Exodus is one of the oldest American thrash metal bands. The team was founded in 1979. The Exodus group can be called the founders of an extraordinary musical genre.
During the creative activity in the group, there were several changes in the composition. The team broke up and reunited again.
Guitarist Gary Holt, who was one of the first to appear in the group, remains the only permanent member of Exodus. The guitarist was present at all the band's releases.
The origins of the thrash metal band are: guitarist Kirk Hammett, drummer Tom Hunting, bassist Carlton Melson, vocalist Keith Stewart. According to Hammett, he came up with the name after the novel of the same name by Leon Uris.
Some time after the creation of the group, its composition has changed. Jeff Andrews took on the bass guitar, Hammett guitar tech Gary Holt took the place of the guitarist, and Paul Baloff became the vocalist.
In 1982, with the new line-up, the band recorded a demo version, which became the only one with the participation of Kirk Hammett. Founding member Kirk Hammett left the band a year later to replace the fired Dave Mustaine in Metallica. Kirk was replaced by the equally talented Rick Hunolt, while bassist Rob McKillop replaced Andrews.
The peak of the popularity of the group Exodus
A few years after the birth of the band, its members announced the recording of the first album. The collection was called Bonded by Bloo. The record was produced by Mark Whitaker, who studied with Baloff at the same educational institution.
The original title of the debut album was A Lesson in Violence. Due to problems on the Torrid label, fans only saw the compilation in 1985. In support of the record, the guys went on tour.
At the end of the tour, Paul Baloff was urged to leave the band. The reason for this decision was "personal and musical contradictions." The musician was replaced by Steve "Zetro" Souza.
The line-up with the new frontman was stable. Soon the musicians managed to sign a lucrative contract with Sony / Combat Records. A few months later, the band's discography was replenished with the second album, Pleasures of the Flesh. The collection includes compositions written with Baloff, as well as completely new ones.
Pleasures of the Flesh showed the best side of the band. The tracks of the new album sounded even more powerful and energetic. Fans and music critics warmly welcomed the collection.
Exodus signing a contract with Capitol
In 1988, the musicians signed a contract with the recording studio Capitol. The band members assumed that they would not be able to simply leave the Combat label. The musicians released another collection under the wing of the old label, and then worked with Capitol Records.
The group's third album was called Fabulous Disaster. It was released in 1989. In the same year, Tom Hunting left the band. The musician referred to the disease, although some journalists hinted to fans of conflicts within the group. Tom was replaced by John Tempesta.
On the wave of popularity and "freedom", the musicians officially signed a contract with Capitol Records. In 1991, the band's discography was replenished with the fourth studio album, Impact is Imminent. The musicians then released their first live album, Good Friendly Violent Fun, recorded in 1989.
Breakup and temporary reunion of Exodus
After the release of the fourth studio album, the band members gave single concerts. Michael Butler replaced MacKillop on bass. In 1992, the label, in an effort to make more money, released a greatest hits compilation.
Later, the group's discography was replenished with the fifth album. We are talking about the collection Force of Habit. This is the first album that was radically different from the previous works of the band. The album included slower, "heavier" tracks with negligible speed.
After the presentation of the fifth album, not the best times came in the team. John Tempesta announced his decision to leave. Later it turned out that he went to competitors - the group Testament.
The Capitol label showed no action in promoting the group. The popularity of Exodus rapidly decreased. Against this background, the musicians had personal problems. Soon the Exodus group disappeared altogether.
Gary and Rick (with Andy Anderson) started a side project called Behemoth. Soon the guys managed to catch a "fat fish" in the form of the Energy Records label. For several years, the Exodus group was in the shadows.
In 1997, the band reunited under the leadership of vocalist Paul Baloff and drummer Tom Huntingom. The bassist was replaced by Jack Gibson.
Exodus toured. The musicians traveled the world for a year, and later recorded a live album at the Century Media studio. The release of the album Another Lesson in Violence increased interest in the band. The musicians toured extensively and prepared new material between concerts.
The activity of the participants "broke into small fragments." The musicians were unhappy with Century Media. The live release did not live up to their expectations. Fans never saw the collection. Another "failure" drove the group Exodus into a dark corner. The musicians again disappeared from sight.
Exodus re-release in the early 2000s
In early 2001, the band reunited again to perform at Thrash of the Titans. This is a charity concert that is organized to raise funds for the treatment of cancer by Chuck Billy (Testament) and Chuck Schuldiner (leader of Death).
But it didn't end with just one performance. The musicians realized that they wanted to release a new album. Exodus, with Paul Baloff at the microphone stand, continued to tour their home country.
The plans of the musicians did not come true. Paul Baloff suffered a stroke and died. The band members did not stop the tour. Paul's place was taken by Steve "Zetro" Suzu. Despite Baloff's death, the musicians have prepared a new album.
In 2004, the discography was replenished with the album Tempo of the Damned under the auspices of Nuclear Blast Records. The musicians dedicated the collection to Paul Baloff.
They shared interesting news with journalists. The new record was supposed to have a recording of the track Crime of the Century. The recording of the song disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
The musical composition told music lovers about the times when Exodus collaborated with Century Media. Despite the fact that the company denied its participation in the "removal" of the song, journalists said that the musicians were forced to erase the recording from the record. Her place on the album was taken by the track Impaler.
In support of the new album, the musicians embarked on the autumn Bonded by Metal Over Europe tour. In addition, the band released the limited single War is My Shepherd. The track was sold during the concert tour through the Nuclear Blast mailing list. The musicians also filmed several video clips.
Changes in the composition of the group Exodus
In the mid-2000s, Rick Hunolt announced to his fans that he had decided to leave the band. Rick was replaced by Heathen guitarist Lee Elthus. Tom Hunting left after Rick. If Hunolt left the group due to family problems, then Tom had health problems. The place behind the percussion instruments was occupied by Paul Bostaph.
There was information that Steve Souza intends to leave the team again. As it turned out later, money pushed Steve into such a decision. According to the musician, he was clearly not paid extra. Steve was replaced by Esquival (ex-Defiance, Skinlab). Soon, a permanent member, Rob Dukes, joined the group.
With the new line-up, the band presented the album Shovel Headed Kill Machine. The presentation of the new album was followed by a tour. The musicians performed in the USA, Europe, Japan, and also in Australia.
In March 2007, Tom Hunting rejoined the band. Joyful fans met the new album The Atrocity Exhibition… Exhibit A.
Presentation of the re-recorded debut album Exodus
A year later, Exodus re-released their debut album Bonded by Blood. She released it under the name Let There Be Blood. Gary Holt commented:
“Let me tell you a secret - the musicians and I have long wanted to re-release the debut album Bonded by Blood. The reissued collection will be called Let There Be Blood. Thus, we want to pay tribute to the late Paul Baloff. Those songs that he then recorded are still popular. This is an immortal classic. We emphasize that we do not want to replace the original. It's just impossible!"
The album Exhibit B: The Human Condition was recorded in Northern California. Producer Andy Sneap worked on the collection. Music lovers saw the disc in 2010. The album was recorded at Nuclear Blast.
Later, the band went on a big tour with Megadeth and Testament. Since 2011, Gary Holt has replaced Jeff Hanneman at Slayer. The musician began to develop necrotizing fasciitis due to a spider bite. His place in Exodus was temporarily replaced by Rick Hunolt (who left the band in 2005).
In 2012, information appeared that the musicians were working on preparing material for the tenth album. Fans of the group Exodus saw the work only in 2014. The new album is called Blood In, Blood Out.
Exodus today
In 2016, Steve Souza announced that a new album would be released in 2017. Later, the musician said that the band members are not physically able to record the album, so they will go to the studio in 2018.
Also, Steve Souza said that the new material doesn't sound like Blood In, Blood Out, but like "a lot of records put together, I think." This is really hard stuff.
In July 2018, the band announced they would headline the 2018 MTV Headbangers Ball European Tour, sharing the stage with Death Angel, Suicidal Angels and Sodom from late November to mid December.
Unfortunately, fans of the band's work did not wait for the release of the new album either in 2018 or 2019. The musicians promise to release a collection in 2020. Vocalist Steve said that Gary Holt's illness affected the band's work on the album.
