Born from the heart of New York’s late-80s
underground, E-X-E were part of that wild storm where thrash was mutating
daily, absorbing influences from heavy, speed, and power metal alike. Their
name didn’t hit as hard commercially as Anthrax or Overkill, but they carved
their own sharp mark on the scene. Their 1987 debut “Stricken By Might” turned
heads for its raw hunger and street-born energy, while 1989’s “Sicker Than I
Thought!” showed a band that had grown meaner, faster, and much tighter. Both
albums now return in freshly remastered form by Hammerheart Records, finally
giving these cult titles the treatment they deserve.
“Stricken
By Might” is exactly what you’d expect from an underground thrash record of the
late 80s, furious riffs, scrappy production, and an atmosphere soaked in sweat
and electricity. E-X-E were caught right in between the fading wildness of
early speed metal and the more technical phase thrash was heading toward, and
that’s part of this album’s charm. There’s a reckless energy that sounds like
four guys hammering out their songs in a basement with absolute conviction.
What makes
this reissue exciting isn’t just nostalgia, but the fact that the remaster
finally gives these songs some sonic muscle. It’s still gritty, but more
balanced. Add in the unearthed track “Dangers,” and it becomes clear that E-X-E
had more to offer than just another 80s footnote. This is the kind of album
that grows on you with repeated listens, each time reminding you why
underground metal from this era feels so alive.
Score: 8.5
Two years after their debut, E-X-E returned
with “Sicker Than I Thought!”, and the title wasn’t lying. The band had
sharpened every corner of their sound. The songs hit harder, the playing is
tighter, and the overall aggression level jumps several notches. The raw charm
of the debut is still here, but now it’s joined by precision and maturity.
Right from
the opening cut “Three Years Later/Dismembered,” you can tell they’re not
messing around. The riffs slice through the mix like freshly honed steel, and
the rhythm section drives everything with a steady assault. Tommy Lee Haley’s
vocals stand out as a perfect match for this new phase, cleaner than before but
delivered with power and fire. The twin guitars of Marigliano and Tavora shine
through with classic thrash interplay, bouncing between galloping runs and
quick, cutting solos.
Score: 8.0
Hammerheart’s reissues of both “Stricken By Might” and “Sicker Than I Thought!” serve as a reminder of how rich the underground thrash scene was in the late 80s. E-X-E weren’t chasing trends, they were part of a movement that played loud, fast, and from the gut. Rediscovering these albums now is like digging up lost ammo from the golden age of American thrash.
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