Gary Holt recently shared details about Exodus’s upcoming album following Rob Dukes’ return to the band. He spoke in an interview with SKC Novi Sad.
The guitarist discussed the band’s prolific songwriting process and the unique approach they’re taking with their new material.
“It’s [going to be released as] two totally separate records, but we kept writing and kept writing and we had so much material that we just [thought], let’s work extra hard and so when it’s time to start thinking about a [second] new album [after the first new one], we could relax a little bit,” Holt said.
He expressed his wish for even more completed material to streamline future releases.
“I wish we had 20 songs done [instead of 18], ’cause then we would have the next album done, and then I could go on vacation or something,” he continued. “I’ve never had one.”
Holt also described the diverse sound palette of the upcoming release.
“It’s 100 percent Exodus and at times 100 percent different,” he said. “There’s some surprises on it. It’s super heavy. There’s some moments that are so fast. There’s moments that are super slow. Just satanic, evil as fuck.”
The album marks a significant return for Rob Dukes to the thrash metal band’s lineup.
Holt’s dedication to his craft reflects a career spanning over four decades with Exodus. He has remained the driving creative force behind the band’s evolution.
CBS San Francisco reported that Holt has been the principal creative force behind Exodus’s signature riffs for over four decades. He shaped the band’s aggressive punk-influenced thrash metal sound since joining in 1981. His commitment to the band has been unwavering, even as he balanced dual responsibilities with Slayer for several years.
The guitarist’s musical foundation was established early in his career through an unlikely mentorship. Loudwire revealed that Holt’s guitar skills were nurtured by Metallica’s Kirk Hammett. Hammett taught him basic chords during Exodus’s formative years. This forged a bond that influenced his playing style. This connection between the two Bay Area thrash pioneers helped shape the sound that would define both bands.
Holt’s relentless work ethic extends beyond just songwriting. He continues to push creative boundaries well into his career. His approach to the upcoming album demonstrates the same intensity that has characterized Exodus throughout their decades-long journey in the thrash metal scene.
The return of Rob Dukes adds another layer to this creative resurgence. It brings back a familiar dynamic that fans have long anticipated in the band’s ongoing musical evolution.
