Bio

February 2026

Firmly at the genre’s forefront for 40 years, Exodus are undisputed legends. From the far-beyond-seminal eruption of their debut album Bonded By Blood, first released in 1985, to the skull-smashing extremity of the records the Bay Area crew have released in recent years, they remain a benchmark for thrash brutality and unerring commitment to the heavy metal cause. In fact, for many connoisseurs, Exodus are the ultimate thrash metal band, with a sound that was revolutionary back in the early ‘80s, and still way ahead of the curve today. Exodus are the rightful kings of thrash, and Bonded By Blood is still the ultimate expression of the genre’s snotty, energized essence. The band have been at the genre’s cutting edge throughout their four decades, and never more so than now, as showcased on their preceding output, 2021’s Persona Non Grata, and the towering upcoming tour de force, Goliath.

Back in 1985, Exodus exploded onto the scene alongside many of the established greats of thrash. Fronted by the ultimate metal talisman Paul Baloff, they ripped the hard rock scene a series of new assholes and delivered a timeless classic debut album that would turn them into bona fide icons. At the time, however, Exodus and their friends were simply living in the moment, and making as much noise as possible until the cops arrived.

“Yeah, man. Back then, the idea of turning 30 was big! It was like ‘Life’s gonna be over!’ you know?” Holt grins. “30 year olds were old men. Little did we know that most of our heroes were in their 30s by then! But we had no idea. We were just making music that we enjoyed making and that we loved, and we were looking for the next good time. And now here we are, sharing emails about how we’re gonna celebrate 40 years of this landmark record, you know? We never thought that was gonna happen 40 years ago, that’s for sure.”

Despite their youthful naivety, the early Exodus line-up swiftly became one of the most important bands in metal. Bonded By Blood was followed by two stone cold classics – Pleasures Of The Flesh (1987) and Fabulous Disaster (1989) – which introduced a new frontman, Steve ‘Zetro’ Souza, to the world, alongside numerous classic songs. Next, Exodus dared to poke the mainstream, with two albums for Capitol Records. The metal world was changing in the early ‘90s, and while Exodus were still releasing formidable material, the winds of change were plainly heading their way. Combined with a mixed reception for 1992’s slower and groovier Force Of Habit record, Holt and his comrades quietly called it a day in 1993, only to return with a reformed line-up – featuring Holt, Paul Baloff, drummer Tom Hunting and guitarist Rick Hunolt – for a short US tour in 1997, which led to scorching live album Another Lesson In Violence. A second reunion took place in 2001, but was tragically thwarted by the premature death of Baloff in February 2002.

Inspired by their reformation, Exodus kicked on with extreme focus as the 21st century began to heat up. In 2004, and with Zetro back on vocals, they released Tempo Of The Damned, which received widespread acclaim for its sheer intensity and bone-cracking heaviness. At the same time, thrash metal was beginning to exert its power over the metal scene all over again.

Nothing is ever easy in Exodus World. The success of Tempo Of The Damned was quickly dented by a split between the band and their frontman, which led to the recruitment of new (and current) vocalist Rob Dukes for 2005’s monstrous Shovel Headed Kill Machine, and its two epic follow-ups, The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A (2007) and Exhibit B: The Human Condition (2010). In between, Exodus released a re-recorded and updated version of Bonded By Blood, known as Let There Be Blood. Zetro made a third return to the fold in 2014, adding his scabrous shrieks to Blood In, Blood Out: yet another peerless demonstration of thrash savagery. Followed by 2021’s acclaimed Persona Non Grata, Exodus has proven that they have never lost a shred of their intensity, or their unwavering ability to write thrash songs that will make fans want to bang their heads until their brains dribble out.

Gary Holt has been very busy over the last few years, both with Exodus and with the mighty Slayer, but his focus sharpened in 2025 with the band entering the studio to record their 12th studio album and first for Napalm Records, with returning vocalist Rob Dukes. Now resurging at full force in 2026, their new album, Goliath, reinforces their eternal foothold at the top of thrash metal’s hierarchy with 10 of the band’s most diverse, anthemic emissions to date. The album boasts what the band describes as the performance of Dukes’ life.

“Rob has cemented himself in the Exodus history books. Some of my favorite records are the Dukes era stuff,” Holt says. “Sometimes unforeseen circumstances happen when you least expect them! The band is beyond motivated and excited for the future and the new record reflects that in every way.”

Goliath is also Exodus’ most collaborative record, featuring a dynamic grouping of songs written by several band members and guest contributions from Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy, Pain) and violinist Katie Jacoby. Tracks like lead single “3111” boast breakneck thrash intensity and some the band’s most intense accompanying video visuals ever, while anthems like colossal title track “Goliath” switch things up with simmered tempos, winding, malevolent leads, towering drums and ominous string work coupled with intricate guitars. Plus, longtime fans will replay explosive songs like “Promise You This” again and again – bringing it all back to the beginning with trademark mosh pit treachery, cyclonic riffs and turbocharged soloing.

“The new shit is crushing, but it’s full of hooks,” says Holt. “As the primary riff writer I still hold myself to super unrealistic expectations. I have a million and one riffs, but I want the riff that makes guitar players go, ‘How the fuck did he do that? It’s fucking ridiculous!’ We’re stoked. This shit’s killer. There are some surprises. There’s some hooky, catchy shit, and there’s some ridiculous, heavy shit. It’s all heavy as fuck.”

Produced by Exodus, mixed and mastered by Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, Nile, Undeath), Goliath beams with the explosive authenticity. 40 years into their reign, Exodus are steadfast in their refusal to settle for the safety of mediocrity, fearing nothing and no one and continuing to forge their brand just as resolutely as they did in their fruition. The result is that Exodus are currently more successful and revered than ever before.