Exhorder

Exhorder is an American thrash and groove metal band from New Orleans, Louisiana. Formed in 1985, the band first runs from 1985 to 1992 and reforms in 2008.

Style and significance

The group begins with a pure thrash metal sound on its early demos, then moves toward a groove metal approach on its debut studio album, Slaughter in the Vatican, and develops that style further on The Law. It is often credited as an early source of the groove-oriented thrash sound later associated with bands such as Pantera, White Zombie and Machine Head.

Recordings and history

Slaughter in the Vatican is released in 1990, and The Law follows in 1992, which remains the band’s second and, to date, last album. The group dissolves later in 1992 before reforming in 2008.

Members

Core members listed are Vinnie LaBella on guitars, Franky Sparcello on bass, Kyle Thomas on vocals, Jay Ceravolo on guitars and Chris Nail on drums.

Relation to Pantera

Exhorder is frequently linked with the development of the groove-metal style that Pantera later popularises. The band acknowledges the possibility of influencing Pantera’s sound, while also noting friendship with the group and respect for Dimebag Darrell.