puzzle. It’s one that will have you chanting the song title along with Tschernig on the very first spin while having another jaw dropping solo. It doesn’t get much better than this. [9/10]

Track Listing

1. Return to Madness
2. Under his Eye
3. Dead Child Eyes
4. Hire to Fire
5. Mind Free
6. Left in Shards
7. Witch Hunt
8. Cease to Exist
9. Circadian
10. King Terror

“Left In Shards” by EXA is out 9th February 2024 with physical editions and merch available here.