Thrash metal legends Exodus have announced their 12th studio album “Goliath,” set for release on March 20, 2026, as revealed by Napalm Records.
The announcement highlighted the band’s return with their most collaborative record to date. It features the return of frontman Rob Dukes and guest contributions from notable artists.
“Thrash Metal Legends Exodus Announce 12th Studio Album, Goliath, Out March 20, 2026 via Napalm Records,” Napalm Records announced. “Exodus have announced their 12th studio album the follow up to their highest charting record ever and Napalm Records debut, Goliath, out March 20, 2026!”
The label emphasized the band’s evolved sound and collaborative approach on this release.
“Today, the band reveals the massive opening track ‘3111’ – the sinister single strikes dissonant chords before careening into breakneck thrash intensity,” they continued. “This album standout showcases Exodus’ ever-increasingly dynamic approach, even decades into their historic reign.”
“Emerging hungrier than ever in 2026, with Goliath, Exodus reinforces their eternal foothold at the top of thrash metal’s hierarchy with 10 of their most diverse, anthemic emissions to date,” the announcement stated. “Further fueled by the widely embraced return of iconic late-era frontman Rob Dukes – first appearing on 2005’s Shovel Headed Kill Machine – the album boasts what the band describes as the performance of his life.”
The band also provided context for their lead single. They explained the serious subject matter behind the track.
“We decided to go hard with the leadoff single, ‘3111’,” Exodus stated. “The song is about the narco killings in Juarez, and ‘3111’ is the estimated number of murders for 2010 alone.”
The album marks a significant milestone as Exodus’ most collaborative record in their four decade-plus history. It features contributions from multiple band members and guest appearances from Peter Tägtgren and violinist Katie Jacoby.
This collaborative approach represents a departure from the band’s traditional songwriting process. It showcases their evolution as artists while maintaining their thrash metal roots.
MetalSucks described the album as “wildly collaborative, the most band centric album to date with four songs written by Lee, lyrics by Gary, Rob, Lee and Tom, and just killer all the way around.” This marks a significant shift in the band’s creative process. Multiple members contributed to both musical composition and lyrical content.
The guest collaborations add another layer of depth to the album’s diverse sound. Blabbermouth reported that Peter Tägtgren of Hypocrisy and Pain will feature on the track “The Changing Me.” Violinist Katie Jacoby will contribute to the album’s title track “Goliath.” These collaborations demonstrate the band’s willingness to experiment with their established thrash metal formula.
The album’s tracklist reveals a carefully crafted 10-song journey that promises to showcase the band’s range and intensity. Napalm Records revealed the complete tracklist includes songs like “Hostis Humani Generis,” “Promise You This,” and “Beyond The Event Horizon.” This suggests themes that span from historical references to futuristic concepts.
Rob Dukes’ return to the band after his previous tenure adds another compelling element to this release. His vocal performance on “Goliath” is being positioned as potentially career-defining work. It builds on his established chemistry with the band that began with 2005’s “Shovel Headed Kill Machine.” The combination of his vocal prowess with the band’s most collaborative songwriting approach suggests “Goliath” could represent a new creative peak for the legendary thrash metal outfit.
