Exodus (American band)

Exodus (band)" redirects here. For the progressive rock

band, see Exodus (Polish band).
Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in
1979 in Richmond, California.[1] Spanning a career of
36 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup
changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two
former band members. Their current lineup consists of
vocalist Steve Souza, guitarists Gary Holt and Lee Altus,
bassist Jack Gibson and drummer Tom Hunting. Hunting
is one of the original members, and departed from Exodus twice, in 1989 and 2004, but rejoined in 2007. Holt
joined the band shortly after its formation, and is the only
member of Exodus to appear on all their releases.
Since its formation, Exodus has released ten studio albums, two live albums and two compilations. Along
with Testament, Death Angel, Vio-Lence, Forbidden,
Lz Rockit and Metallica, whose longtime lead guitarist Kirk Hammett was an original member of Exodus, they are often credited as pioneers of the Bay Area
thrash metal scene,[2][3] and have sold over 5 million albums worldwide as of 2013.[4] Exodus had particular success in the mid-to-late 1980s with their rst three studio albumsBonded by Blood, Pleasures of the Flesh and
Guitarist Gary Holt has been a member of Exodus since 1981,
Fabulous Disaster. The critical praise given to Fabulous and is the only member to have performed on all of the bands
Disaster garnered attention from major labels, including albums.
Capitol Records, with whom Exodus would eventually
sign in 1989. Exodus released two more studio albums
(Impact Is Imminent and Force of Habit) before disbanding in 1993. After a temporary reunion in 1997-1998,
Exodus reformed once again in 2001, and since then, they
have released ve more studio albums, the most recent
being 2014s Blood In, Blood Out.

1
1.1

The jagged edged Exodus logo. This logo has been used on
the cover of all of the bands releases, except for Force of Habit
(1992).

History

Formation and early years (1979 and was replaced by Hammetts guitar technician Gary
Holt.
1983)
In 1981, Hammett met El Cerrito resident Paul Balo
at a North Berkeley house party, a friendship that was
started - according to Hammett - by their shared admiration for punk rock and 1970s heavy metal music. In
1982, Balo took Stewarts place as vocalist and the quintet recorded a demo tape the same year, a release which
would be Hammetts only recording with the band. Geo Andrews would leave after the tape was completed to
start an early incarnation of pioneering death metal band

In 1979, guitarists Kirk Hammett and Tim Agnello,

drummer/vocalist Tom Hunting, and bassist Carlton Melson formed the initial lineup of Exodus. Hammett had
named the band after Leon Uris' 1958 novel of the same
title.[1] Bassist Melson would soon be replaced by Geo Andrews and the band also added vocalist Keith
Stewart.[5][6] Agnello would soon leave the group (and
music) to pursue a life of ministry in Stockton, California
1

Possessed. Andrews was replaced by bassist Rob McKillop. In early 1983, Hammett left Exodus to join Metallica
and was eventually replaced in the long term by guitarist
Rick Hunolt.

1.2

HISTORY

been the lead vocalist for Legacy, an early incarnation of

Testament. Balo went on to form the band Piranha.

Exodus line-up remained fairly stable for the recording

of their next few albums, and the underground success
attained with Bonded by Blood would lead to the groups
Bonded By Blood and rise in popularity signing to Sony/Combat Records, who distributed the
bands second eort Pleasures of the Flesh in 1987. Plea(19841991)
sures of the Flesh was engineered by young Sylvia Massy
who would go on to produce two releases by progressive
rock band Tool. Fabulous Disaster, the groups third full
length album, was released in 1989. A music video for
the song "The Toxic Waltz" would receive consistent rotation on MTV's Headbangers Ball.[8] While promoting
Fabulous Disaster, Exodus embarked on the Headbangers
Ball tour with Anthrax and Helloween, which brought the
band to a new audience.
After the success of Fabulous Disaster, Exodus was
signed to Capitol Records in early 1990, who released the
bands fourth album Impact is Imminent later that year.
Prior to recording the album, Tom Hunting was replaced
by John Tempesta on drums. In 1991, the band released
their rst live album, Good Friendly Violent Fun, which
was recorded during their 1989 tour.

1.3

Force of Habit, hiatus, and temporary

return (19912000)

Vocalist Steve Zetro Souza, who replaced Paul Balo, was a

member of Exodus from 1986 to 1993, and again from 2002 to
2004. He rejoined the band in 2014.

The band recorded their rst album Bonded by Blood in

the summer of 1984. Audio engineering college student
Mark Whitaker, who had attended high school with Paul
Balo, oversaw management and record production for
the band at the time. 1984 concert photos from Exodus shows at Aquatic Park's Eastern Front Metal Festival
(with Slayer and Suicidal Tendencies) and Ruthies Inn
(with Megadeth and Slayer) were included on the album
sleeve inserts. Originally titled A Lesson in Violence,
the album was not released until April 1985 amidst creative and business setbacks. Whilst Bonded By Blood is
considered a highly inuential thrash metal album today,
critics have regarded the delay in its release as having jeopradized the impact the album could have had. As Allmusic reviewer Eduardo Rivadavia would later write in
his review for the album: Had it been released immediately after it was recorded in 1984, Exodus Bonded by
Blood might be regarded today alongside Metallica's Kill
'Em All as one of the landmark albums responsible for
launching the thrash metal wave.[7] Shortly after touring
for Bonded by Blood, Paul Balo was red from the band
and replaced by Steve Zetro Souza, who had previously

Jack Gibson joined Exodus in 1997 as bassist and has been with
the group ever since.

After the release of Good Friendly Violent Fun, the band

toured sporadically for a year. Bassist McKillop was re-

1.5

Lineup change and next three albums (20052013)

placed by Michael Butler before the group recorded and

released their next studio album titled Force of Habit in
1992. This album was something of a departure from the
bands signature sound, containing several slower, heavier songs with less emphasis on the speed/thrash aspect
of their older material. The 11-minute song Architect
of Pain is a good example of the change of direction,
having a much slower, grindier feel than the usual high
tempo thrash they had become known for.
After touring for Force of Habit was completed, behind
the scenes issues as well as a changing musical environment prompted the band to split up. However, after only
a few years of dormancy, Holt and Hunolt reunited with
singer Paul Balo and drummer Tom Hunting along with
new bassist Jack Gibson. They released a live album in
1997 titled Another Lesson in Violence. However, the
group disbanded again the following year, in part due to a
falling out with record label Century Media over the way
promotion for the live album was handled, and over an
aborted attempt at a live concert video which was lmed
but never released due to a nancial dispute.

1.4

Vocalist Rob Dukes was one of three new members to join Exodus

Second reformation, death of Paul in 2005. He was part of the band until 2014.
Balo and Tempo of the Damned
(20012004)
of Souza, claiming he had suddenly left the band on tour

In 2001, Exodus reformed once again, initially to play the

Chuck Billy benet Thrash of the Titans concert. There
was talk of recording a new studio album and the band
continued to play shows in and around the San Francisco
Bay Area.
However, in February 2002 Paul Balo died after suering a stroke. Former vocalist Steve Souza was brought
back into the band to nish the rest of their concert
commitments. Although it appeared to outsiders that
with Balos death Exodus would cease to exist, guitarist Gary Holt was determined to release a new studio album. The result was 2004s Tempo of the Damned
released on Nuclear Blast Records. An oddity of the
recording sessions was that one track, Crime of the Century, was dropped under mysterious circumstances. The
song chronicled Exoduss time under Century Media (of
which Nuclear Blast is a subsidiary). Although it was publicly denied, rumors swirled that Century Media forced
the song o the record. Crime of the Century was replaced with Impaler, a song which was written when
Kirk Hammett was still in the band, and featured on the
Another Lesson in Violence live record.

1.5

only a day before they were due to leave for a show in

Mexico City.[10] He was replaced initially by Steev Esquivel (ex-Deance and Skinlab). The band eventually
found a more permanent replacement in Rob Dukes.
In 2005, Rick Hunolt left the band to focus on his
family.[11] He was replaced by Heathen guitarist Lee Altus. Tom Hunting also took leave of the band following a re-occurrence of the nervous problems that led to
his temporary departure in 1989. Hunting was replaced
with Paul Bostaph who had previously played with Slayer
and Testament. The revamped lineup released the album
Shovel Headed Kill Machine in 2005. The tour for the album led to extensive travel of the US, Europe, and Japan,
as well as their rst-ever visit to Australia.
Tom Hunting returned to the band in March 2007 in
time to record and release their 8th studio album The
Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A. They performed at the
Wacken Open Air Festival in the summer of 2008. In
April 2009, Exodus embarked on a co-headlining North
American tour with Kreator and also featuring Belphegor,
Warbringer, and Epicurean. Exodus then went on tour
supporting Arch Enemy along with Arsis and Mutiny
Within.
Exodus released a re-recording of their 1985 debut album

Lineup change and next three albums Bonded by Blood entitled Let There Be Blood. Gary Holt
(20052013)
released the following statement about the bands deci-

sion to revisit their debut album: After many years in

Steve Souza left the band due to long-standing business the planning and discussion stage, we have nally comand personal dierences in 2004.[9] Gary Holt subse- pleted the re-recording of 'Bonded By Blood'. We have
quently issued a statement in which he was heavily critical decided to call it 'Let There Be Blood' and it is our way

4
of paying homage to [late singer] Paul Balo by showing how relevant these songs we had written together still
are. We aren't trying to replace the original; thats impossible anyway. We are just giving these songs the benet
of modern production. Its something we talked about
before Pauls death and its always been important to us
to do. We were super excited about entering the studio
once again to record these classics, and now its back to
writing the next studio record!"
The album Exhibit B: The Human Condition was recorded
in northern California with British producer Andy Sneap
(Megadeth, Arch Enemy, Kreator) and released on Nuclear Blast Records in May 2010.[12] It was announced in
January 2010 that Exodus was to be on Megadeth's Rust
in Peace 20th Anniversary tour along with Testament.
Exodus was featured on the cover of Decibel magazines
June 2010 issue, with a feature article on them.

3 DISCOGRAPHY
dio album.[16][17][18] On March 27, it was announced that
the band entered the studio and were well into recording
drum tracks, and the album was expected for a fall 2014
release.

1.6 Reunion with Steve Souza, Blood In,

Blood Out and next album (2014
present)
On June 8, 2014, Exodus announced that Rob Dukes had
left the band,[19] and was replaced by Steve Souza, making this the second time he had rejoined the band.[20]
Souza recorded vocals on the new album; the bands rst
to feature him since 2004s Tempo of the Damned.[21][22]
On June 26, 2014, Exodus announced on their ocial
website that the album would be called Blood In, Blood
Out,[23] and it was released on October 14.[24] Blood In,
Blood Out received positive reviews from music critics
upon its release, and peaked at #38 on the Billboard 200,
making it the bands highest chart position so far.[25]
Exodus performed at the Australian Soundwave Festival 2015, which was held across two weekends.[26] In
April and May 2015, Exodus (along with Shattered Sun)
supported Testament on their Dark Roots of Thrash II
tour.[27] Exodus then toured around Europe in June, including two nights at the Underworld in London.

Exodus at 2012 Hellfest. This was one of the bands rst shows
with former guitarist Rick Hunolt (far right) in seven years.

In a July 2015 interview with Metal Wani, Souza revealed

that, due to Exodus upcoming tour schedule, which will
last until the fall of 2016, and Holts commitments with
Slayer, the band is not expected to begin work on their
next album until least 2017.[28]

2 Band members

Exodus co-headlined with Kreator, Suicidal Angels and

Death Angel on the Thrashfest 2010 tour in late 2010
and were one of the headlining bands at Wacken Open 2.1
Air 2011.

Timeline

Exodus toured with Rob Zombie and Slayer in 2011 on 3 Discography

their Hell on Earth tour as the opening act. Gary Holt
lled in for Slayer guitarist Je Hanneman during the tour Main article: Exodus discography
after Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis caused by
a spider bite.[13] Holt lled in for Hanneman again on their
next tour in the summer of 2012. When Exodus toured
Bonded by Blood (1985)
in the summer of 2012, guitarist Rick Hunolt (who left
in 2005) lled in for Holt. Cannibal Corpse guitarist Pat
Pleasures of the Flesh (1987)
O'Brien also lled in for Holt during this time.[14]
Fabulous Disaster (1989)
On February 4, 2012 a Paul Balo Memorial Reunion
Concert was held at the Oakland Metro Opera House.
Impact Is Imminent (1990)
Former and current members included Kirk Hammett,
Force of Habit (1992)
Rick Hunolt, Gary Holt, Geo Andrews, Lee Altus, Rob
Dukes, Tom Hunting and Jack Gibson. It was the rst
Tempo of the Damned (2004)
time they had all played together since 1983. The band
[15]
and for the
was conrmed for the Graspop Festival
Shovel Headed Kill Machine (2005)
Hellfest in June 2012. By the summer of 2012, Exodus had begun writing new material for their tenth stu The Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A (2007)

5
Exhibit B: The Human Condition (2010)
Blood In, Blood Out (2014)

References

[1] Wall, Mick (May 10, 2011). Enter Night: A Biography of

Metallica (page 119). St. Martins Press. ISBN 0-31264989-4.

[23] Exodus Announces Exclusive VIP Packs for Upcoming

Slayer Tour w/ Special Guests Suicidal Tendencies and
Exodus. exodusattack.com. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 29
June 2014.
[24] Exodus To Release 'Blood In, Blood Out' Album In October. Blabbermouth.net. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July
2014.
[25] Exodus 'Blood In Blood Out' Cracks U.S. Top 40.
Blabbermouth.net. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2014.

[2] Exodus To Release 'Blood In, Blood Out' Album In October. gibson.com. 5 June 2011. Retrieved 12 October
2014.

[26] wookubus (December 22, 2014). Steel Panther, Exodus,

Falling In Reverse, Etc. Added To 2015 'Soundwave Festival'".

[3] Legendary metal band Exodus, formed in Richmond, set

to release 10th studio album. richmondstandard.com. 24
September 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2014.

[27] Testament And Exodus To Join Forces For 'Dark Roots

Of Thrash II' Tour. Blabbermouth.net. 17 February
2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.

[4]

[28] STEVE 'ZETRO' SOUZA Is 'Having A Blast' Being

Back In EXODUS. Blabbermouth.net. 18 July 2015.
Retrieved 18 July 2015.

[5] MUSICMIGHT::PERSON::CARLTON MELSON.

[6] MUSICMIGHT::PERSON::GEOFF ANDREWS.
[7] Allmusic review

5 External links

[8] The History of American Thrash. Revolver.com. Retrieved September 19, 2015.

Ocial site

[9] Singer ZETRO SOUZA Quits EXODUS (Again)".

Ocial MySpace page

[10] EXODUS Guitarist: 'Fat-Ass ZETRO SOUZA Is 'Human Crap'".

[11] http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/
exodus-confirm-guitarist-rick-hunolt-s-departure/
[12] EXODUS: New Album Pushed Back To May.
[13] SLAYER With EXODUS Guitarist GARY HOLT.
[14] Exodus to Be Joined By Former Guitarist Rick Hunolt
on Upcoming Tour Dates.
[15] . Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Published May 9,
2012
[16] EXODUS Bassist On RANDY BLYTHE Concert Incident: 'If You Come On Stage, You're Trespassing'".
[17] EXODUS Taps HEATHEN Guitarist KRAGEN LUM
For Select European Shows.
[18] EXODUS Frontman Talks Next Album (Video)".
[19] Exodus Parts Ways With Singer Rob Dukes.
[20] Its Ocial: Singer Steve 'Zetro' Souza Is Back In Exdous.
[21] Steve 'Zetro' Souza To Begin Recording Vocals For New
Exodus Album This Week.
[22] Steve 'Zetro' Souza: 'A Lot Went Into My Decision' To
Rejoin Exodus.

Exodus Gary Holt interview @ Metalfan.ro English

6 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

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