Exodus (band)

For the Polish progressive rock band, see Exodus (Polish band).

Exodus
Band on stage at festival in 2018
Exodus performing at the Rockharz Open Air festival in 2018
Background information
OriginRichmond, California, U.S.
GenresThrash metal
DiscographyExodus discography
Years active
  • 1979–1993
  • 1997–1998
  • 2001–present
Labels
Members
Past members
 
Websitewww.exodusattack.com

Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California.[1] Their current lineup consists of guitarists Gary Holt and Lee Altus, bassist Jack Gibson, drummer Tom Hunting, and lead vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza. There are no original members left in Exodus other than Hunting, who has departed from the band twice, in 1989 and 2004, but rejoined in 2007. Exodus is also notable for featuring a then-unknown Kirk Hammett, who was the band's lead guitarist from its inception until his departure in 1983, when he left to join fellow Bay Area thrash metal band Metallica as Dave Mustaine's replacement. Holt (who replaced original guitarist Tim Agnello in 1981) has been most consistent member throughout various lineup changes and breakups, and is the only member to appear on all of Exodus' recordings. Much of the band's career has also been affected by feuds between both band members and record companies, two extended hiatuses, deaths of former band members, and drug addictions.[2]

Since its formation, Exodus has released eleven studio albums, three live albums, one compilation album, and a re-recording of their first album. Along with Metallica, they are often credited as pioneers of the Bay Area thrash metal scene,[3][4] and have been referred to as one of the region's so-called "Big Six" alongside Testament, Death Angel, Lȧȧz Rockit, Forbidden, and Vio-lence.[5][6] Exodus has sold over five million albums worldwide,[7] and they are also considered to be one of the "Big Eight" of thrash metal, along with Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Testament, Overkill, and Death Angel.[8][9][10][11][12] The band had particular success during the mid-to-late 1980s with their first three studio albums: Bonded by Blood (1985), Pleasures of the Flesh (1987), and Fabulous Disaster (1989). The critical praise given to Fabulous Disaster garnered attention from major labels, including Capitol Records, with whom Exodus signed in 1989 and released two albums for the label: Impact Is Imminent (1990) and Force of Habit (1992). After their first break up in 1993 and a short-lived reunion during 1997–1998, Exodus reunited once again in 2001, and since then, they have released six more studio albums, starting with and including Tempo of the Damned (2004), which reignited Exodus' popularity and is considered to be a key part in the early-to-mid-2000s thrash metal revival movement.[13][14][15] The band's eleventh and latest studio album, Persona Non Grata, was released on November 19, 2021.[16] Exodus is currently working on new material for their next studio album for a 2025 release.[17]

  1. ^ Wall, Mick (May 10, 2011). Enter Night: A Biography of Metallica (page 119). St. Martin's Press. ISBN 978-0-312-64989-0.
  2. ^ "Beginner's Guide To Exodus". Loudersound.com. April 24, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  3. ^ "Exodus To Release 'Blood In, Blood Out' Album In October". gibson.com. June 5, 2011. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  4. ^ "Legendary metal band Exodus, formed in Richmond, set to release 10th studio album". richmondstandard.com. September 24, 2014. Archived from the original on October 19, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  5. ^ "Is A 'Big 6 Of Bay Area Thrash Metal' Tour In The Works? 'Never Say Never', Says VIO-LENCE Guitarist | Metal Addicts". Metaladdicts.com. September 5, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  6. ^ "'The Big 6 Of Bay Area Thrash Metal' Tour or Show Might Happen One Day". Ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  7. ^ "Exodus Announces Hometown Gig – The Gauntlet Heavy Metal News". Thegauntlet.com. October 3, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  8. ^ "Death Angel Biography & History". allmusic.com. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  9. ^ "The V Club to host San Fran thrash metal unit Death Angel". herald-dispatch.com. April 23, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  10. ^ "My City - Legendary metal band, Testament to be part of Silence Festival 2019". myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  11. ^ "MetalDays 2020: First bands confirmed!". metaljacketmagazine.com. July 27, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  12. ^ "Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2019 la final: 28.000 de participanți în cele 4 zile de festival și 50 de trupe au concertat pe două scene principale!". bloodbath.ro. August 7, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  13. ^ "The 10 best thrash songs from 2000-2020". Louder. July 31, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  14. ^ "EXODUS Tempo of the Damned". Metal Music Archives. September 24, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  15. ^ "Revolution Music - Exodus". Revolution Music. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  16. ^ "EXODUS: 'Persona Non Grata' Album Details Revealed; 'The Beatings Will Continue' Single Now Available". Blabbermouth.net. August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  17. ^ "EXODUS To Record New Album In Early 2025". Blabbermouth.net. August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.