The Bay Area thrash titans EXODUS have finally unveiled their twelfth studio album, “Goliath,” scheduled for release on March 20, 2026, via Napalm Records. The band dropped the music video for the title track today, and apparently, they’ve decided to slow things down just enough to make your neck pain actually manageable this time.
In a shocking turn of events, EXODUS has continued to exist and create music over 40 years after their debut, somehow managing to avoid the dreaded mediocrity that claims most bands who’ve been around longer than your average marriage. The album marks the glorious return of Rob Dukes as lead vocalist, because apparently one Steve “Zetro” Souza wasn’t causing enough drama in the band’s revolving door policy.
The band describes “Goliath” as “the heaviest thing we’ve ever done” while simultaneously being “as close to doom metal as EXODUS gets.” This is metal speak for “we finally learned what a tempo below 200 BPM sounds like.” They’ve also enlisted violinist Katie Jacoby for 18 tracks of string work, proving that even in thrash metal, someone’s mom insisted they learn a real instrument.
EXODUS claims this is their most collaborative record ever, featuring songs written by several band members and guest contributions from Peter Tägtgren of HYPOCRISY and PAIN fame. Because when you think thrash metal, you immediately think of Swedish melodic death metal pioneers, right?
The track listing reads like a fever dream of a metalhead who’s been awake for 72 hours:
1. 3111 (presumably the year they’ll finally retire)
2. Hostis Humani Generis (Latin for “we still own a thesaurus”)
3. The Changing Me (featuring Tägtgren, because why not)
4. Promise You This (and deliver 0.5% of it)
5. Goliath (featuring strings, because metal is evolving)
6. Beyond The Event Horizon (or “we watched Interstellar during writing sessions”)
7. 2 Minutes Hate (sponsored by Big Brother)
8. Violence Works (as proven by their continued existence)
9. Summon Of The God Unknown (or “we needed a nine-minute track”)
10. The Dirtiest Of The Dozen (FINALLY, a track about EXODUS fans)
Guitarist Gary Holt, who apparently hasn’t slept since 1981, revealed they recorded nearly two albums’ worth of material during these sessions. Because nothing says “we value quality over quantity” like writing 20 songs and releasing them all within months of each other.
Holt also mentioned they “fell a little bit short” of their goal for the second album, having only completed eight songs. The horror! How will they survive with just eight more songs waiting in the wings?
The album was mixed by Mark Lewis instead of Andy Sneap, marking the first time in nearly three decades that someone else touched their sound. It’s rumored Sneap finally demanded a vacation after 30 years of making EXODUS sound like EXODUS.
Rob Dukes, who’s returned like a boomerang that refuses to quit, claims this is “the best thing I’ve ever done with EXODUS.” Which is saying something, considering his previous work includes “Shovel Headed Kill Machine” and “The Atrocity Exhibition.” At this point, we’re just waiting for the album titled “Rob Dukes’ Greatest Hits Featuring EXODUS.”
Despite rarely being mentioned alongside the “Big Four” of thrash (METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER, and ANTHRAX), EXODUS’s debut “Bonded By Blood” apparently inspired TESTAMENT, DEATH ANGEL, and VIO-LENCE to form. So while they may not be in the top tier, they’re definitely the cool uncle who showed everyone how to properly headbang.
Fans can watch the music videos for “3111” and “Goliath” on YouTube, where they’ll witness EXODUS proving that aging thrashers can still jump around and pretend their knees don’t hurt. The videos were directed by Jim Louvau, who previously worked on their “The Fires Of Division” video, proving that once you find someone who can make a bunch of middle-aged men look cool, you stick with them.
In conclusion, EXODUS continues to prove that they’re not dead yet, delivering what they promise is their most dynamic, collaborative, and varied album to date. Whether “Goliath” will actually slay or just mildly inconvenience the metal community remains to be seen, but one thing’s for certain: EXODUS isn’t going gently into that good night. They’re going thrashing, screaming, and probably complaining about streaming royalties all the way.
