Exodus drummer Tom Hunting shared his thoughts about Gary Holt joining Slayer in a recent interview with 101 WRIF.
“I told him, ‘F*cking go!’ It’s an amazing opportunity. This whole business is incestuous anyway—just look at [Dave] Lombardo. It didn’t hurt Exodus. If anything, it just raised our profile,” Hunting said.
“I feel like maybe they underused him a little bit like in terms of like… Slayer has its own thing going, and we’ll take them Gary Holt riffs in our band,” he continued.
Hunting’s statement demonstrated his support for his Exodus bandmate’s opportunity with Slayer. He also expressed his perspective on how Slayer utilized Holt’s talents.
Holt’s Slayer journey marked a pivotal moment for both bands. Wikipedia documented his initial 2011 recruitment as a temporary replacement for Jeff Hanneman during the latter’s battle with a severe spider bite infection.
Blabbermouth revealed Holt’s contributions to Slayer’s 2015 album ‘Repentless.’ He recorded guitar tracks for the record, though his songwriting input remained limited. His tenure with the band lasted until their farewell tour in 2019.
Holt never wavered in his commitment to Exodus during this period. CBS News highlighted his distinction as the only member to perform on every Exodus album since 1981. This achievement showcased his dedication to both bands.
Hunting’s observation about increased visibility proved accurate. Holt’s dual role enhanced Exodus’s standing in the thrash metal scene. This arrangement exemplified the interconnected metal community that Hunting referenced.
