Exodus guitarist Gary Holt recently opened up about the dramatic transition from playing with Slayer to returning full-time to his original band. He shared his perspective in an interview with The Moshville Times.
Holt discussed the stark contrast between performing at major venues with Slayer and the more modest circumstances he encountered when returning to Exodus full-time.
“It’s a way of life, being in Exodus,” Holt said. “Even in the years I spent with Slayer, I missed this.”
The guitarist described the immediate change he experienced after Slayer’s final performance. He highlighted the dramatic shift in touring conditions.
“And when Slayer played their final show, I went from two nights sold out at the L.A. Forum to two months later, I was showering in some really sketchy German venue shower, and I loved it,” he continued. “It was awesome.”
Despite the significant differences in comfort and venue quality, Holt expressed his appreciation for the varied experiences that come with his musical career.
“You go through extremes, from the highest level to comfort to, ‘Do I wanna step there?’ And it’s okay,” he said. “I love doing this.”
Holt’s journey between these two legendary thrash metal bands spans over a decade of dedication to both projects. This represents one of metal’s most unique dual commitments.
Guitar World reported that Holt joined Slayer in 2011 as a touring guitarist, initially filling in following Jeff Hanneman’s health issues. He later permanently replaced him after Hanneman’s death in 2013. Throughout his time with Slayer, Holt maintained his primary commitment to Exodus. He described the Bay Area thrash pioneers as his “first family” and noted that Exodus “sat on the sidelines and used a stunt double for me for just shy of 10 years.”
When Slayer concluded their farewell tour in November 2019, Holt immediately resumed full-time touring with Exodus, as Louder Sound detailed. He embraced the return to smaller venues after years of arena shows. The guitarist, now 61, has thrown himself back into Exodus with renewed vigor. He stated “I love my job, so working isn’t a problem” and described his current touring schedule as intense, with only brief breaks between extensive tour legs.
Since returning to Exodus full-time, the band has maintained an aggressive release and touring schedule. They released Persona Non Grata in 2021. The Moshville Times revealed that they recently issued their latest album Goliath on March 20, 2026, with tours beginning in late March. The California anniversary shows for the new album sold out quickly. This demonstrates the enduring appeal of the thrash metal veterans.
Interestingly, Slayer’s story didn’t end completely in 2019. Blabbermouth noted that the band returned sporadically starting in 2024 with the same lineup from their farewell tour, playing brief annual shows. Holt expressed that he was “absolutely surprised” by this revival. However, he supports these limited one-off performances as they allow him to “play those songs that I’ve grown to love” without halting his primary focus on Exodus.
