Exodus (band)
Encyclopedia
Exodus is an American thrash metal
band formed in 1980 in Richmond, California. Spanning a career of over 30 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members. Guitarist Gary Holt
remains the only constant member of the band, appearing on all their releases. Drummer Tom Hunting
is one of the founding members, and departed from the band twice but has since returned to the lineup.
With nine studio albums, two live albums and two compilations, Exodus has released a total of thirteen albums since their debut album Bonded by Blood
in 1985. The band had particular success in the late 1980s. Their first three albums Bonded by Blood, Pleasures of the Flesh
and Fabulous Disaster
, cemented Exodus' reputation as one of the more successful thrash metal bands. The critical praise given to Fabulous Disaster garnered attention from major labels, including Capitol Records
, with whom Exodus would eventually sign in 1990. Exodus released two more albums, Impact Is Imminent
and Force of Habit
, before disbanding in 1993. After a temporary return in 1997-1998, Exodus reformed for a second time in 2001, and since then they have released five more albums, the most recent being 2010's Exhibit B: The Human Condition
.
and Tim Agnello, drummer Tom Hunting
, bassist Carlton Melson, and vocalist Keith Stewart formed the initial lineup of Exodus. Hammett had named the band after Leon Uris
' 1958 novel of the same title
. Bassist Melson would soon be replaced by Jeff Andrews. Before long, Agnello would also leave the group (and music) to pursue a life of ministry
in Stockton, California
and would be replaced by Hammett's guitar technician Gary Holt
.
In 1981, Kirk Hammett met El Cerrito resident Paul Baloff
at a North Berkeley house party, a friendship that was started - according to aspiring guitarist Hammett - by both's admiration for punk rock and 1970s heavy metal music; Baloff would then take Stewart's place as vocalist. The quintet would record a demo tape the same year, a release which would be Hammett's only recording with the band. Jeff Andrews would leave immediately after the tape to start an early incarnation of pioneering death metal
band, Possessed
. In early 1983, Hammett left Exodus to join Metallica
and was eventually replaced long term by guitarist Rick Hunolt
.
in the summer of 1984. Audio engineering
college student Mark Whitaker
, who had attended high school with Paul Baloff, 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 Ruthie's 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. Shortly after touring for Bonded by Blood
, Paul Baloff was fired from the band and replaced by Steve "Zetro" Souza
, who had previously been the lead vocalist for Legacy, an early incarnation of Testament
. Baloff went on to form the band Piranha.
Exodus' line-up remained fairly stable for the next few albums, and the underground success attained with Bonded by Blood would lead to the group's signing to Sony/Combat Records
, who distributed the band's second effort Pleasures of the Flesh
in 1987. Fabulous Disaster
, the group's third full length album, was released in Europe in 1988 and in the US in 1989. A music video
for the song "The Toxic Waltz" would receive consistent rotation on MTV
's Headbangers Ball
in 1989.
After the success of Fabulous Disaster, Exodus was signed to Capitol Records
in early 1990, who released the band's 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 first live album, Good Friendly Violent Fun
, which was recorded during their 1989 tour.
in 1992. This album was a bit of a departure for the band, 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, being a much slower, grindier feel than the usual high speed thrash they were 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 go on indefinite hiatus.
After a few dormant years, Holt, Hunolt, and Hunting briefly reunited with singer Paul Baloff along with new bassist Jack Gibson. They released a live album in 1997 titled Another Lesson in Violence
. The group disbanded again shortly after, in part due to a falling out with record label Century Media over the way the live album was promoted, and over an aborted attempt at a live concert video which was filmed but never released due to a financial dispute.
benefit Thrash of the Titans
concert. There was talk of recording a new studio album and the band continued to play local gigs in and around the San Francisco Bay Area.
However, in February 2002 Paul Baloff suffered a seizure/stroke and died. Former vocalist Steve Souza was recruited back into the band to finish the rest of their concert commitments. Although it appeared to outsiders that with Baloff's death Exodus would cease to exist, guitarist Gary Holt was determined to release a new studio record. The result was 2004's 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 Exodus's time under Century Media (of which Nuclear Blast is a subsidiary). Although it was publicly denied, rumors swirled that Century Media forced the song off the record. "Crime" was replaced with "Impaler"; a song written back when Kirk Hammett was still in the band, and which was featured on the Another Lesson In Violence live record.
.
Tom Hunting 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
.
Steve Souza also left under disputed terms in 2005. He was replaced initially by Steev Esquivel (ex-Defiance
and Skinlab
). The band eventually found a more permanent replacement in Rob Dukes.
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 first-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 Bonded by Blood entitled Let There Be Blood
. Gary Holt released the following statement about the band's decision to revisit their debut album: "After many years in the planning and discussion stage, we have finally completed the re-recording of 'Bonded By Blood'. We have decided to call it 'Let There Be Blood' and it is our way of paying homage to [original, late singer] Paul Baloff by showing how relevant these songs we had written together still are. We aren't trying to replace the original; that's impossible anyway. We are just giving these songs the benefit of modern production. It's something we talked about before Paul's death and it's always been important to us to do. We were super excited about entering the studio once again to record these classics, and now it's 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. 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 magazine's June 2010 issue, with a feature article on them.
Exodus co-headlined with Kreator
, Suicidal Angels and Death Angel
on the Thrashfest 2010 tour in late 2010 and will be one of the headlining bands on the bill for Wacken Open Air 2011 (Announced 23 December 2010).
and Slayer in 2011 on their Hell on Earth tour as the opening act. Gary Holt filled in for Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman
during the tour after Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis
caused by a spider bite.
Guitarists
Bassists
Drummers
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band formed in 1980 in Richmond, California. Spanning a career of over 30 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members. Guitarist Gary Holt
Gary Holt (musician)
Gary Wayne Holt is an American guitarist from the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the lead guitarist of Exodus.-Biography:...
remains the only constant member of the band, appearing on all their releases. Drummer Tom Hunting
Tom Hunting
Tom Hunting is an American drummer, famous for his work with the band Exodus. He played on their first three albums, Bonded by Blood, Pleasures of the Flesh, and Fabulous Disaster...
is one of the founding members, and departed from the band twice but has since returned to the lineup.
With nine studio albums, two live albums and two compilations, Exodus has released a total of thirteen albums since their debut album Bonded by Blood
Bonded by Blood
For other uses of the phrase, see Bonded by Blood Bonded by Blood is the debut album by the San Francisco thrash metal band Exodus. Although the album was completed in the summer of 1984, it was not released until 1985 due to issues with Exodus and its record label...
in 1985. The band had particular success in the late 1980s. Their first three albums Bonded by Blood, Pleasures of the Flesh
Pleasures of the Flesh
-Band Line-Up:*Steve "Zetro" Souza -Vocals*Gary Holt - Guitars*Rick Hunolt - Guitars*Rob McKillop - Bass*Tom Hunting - Drums-Charts:Album - Billboard -Credits:...
and Fabulous Disaster
Fabulous Disaster
Fabulous Disaster is the third album by Exodus. UK label Music for Nations released the album in 1988, but in the USA, it was released in January 1989 by Combat/Relativity Records....
, cemented Exodus' reputation as one of the more successful thrash metal bands. The critical praise given to Fabulous Disaster garnered attention from major labels, including Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, with whom Exodus would eventually sign in 1990. Exodus released two more albums, Impact Is Imminent
Impact is Imminent
Impact Is Imminent is the fourth album by thrash metal band Exodus and their first with Capitol Records. This is the first album to feature John Tempesta on drums and is the last studio album to feature Rob McKillop on bass, though he would appear on their next live album, "Good Friendly Violent...
and Force of Habit
Force of Habit
-Band line-up:*Steve "Zetro" Souza - Vocals*Gary Holt - Guitars*Rick Hunolt - Guitars*Michael Butler - Bass*John Tempesta - Drums-Credits:* Recorded at Battery Studios, London, UK* Produced and engineered by Chris Tsangarides...
, before disbanding in 1993. After a temporary return in 1997-1998, Exodus reformed for a second time in 2001, and since then they have released five more albums, the most recent being 2010's Exhibit B: The Human Condition
Exhibit B: The Human Condition
-Charts & Certifications:-Personnel:*Rob Dukes – Vocals*Gary Holt – Lead and rhythm guitars*Lee Altus – Lead and rhythm guitars*Jack Gibson – Bass*Tom Hunting – Drums, Percussion*Brendon Small - Guitar solo on "Devil's Teeth"...
.
Formation and early years(1980–1983)
In 1980, guitarists Kirk HammettKirk Hammett
Kirk Lee Hammett is the lead guitarist and a songwriter in the heavy metal band Metallica and has been a member of the band since 1983. Before joining Metallica he formed and named the band Exodus. In 2003, Hammett was ranked 11th on Rolling Stones list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time...
and Tim Agnello, drummer Tom Hunting
Tom Hunting
Tom Hunting is an American drummer, famous for his work with the band Exodus. He played on their first three albums, Bonded by Blood, Pleasures of the Flesh, and Fabulous Disaster...
, bassist Carlton Melson, and vocalist Keith Stewart formed the initial lineup of Exodus. Hammett had named the band after Leon Uris
Leon Uris
Leon Marcus Uris was an American novelist, known for his historical fiction and the deep research that went into his novels. His two bestselling books were Exodus, published in 1958, and Trinity, in 1976.-Life:...
' 1958 novel of the same title
Exodus (novel)
Exodus by American novelist Leon Uris is about the founding of the State of Israel. Published in 1958, it is based on the name of the 1947 immigration ship Exodus....
. Bassist Melson would soon be replaced by Jeff Andrews. Before long, Agnello would also leave the group (and music) to pursue a life of ministry
Christian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
in Stockton, California
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
and would be replaced by Hammett's guitar technician Gary Holt
Gary Holt (musician)
Gary Wayne Holt is an American guitarist from the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the lead guitarist of Exodus.-Biography:...
.
In 1981, Kirk Hammett met El Cerrito resident Paul Baloff
Paul Baloff
Paul Baloff was an American singer, most notable for his time in thrash metal band Exodus.Paul was the second vocalist with Exodus replacing Keith Stewart in 1981 and singing on their 1982 Demo and their first official album Bonded by Blood in 1985. After the release, they started the...
at a North Berkeley house party, a friendship that was started - according to aspiring guitarist Hammett - by both's admiration for punk rock and 1970s heavy metal music; Baloff would then take Stewart's place as vocalist. The quintet would record a demo tape the same year, a release which would be Hammett's only recording with the band. Jeff Andrews would leave immediately after the tape to start an early incarnation of pioneering death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
band, Possessed
Possessed (band)
Possessed is an American death metal band, originally formed in 1983. Noted for their fast style of playing and Jeff Becerra's guttural vocals, they are routinely called the first band in the death metal genre...
. In early 1983, Hammett left Exodus to join Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
and was eventually replaced long term by guitarist Rick Hunolt
Rick Hunolt
Rick Hunolt is an American heavy metal guitarist who is best known for being the long time guitarist in thrash metal band Exodus. He joined the band in 1983, replacing Mike Maung who had been hired to replace original guitarist Kirk Hammett who left to join Metallica...
.
Bonded By Blood and rise in popularity (1984-1991)
The band recorded their first album Bonded by BloodBonded by Blood
For other uses of the phrase, see Bonded by Blood Bonded by Blood is the debut album by the San Francisco thrash metal band Exodus. Although the album was completed in the summer of 1984, it was not released until 1985 due to issues with Exodus and its record label...
in the summer of 1984. Audio engineering
Audio engineering
An audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
college student Mark Whitaker
Mark Whitaker (music producer)
Mark Whitaker is a San Francisco Bay Area-based music producer who was the manager of Exodus and sound engineer of Metallica in the 1980s. Whitaker acted as a producer on Exodus’ debut album Bonded by Blood and partly on their second effort Pleasures of the Flesh . He managed former Exodus...
, who had attended high school with Paul Baloff, oversaw management and record production for the band at the time.
1984 concert photos from Exodus shows at Aquatic Park
Aquatic Park (Berkeley)
Aquatic Park is a public park in Berkeley, California, United States, located just east of the Eastshore Freeway between Ashby and University Avenues. The park was created in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration, simultaneous with its work on the nearby Berkeley Yacht Harbor...
's Eastern Front Metal Festival (with Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
and Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies is a U.S. crossover thrash band founded in 1981 in Venice, Los Angeles, California by Mike Muir, its leader and only permanent member. The band is sometimes credited as one of "the fathers of crossover thrash"...
) and Ruthie's Inn (with Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
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. Shortly after touring for Bonded by Blood
Bonded by Blood
For other uses of the phrase, see Bonded by Blood Bonded by Blood is the debut album by the San Francisco thrash metal band Exodus. Although the album was completed in the summer of 1984, it was not released until 1985 due to issues with Exodus and its record label...
, Paul Baloff was fired from the band and replaced by Steve "Zetro" Souza
Steve Souza
Steve 'Zetro' Souza is one of the two singers, with Chuck Billy, for the band Dublin Death Patrol. He also sings for the death/thrash metal band Tenet, and recently announced his new thrash metal project Hatriot...
, who had previously been the lead vocalist for Legacy, an early incarnation of Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
. Baloff went on to form the band Piranha.
Exodus' line-up remained fairly stable for the next few albums, and the underground success attained with Bonded by Blood would lead to the group's signing to Sony/Combat Records
Combat Records
Combat Records was an independent record label from New York City. The label was home to predominantly metal and punk rock acts including Megadeth, Circle Jerks, Nuclear Assault, Death, Dead Brain Cells, Possessed, Crumbsuckers, Agnostic Front, Agent Steel, Dark Angel, Heathen, Zoetrope and...
, who distributed the band's second effort Pleasures of the Flesh
Pleasures of the Flesh
-Band Line-Up:*Steve "Zetro" Souza -Vocals*Gary Holt - Guitars*Rick Hunolt - Guitars*Rob McKillop - Bass*Tom Hunting - Drums-Charts:Album - Billboard -Credits:...
in 1987. Fabulous Disaster
Fabulous Disaster
Fabulous Disaster is the third album by Exodus. UK label Music for Nations released the album in 1988, but in the USA, it was released in January 1989 by Combat/Relativity Records....
, the group's third full length album, was released in Europe in 1988 and in the US in 1989. A music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the song "The Toxic Waltz" would receive consistent rotation on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball is a music television program consisting of heavy metal music videos airing on MTV2, MTV Australia, MTV Two , MTV Adria , MTV Brand New, MTV Portugal, MTV Finland, MTV Arabia, MTV Norway, MTV Sweden, MTV Denmark, MTV Greece, MTV Türkiye, MTV...
in 1989.
After the success of Fabulous Disaster, Exodus was signed to Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
in early 1990, who released the band's fourth album Impact is Imminent
Impact is Imminent
Impact Is Imminent is the fourth album by thrash metal band Exodus and their first with Capitol Records. This is the first album to feature John Tempesta on drums and is the last studio album to feature Rob McKillop on bass, though he would appear on their next live album, "Good Friendly Violent...
later that year. Prior to recording the album, Tom Hunting was replaced by John Tempesta
John Tempesta
John Tempesta is a heavy metal drummer who has worked several bands including: Exodus, Testament and White Zombie. He also played with former White Zombie singer Rob Zombie as a solo artist and served as drum technician for heavy metal band Anthrax earlier in his career...
on drums. In 1991, the band released their first live album, Good Friendly Violent Fun
Good Friendly Violent Fun
Good Friendly Violent Fun is a live album by thrash metal band Exodus.-Track listing:# Fabulous Disaster - 5:46# Chemi-Kill - 6:09# 'Til Death Do Us Part - 5:07# The Toxic Waltz - 4:39# Cajun Hell - 5:55# Corruption - 5:37# Brain Dead - 4:31...
, which was recorded during their 1989 tour.
Force of Habit, hiatus, and temporary return (1991–2000)
After the release of Good Friendly Violent Fun, the band toured sporadically for a year. Bassist McKillop was replaced by Michael Butler before the group recorded and released their next studio album titled Force of HabitForce of Habit
-Band line-up:*Steve "Zetro" Souza - Vocals*Gary Holt - Guitars*Rick Hunolt - Guitars*Michael Butler - Bass*John Tempesta - Drums-Credits:* Recorded at Battery Studios, London, UK* Produced and engineered by Chris Tsangarides...
in 1992. This album was a bit of a departure for the band, 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, being a much slower, grindier feel than the usual high speed thrash they were 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 go on indefinite hiatus.
After a few dormant years, Holt, Hunolt, and Hunting briefly reunited with singer Paul Baloff along with new bassist Jack Gibson. They released a live album in 1997 titled Another Lesson in Violence
Another Lesson in Violence
Another Lesson in Violence is a live album by the thrash metal band Exodus.This album features a huge line-up change for Exodus. Paul Baloff returns on vocals who originally left after Bonded by Blood. Tom Hunting returns after taking ill just before the Fabulous Disaster tour in 1989. This is also...
. The group disbanded again shortly after, in part due to a falling out with record label Century Media over the way the live album was promoted, and over an aborted attempt at a live concert video which was filmed but never released due to a financial dispute.
Second reformation (2001–2004)
In 2001, Exodus reformed once again, initially to play the Chuck BillyChuck Billy (vocalist)
Chuck Billy is an American vocalist, who is best known as the vocalist for the thrash metal band Testament.-Testament:Chuck Billy replaced Steve "Zetro" Souza, future Exodus vocalist, in the mid-1980s when the band was still called Legacy. Following his arrival, Testament released their first...
benefit Thrash of the Titans
Thrash of the Titans
Thrash of the Titans was a benefit concert held on August 11, 2001 at the Maritime Hall in San Francisco, CA. The concert was a co-benefit for Testament vocalist Chuck Billy, who was diagnosed with germ cell seminoma ; and Chuck Schuldiner, leader of the death metal band Death, who was also...
concert. There was talk of recording a new studio album and the band continued to play local gigs in and around the San Francisco Bay Area.
However, in February 2002 Paul Baloff suffered a seizure/stroke and died. Former vocalist Steve Souza was recruited back into the band to finish the rest of their concert commitments. Although it appeared to outsiders that with Baloff's death Exodus would cease to exist, guitarist Gary Holt was determined to release a new studio record. The result was 2004's Tempo of the Damned
Tempo of the Damned
Tempo of the Damned is the sixth album by thrash metal band Exodus. It marked their first full-length album of new material in over 11 years, the last being Force of Habit released in 1992....
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 Exodus's time under Century Media (of which Nuclear Blast is a subsidiary). Although it was publicly denied, rumors swirled that Century Media forced the song off the record. "Crime" was replaced with "Impaler"; a song written back when Kirk Hammett was still in the band, and which was featured on the Another Lesson In Violence live record.
Rob Dukes era (2005–onward)
In 2005, Rick Hunolt decided to leave the band to concentrate on his family life. He was replaced by former Heathen guitarist Lee AltusLee Altus
Lee Altus is an American heavy metal guitarist. Altus first came to public attention in the mid-80s with his original band, Heathen, where Altus displayed his highly technical neoclassical guitar playing style...
.
Tom Hunting 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
Paul Bostaph
Paul Bostaph is a heavy metal drummer. His drumming career began in 1984, when he was 20 years old, and he had since worked with bands like Slayer, Forbidden, Exodus and Systematic. He is from Newark, California and currently drums for Testament...
who had previously played with Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
and Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
.
Steve Souza also left under disputed terms in 2005. He was replaced initially by Steev Esquivel (ex-Defiance
Defiance (band)
Defiance is a thrash metal band from Oakland, California. While virtually unknown to mainstream metal and rock circles, Defiance is known as one of the classic second-tier thrash bands to come from the Bay Area thrash metal scene...
and Skinlab
Skinlab
Skinlab is a groove metal band formed in 1994 in San Francisco, California by vocalist/bassist Steev Esquivel and guitarist Mike Roberts, now with San Francisco Bay Areas RAZE the STRAY, guitarist Gary Wendt Skinlab is a groove metal band formed in 1994 in San Francisco, California by...
). The band eventually found a more permanent replacement in Rob Dukes.
The revamped lineup released the album Shovel Headed Kill Machine
Shovel Headed Kill Machine
Shovel Headed Kill Machine is the seventh studio album by the American thrash metal band Exodus, released on October 4, 2005 through Nuclear Blast. This album contains a huge shift in the lineup for Exodus...
in 2005. The tour for the album led to extensive travel of the US, Europe, and Japan, as well as their first-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
The Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A
The Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A is the eighth studio album by thrash metal band Exodus, released on October 23, 2007. This is the second album featuring Rob Dukes on vocals, but it also marks the second comeback of longtime original Exodus drummer Tom Hunting. Hunting's last appearance was on...
. They performed at the Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
Festival in the summer of 2008. In April 2009, Exodus embarked on a co-headlining North American tour with Kreator
Kreator
Kreator is a thrash metal band from Essen, Germany, formed in 1978, but formalized in 1982 under the name Tormentor. They originally performed a speed metal style with Venom influences. Their style of music is similar to their compatriots Destruction and Sodom, the other two big German thrash metal...
and also featuring Belphegor
Belphegor (band)
Belphegor is a blackened death metal band from Salzburg, Austria. They originally formed in 1991 under the name Betrayer before changing their name in 1993. They are named after the demon Belphegor.-Early years :...
, Warbringer
Warbringer
Warbringer is an American thrash metal band. The band formed in 2004. Warbringer is signed to Century Media Records. Century Media signed Warbringer after seeing them at a local show in LA. Originally, a Century Media rep was at the show to see another LA thrash metal band but decided to sign...
, and Epicurean. Exodus then went on tour supporting Arch Enemy along with Arsis and Mutiny Within
Mutiny Within
Mutiny Within was a metal band from Edison, New Jersey. The band was formed in 2002 by bassist Andrew Jacobs originally as a Children of Bodom cover band. They disbanded in 2011.-Formation :...
.
Exodus released a re-recording of their 1985 debut album Bonded by Blood entitled Let There Be Blood
Let There Be Blood
Let There Be Blood is a re-recording of Exodus's 1985 album Bonded by Blood, featuring their modern lineup. The only band members who play on both Bonded by Blood and Let There Be Blood are guitarist Gary Holt and drummer Tom Hunting...
. Gary Holt released the following statement about the band's decision to revisit their debut album: "After many years in the planning and discussion stage, we have finally completed the re-recording of 'Bonded By Blood'. We have decided to call it 'Let There Be Blood' and it is our way of paying homage to [original, late singer] Paul Baloff by showing how relevant these songs we had written together still are. We aren't trying to replace the original; that's impossible anyway. We are just giving these songs the benefit of modern production. It's something we talked about before Paul's death and it's always been important to us to do. We were super excited about entering the studio once again to record these classics, and now it's back to writing the next studio record!"
The album Exhibit B: The Human Condition
Exhibit B: The Human Condition
-Charts & Certifications:-Personnel:*Rob Dukes – Vocals*Gary Holt – Lead and rhythm guitars*Lee Altus – Lead and rhythm guitars*Jack Gibson – Bass*Tom Hunting – Drums, Percussion*Brendon Small - Guitar solo on "Devil's Teeth"...
was recorded in northern California with British producer Andy Sneap (Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, Arch Enemy, Kreator
Kreator
Kreator is a thrash metal band from Essen, Germany, formed in 1978, but formalized in 1982 under the name Tormentor. They originally performed a speed metal style with Venom influences. Their style of music is similar to their compatriots Destruction and Sodom, the other two big German thrash metal...
) and released on Nuclear Blast Records in May 2010. It was announced in January 2010 that Exodus was to be on Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
's Rust in Peace
Rust in Peace
Rust in Peace is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth. Released on September 24, 1990, it was the third Megadeth album distributed through Capitol Records. The album was the band's only collaboration with record producer Mike Clink who was the first producer to...
20th Anniversary tour along with Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
. Exodus was featured on the cover of Decibel magazine's June 2010 issue, with a feature article on them.
Exodus co-headlined with Kreator
Kreator
Kreator is a thrash metal band from Essen, Germany, formed in 1978, but formalized in 1982 under the name Tormentor. They originally performed a speed metal style with Venom influences. Their style of music is similar to their compatriots Destruction and Sodom, the other two big German thrash metal...
, Suicidal Angels and Death Angel
Death Angel
Death Angel is a Filipino-American thrash metal band from Concord, California, initially active from 1982 to 1991 and again since 2001. Death Angel has released six studio albums, two demo tapes, one box set and two live albums....
on the Thrashfest 2010 tour in late 2010 and will be one of the headlining bands on the bill for Wacken Open Air 2011 (Announced 23 December 2010).
Recent Events
Exodus toured with Rob ZombieRob Zombie
Rob Zombie is an American musician, film director, screenwriter and film producer. He founded the heavy metal band White Zombie and has been nominated three times as a solo artist for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.Zombie has also established a career as a film director, creating the...
and Slayer in 2011 on their Hell on Earth tour as the opening act. Gary Holt filled in for Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman
Jeff Hanneman
Jeffrey John "Jeff" Hanneman is a rhythm/lead guitarist and founding member of the American thrash metal band Slayer. Hanneman grew up in Los Angeles in a family of war veterans, and his fascination with warfare is attributed to his upbringing...
during the tour after Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis , commonly known as flesh-eating disease or Flesh-eating bacteria syndrome, is a rare infection of the deeper layers of skin and subcutaneous tissues, easily spreading across the fascial plane within the subcutaneous tissue.Necrotizing fasciitis is a quickly progressing and...
caused by a spider bite.
Current members
- Rob DukesRob DukesRob Dukes is the current vocalist for the American thrash metal band Exodus, and vocalist for his crossover thrash project Generation Kill-Early life:...
– vocals (2005–present) - Gary HoltGary Holt (musician)Gary Wayne Holt is an American guitarist from the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the lead guitarist of Exodus.-Biography:...
– guitars (1980–1993, 1997–1998, 2001–present) - Lee AltusLee AltusLee Altus is an American heavy metal guitarist. Altus first came to public attention in the mid-80s with his original band, Heathen, where Altus displayed his highly technical neoclassical guitar playing style...
– guitars (2005–present) - Jack Gibson – bass (1997–1998, 2001–present)
- Tom HuntingTom HuntingTom Hunting is an American drummer, famous for his work with the band Exodus. He played on their first three albums, Bonded by Blood, Pleasures of the Flesh, and Fabulous Disaster...
– drums (1980–1989, 1997–1998, 2001–2004, 2007–present)
Former members
Vocalists- Keith Stewart (1980) (rehearsals)
- Paul BaloffPaul BaloffPaul Baloff was an American singer, most notable for his time in thrash metal band Exodus.Paul was the second vocalist with Exodus replacing Keith Stewart in 1981 and singing on their 1982 Demo and their first official album Bonded by Blood in 1985. After the release, they started the...
(1982–1986, 1997–1998, 2001–2002) - Steve SouzaSteve SouzaSteve 'Zetro' Souza is one of the two singers, with Chuck Billy, for the band Dublin Death Patrol. He also sings for the death/thrash metal band Tenet, and recently announced his new thrash metal project Hatriot...
(1986–1993, 2002–2004) - Matt Harvey (2004) (one show)
- Steev EsquivelSteev EsquivelSteev Esquivel is a Mexican-American heavy metal vocalist and bassist. He is best known for his work in the metal band Skinlab. He also has sung for the bands Laughing Dead , Defiance , and Xzanthus. He was a member of the thrash metal band, Exodus for a brief period...
(2004)
Guitarists
- Kirk HammettKirk HammettKirk Lee Hammett is the lead guitarist and a songwriter in the heavy metal band Metallica and has been a member of the band since 1983. Before joining Metallica he formed and named the band Exodus. In 2003, Hammett was ranked 11th on Rolling Stones list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time...
(1980–1983) - Tim Agnello (1980)
- Evan McCaskeyEvan McCaskeyEvan McCaskey was an American guitarist who played for the bands Exodus and Blind Illusion.Evan grew up in Point Richmond, California. Prior to joining the band Blind Illusion, he taught guitar lessons in his Point Richmond studio...
(1983) (one show) - Mike Maung (1983)
- Rick HunoltRick HunoltRick Hunolt is an American heavy metal guitarist who is best known for being the long time guitarist in thrash metal band Exodus. He joined the band in 1983, replacing Mike Maung who had been hired to replace original guitarist Kirk Hammett who left to join Metallica...
(1983–1993, 1997–1998, 2001–2005)
Bassists
- Carlton Melson (1980)
- Jeff Andrews (1980-1983)
- Rob McKillop (1983–1991)
- Michael Butler (1992–1993)
Drummers
- Perry Strickland (1989)
- John TempestaJohn TempestaJohn Tempesta is a heavy metal drummer who has worked several bands including: Exodus, Testament and White Zombie. He also played with former White Zombie singer Rob Zombie as a solo artist and served as drum technician for heavy metal band Anthrax earlier in his career...
(1989–1993) - Gannon Hall (1993) (one US show, one Japanese tour)
- Chris KontosChris Kontos (musician)Chris Kontos is best known as the drummer of Machine Head on their first album, Burn My Eyes. He and the band parted ways before their second album in 1997...
(1993) (one US show, two Argentina shows) - Paul BostaphPaul BostaphPaul Bostaph is a heavy metal drummer. His drumming career began in 1984, when he was 20 years old, and he had since worked with bands like Slayer, Forbidden, Exodus and Systematic. He is from Newark, California and currently drums for Testament...
(2005–2007)
Discography
- For all releases, see Exodus discographyExodus discographyThis article presents the discography of Exodus, an American thrash metal band formed in 1980 in San Francisco, California. The band rose to prominence in the US during the thrash metal era with their first four albums between 1985 and 1990...
.
- Bonded by BloodBonded by BloodFor other uses of the phrase, see Bonded by Blood Bonded by Blood is the debut album by the San Francisco thrash metal band Exodus. Although the album was completed in the summer of 1984, it was not released until 1985 due to issues with Exodus and its record label...
(1985) - Pleasures of the FleshPleasures of the Flesh-Band Line-Up:*Steve "Zetro" Souza -Vocals*Gary Holt - Guitars*Rick Hunolt - Guitars*Rob McKillop - Bass*Tom Hunting - Drums-Charts:Album - Billboard -Credits:...
(1987) - Fabulous DisasterFabulous DisasterFabulous Disaster is the third album by Exodus. UK label Music for Nations released the album in 1988, but in the USA, it was released in January 1989 by Combat/Relativity Records....
(1988) - Impact is ImminentImpact is ImminentImpact Is Imminent is the fourth album by thrash metal band Exodus and their first with Capitol Records. This is the first album to feature John Tempesta on drums and is the last studio album to feature Rob McKillop on bass, though he would appear on their next live album, "Good Friendly Violent...
(1990) - Force of HabitForce of Habit-Band line-up:*Steve "Zetro" Souza - Vocals*Gary Holt - Guitars*Rick Hunolt - Guitars*Michael Butler - Bass*John Tempesta - Drums-Credits:* Recorded at Battery Studios, London, UK* Produced and engineered by Chris Tsangarides...
(1992) - Tempo of the DamnedTempo of the DamnedTempo of the Damned is the sixth album by thrash metal band Exodus. It marked their first full-length album of new material in over 11 years, the last being Force of Habit released in 1992....
(2004) - Shovel Headed Kill MachineShovel Headed Kill MachineShovel Headed Kill Machine is the seventh studio album by the American thrash metal band Exodus, released on October 4, 2005 through Nuclear Blast. This album contains a huge shift in the lineup for Exodus...
(2005) - The Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit AThe Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit AThe Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A is the eighth studio album by thrash metal band Exodus, released on October 23, 2007. This is the second album featuring Rob Dukes on vocals, but it also marks the second comeback of longtime original Exodus drummer Tom Hunting. Hunting's last appearance was on...
(2007) - Let There Be BloodLet There Be BloodLet There Be Blood is a re-recording of Exodus's 1985 album Bonded by Blood, featuring their modern lineup. The only band members who play on both Bonded by Blood and Let There Be Blood are guitarist Gary Holt and drummer Tom Hunting...
(2008) - Exhibit B: The Human ConditionExhibit B: The Human Condition-Charts & Certifications:-Personnel:*Rob Dukes – Vocals*Gary Holt – Lead and rhythm guitars*Lee Altus – Lead and rhythm guitars*Jack Gibson – Bass*Tom Hunting – Drums, Percussion*Brendon Small - Guitar solo on "Devil's Teeth"...
(2010)