Exodus guitarist Gary Holt recently revealed details about the band’s prolific recording process for their upcoming twelfth studio album ‘Goliath.’ He shared insights about their creative approach in an interview with Appetite For Distortion.
Holt explained how the band’s unconventional recording method led to an unexpectedly productive studio session. This session nearly resulted in completing two albums simultaneously.
“We were in the studio for two months, but the way Exodus records is we leave everything set up for the whole time and we write through the whole process,” Holt said. “We went in with — I think I had five [songs] done [before we started recording] and we recorded 18 songs. Lee [Altus, Exodus guitarist] contributed a lot for this album, and it was the biggest collaborative effort we ever had. But we write the whole way through. We’ve learned — why limit yourself to going in with a finished set of songs and just recording them? We write some of our best stuff in the last week.”
The guitarist revealed how close the band came to completing their follow-up album during the same recording sessions.
“Our goal was to finish this in the follow-up album all at once, and we came, like, two songs shy for the next album,” he continued. “We have eight in the can. I’m ready to play ’em live, and as far as the studio, I’m ready to create again. But we were on a creative tear on this record that just, why stop it? We were, like, if we could finish the next album, we could take a little break in between albums. It’s done. Get some artwork together, go on vacation, relax.”
Holt also addressed the band’s motivation for maintaining this accelerated pace. He cited their advancing age as a factor.
“We’re getting older,” he said. “It would shorten the gap in between the albums substantially. And we almost got there. And it’s gonna make our job a lot easier. We need two more, and by then, Lee and I’ll have 10 more. But there’s worse problems to have [than] too much music.”
This approach suggests fans won’t have to wait as long between Exodus releases moving forward.
The upcoming ‘Goliath’ album represents a significant milestone for the band. It marks several notable changes in their recording approach and lineup.
Blabbermouth reported that the album is scheduled for release on March 20, 2026, via Napalm Records. The record will become the twelfth full-length album in the band’s discography, continuing their four-decade-plus legacy in the thrash metal scene.
One of the most significant aspects of ‘Goliath’ is the return of vocalist Rob Dukes to the band. Alt Corner noted that the band is celebrating Dukes’ return for this release. This marks his first studio album with Exodus in 16 years since ‘Exhibit B: The Human Condition’ in 2010. This reunion adds considerable weight to the album’s significance in the band’s catalog.
The collaborative nature of ‘Goliath’ extends beyond just Holt and Altus’ contributions. Season of Mist confirmed that this is Exodus’ most collaborative record in their four decade-plus history. It features songs written by several band members and guest contributions from various artists. This approach aligns with Holt’s description of the album as their “biggest collaborative effort.”
The band has already begun sharing material from the album. They released the opening track “3111” as the first single. The massive opening track serves as an introduction to what fans can expect from this highly anticipated release. It showcases the creative energy that Holt described during their extended studio sessions.
