Some stories end as quickly as they begin, but others continue because of dedication and perseverance. Starting in 2011, the band Thrown into Exile quickly gained attention in 2012 when they won the “Road to Mayhem” competition performing on the same bill as Slipknot, Motörhead, Anthrax, and Slayer. A great opportunity for a young band, this led to an opening slot on the official Mayhem Festival Tour in 2013 alongside Rob Zombie, Five Finger Death Punch, Mastodon, and Amon Amarth.
Going out in the summer of 2013 as an independent act full of aspirations, they had their self-titled debut EP in tow, and the future was looking promising, but not without a few more bumps in the road. First, Vocalist Evan Seidlitz exited the band shortly after the Mayhem Festival Tour, only to resurface a few years later with Vyces (featuring ex-Breaking Benjamin Bassist Mark James Klepaski), before becoming a member of Invidia (formed by former Skinlab Guitarist Brian Jackson, and featuring ex-Five Finger Death Punch Bassist Matt Snell).
In the years to follow several other members came and went through the years, with only founding Guitarist Mario Rubio remaining. Rubio, the glue and force that has kept Thrown into Exile alive, through it all, the band has gone on to put out two full-length albums. However, in 2024 Thrown into Exile return with a new EP, as well as a newfound energy.
What is that exactly? Well, Evan Seidlitz returned as their lead vocalist for the first time in a decade in 2023, joining Rubio and a rekindled lineup of Tom Tierney on drums, Javier Quinto on bass, and Austin Monzon on guitar. Locked and loaded, the band immediately went to work on new songs which manifested into five extremely heavy tracks that come together on Passageways. Released on November 15, 2024, Passageways comes after two standalone singles (“Dagger Within” and “You’ve Fallen So Far”) that reintroduced Seidlitz as the vocalist in 2023. Very inspired tracks, you could hear immediately that the energy behind Thrown into Exile had shifted slightly.
With this all in mind, Passageways finds Thrown into Exile going for dark, heavy tones that immediately stand out. Yes, the guitars are thunderous and crushing, but there is an undeniable atmosphere. This can be felt in the single “Desolation,” and carried through with the haunting qualities of “Forsaken,” but also in the more doom-laden “Killing the Only One.” However, what really takes you back is the unique track “Caskets Beyond Cremation” with powerful cleaning singing hooking you in the chorus line.
Overall, Thrown into Exile has captured something intense with Passageways. The songs are very precise, fantastically produced by Jeremy Krull, and showcase how well Evan Seidlitz fits in the band. So, if you might have lost track of Thrown into Exile after experiencing them back in 2013 at Mayhem Festival, it is time to reacquaint yourself, because Cryptic Rock gives Passageways 4 out of 5 stars.
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