Exodus guitarist Gary Holt recently addressed Kerry King’s decision not to recruit him for his solo band. He shared his perspective on the matter in an interview with The Dan Chan Show.
When asked about Kerry King’s previous comments regarding not wanting his band to be critiqued as “too Slayer-like,” Holt provided his candid response about the situation.
“Yeah I mean I had spent 10 years with Exodus using what I always called my stunt double,” Holt said. “And I was fully ready to do that again. And I mean if Kerry, myself and Paul got done a band, it’s just kind of Slayer Light I guess you know like Diet Slayer.”
Holt went on to express his satisfaction with pursuing his own musical direction instead.
“But I’m doing my own thing and I’m perfectly happy and Kerry, the band’s called Kerry King you know,” he continued. “It’s f*cking awesome and I’m doing my own sh*t. And it’s f*cking so killer and so catchy too, this new record. It’s rad.”
The guitarist also touched on the future of Slayer reunion performances. He noted the uncertainty surrounding potential shows.
“And the fans are happy they get to see a little Slayer every now and then,” he said. “It’s a year-by-year thing. I don’t know if these will be the last ever. I have no idea.”
Holt’s comments reflect his extensive experience navigating dual band commitments and the complex dynamics of metal music collaborations.
Wikipedia reported that Holt has been a key member of Exodus since 1981. He has also played with Slayer from 2011 to 2019 and again since 2024. His role as what he calls his “stunt double” refers to his time filling in for Jeff Hanneman in Slayer while maintaining his primary commitment to Exodus.
The guitarist’s creative contributions have been primarily focused on Exodus throughout his career. The Vinyl District noted that Holt has not contributed songwriting to any band other than Exodus. He did contribute to Slayer’s 2015 album “Repentless,” which was primarily written by Kerry King.
Beyond his musical endeavors, Holt has recently expanded into literary territory. CBS San Francisco revealed that Holt has published a memoir titled “A Fabulous Disaster: From the Garage to Madison Square Garden, the Hard Way.” The book explores his career and personal journey through the metal music scene.
Holt’s position as the primary creative force behind Exodus’s signature sound has evolved over decades. This has established him as a respected figure in thrash metal circles. His ability to balance commitments between two major metal acts while maintaining creative integrity demonstrates the complex relationships that exist within the genre’s tight-knit community.
