Exodus

Exodus is an American thrash metal band from Richmond, United States, active since 1979. It forms part of the Bay Area thrash metal scene and is associated with groove metal, metal, thrash metal, speed metal, and heavy metal.

Line-up and membership

The current line-up includes guitarists Gary Holt and Lee Altus, bassist Jack Gibson, drummer Tom Hunting, and lead vocalist Rob Dukes. Former members include founding guitarist Kirk Hammett, who later joins Metallica, as well as vocalists Paul Baloff and Steve "Zetro" Souza and drummers John Tempesta and Paul Bostaph.

Tom Hunting is the only remaining original member. He leaves the band twice, in 1989 and 2004, before returning in 2007. Gary Holt joins in 1981 and appears on all of the band’s recordings.

History and recordings

Exodus gains particular recognition in the mid to late 1980s with its first three studio albums: Bonded by Blood, Pleasures of the Flesh, and Fabulous Disaster. The success of Fabulous Disaster leads to a deal with Capitol Records, which issues Impact Is Imminent and Force of Habit.

After a breakup in 1993 and a brief reunion from 1997 to 1998, the band reforms in 2001. From that point it releases six more studio albums, beginning with Tempo of the Damned, which plays an important part in the early to mid-2000s thrash metal revival.

The band’s studio catalogue also includes Shovel Headed Kill Machine, The Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A, Let There Be Blood, Exhibit B: The Human Condition, Blood In, Blood Out, and Persona Non Grata. It also releases three live albums, one compilation album, and a re-recording of its debut.

Standing in thrash metal

Exodus is regarded as one of the pioneers of Bay Area thrash metal alongside Metallica. It is also counted among the region’s “Big Six”, with Testament, Death Angel, Lȧȧz Rockit, Forbidden, and Vio-lence, and among the broader “Big Eight” of thrash metal with Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Testament, Overkill, and Death Angel. The band has sold over five million albums worldwide.