So, guess what, losers? EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt, the guy who definitely doesn’t regret not being in the “Big Four,” graced us with his presence at the Aftershock festival in Sacramento, California. He yapped to Baby Huey and Chasta from that super-important radio station 107.7 The Bone about their new album. Apparently, it’s been “done” for a month, but they just keep tinkering with it because, you know, they have so much free time and nothing better to do.🙄 He said, and I quote (because BLABBERMOUTH.NET is so crucial for transcribing these earth-shattering words): “New album will be done today.” Groundbreaking stuff, folks. Truly.
And what can we expect from this masterpiece, tentatively dropping next March via Napalm Records? Oh, just “something else, man…” 🙄 Holt claims it’s “crushing” and “all anthems.” Every song, an anthem? Yeah, okay, Gary. I’m sure it’s totally not just a bunch of recycled riffs and the same old thrash metal tropes we’ve heard a million times before. “We’re super proud of this record,” he says. Translation: “We’re hoping this will finally get us out of playing dingy clubs and maybe, just maybe, open for a real band.”
But wait, there’s more! Gary, in his infinite wisdom, also revealed that they’ve recorded nearly two albums’ worth of material. Because who needs quality when you can just churn out more quantity? “We have 80 percent of the next follow-up done,” he declared. “We started recording March 2nd, and I’ve been home four weeks till today. We stopped recording and we were on tour the next day. We went to Europe, and we were home for two weeks. Then we went on [tour] in the States. I was home two weeks, [went] to Europe, and then I went and joined SLAYER for [the summer 2025 shows]. And then I came home for two more weeks. So I’m exhausted.” Poor Gary! Touring the world and playing music. Such a hard life. 😭 Maybe he should try a real job for a change.
Apparently, some dude named Mark Lewis, who’s worked with bands like MEGADETH (back when they were relevant), WHITECHAPEL (who?), DEVILDRIVER (seriously?) and BAD WOLVES (oh, the horror!), is mixing this sonic diarrhea. 🤮
And get this: for the first time in almost 30 years, EXODUS isn’t using Andy Sneap to mix their album. 🤯 Yeah, the same Andy Sneap who’s basically JUDAS PRIEST‘s personal assistant these days. Gary even whined on Instagram about it, saying Andy told them to “venture out of our comfort zone.” Translation: “Andy got tired of dealing with our mediocre songs.”
But the real kicker? This is the first EXODUS album since Steve “Zetro” Souza got the boot (again!) and they decided to bring back Rob Dukes. Yes, Rob Dukes, the guy who nobody remembers and who probably spends his days wondering where his career went wrong. 🤔
Dukes, bless his heart, did an interview with some obscure Chicago radio station called Rebel Radio 92.5 FM and gushed about how “killer” the new material is. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done with EXODUS,” he claimed. Right, because everyone remembers all those other “amazing” things he did with EXODUS. 🙄 He went on to say that they’ve “stepped outside the box a little bit.” Translation: “We added a clean guitar intro to one song.” 🎸
A quick recap for those who don’t follow the EXODUS revolving door of singers: Souza joined in 1986, left in 1993, rejoined in 2002, left again in 2004, Dukes joined in 2005, and then Souza rejoined in 2014 before finally getting the axe again. Got it? Good. 🥴
And just in case you were wondering, Dukes made his triumphant return to the EXODUS stage on April 5 at some metal and beer festival in Philadelphia. I’m sure the crowd went wild. 🙄
Back in June, Holt told some Serbian journalist that they recorded 18 songs for this project. EIGHTEEN! 🤪 Apparently, they’re planning to release them as two separate albums, because why not milk the cow for all it’s worth? 🐄 He even admitted that he wishes they had 20 songs done so they could just be “done” with it. Yeah, I’m sure everyone’s eagerly awaiting the next EXODUS album after this one.
Holt, bless his heart, also insisted that none of the songs are “fillers.” Right, because every EXODUS song is a masterpiece of thrash metal genius. 🤣 “They’re all amazing,” he claimed. “There are 18 songs, and they’re all totally awesome.” I’m sure the record label is thrilled.
He then went on a tangent about how old he’s getting (61, in case you were wondering) and how he needs a vacation. A vacation! The horror! 😱 Apparently, he’s never had a real vacation in his life, because, you know, playing guitar for a living is such a grueling job. 😓
When asked about the musical direction of the new material, Gary said it’s “100 percent EXODUS and at times 100 percent different.” So, basically, it’s exactly what you’d expect from EXODUS. He also threw in some buzzwords like “super heavy,” “super fast,” “super slow,” and “satanic, evil as fuck.” Because, you know, that’s what all the kids are into these days. 😈
And finally, Holt addressed Souza‘s departure and Dukes‘s return, saying there’s “no bad blood.” Right, because firing someone is always a pleasant experience. He claimed that Souza was “unhappy” and that it was bringing everyone’s spirits down. So, naturally, the solution was to bring back the guy who nobody remembers. Makes perfect sense. 👍
He also said that finding a new singer was never an option because he doesn’t like change. And we all know how innovative and forward-thinking EXODUS is.🙄 He even joked about hiring some young kid who has visible abs, but then realized he wouldn’t have anything in common with him. Because, you know, being in a band is all about having things in common. Not about, like, talent or anything. 🤦♂️
And let’s not forget the obligatory mention of how EXODUS never gets the recognition they deserve compared to the “Big Four.” Yeah, because “Bonded By Blood” is totally on par with “Master of Puppets” or “Rust in Peace.” Keep dreaming, Gary. 🤡
So, there you have it, folks. The inside scoop on the new EXODUS album that nobody asked for. Get ready for another dose of mediocre thrash metal that will probably be forgotten within a week of its release. 😴
