Exodus’ Gary Holt Shares His New Album Approach

“We’re simply out to stomp all people,” Exodus guitarist Gary Holt says concerning the band’s mindset on the subject of new music. However he tells Full Metallic Jackie throughout their current chat on her weekend radio present that he would not really feel that there’s a competitors together with his friends.

“I do not examine the band to what Testomony or Kreator or Overkill are doing. I am certain they most likely really feel the identical approach. We will make the very best Exodus album we are able to, and we do not examine it to anyone,” he says at one level, later including, “Each different band that’s in our a part of our style, they need to really feel the identical approach about their very own band – like, what competitors? We’ll stomp all of them and that is the way in which we really feel, and we’re mates with all of them, however I’ve to go in with the perspective that we won’t be touched as a result of then in any other case, why am I doing this?” Holt additionally lays out a few of the timeline as Exodus proceed to work towards a brand new album.

Elsewhere throughout the dialogue, Gary talks about his return to the stage with Slayer and why he would not attempt to mimic Jeff Hanneman’s guitar work whereas enjoying with the band. And he teases his upcoming look with Metallic Allegiance whereas sharing his favourite performances with the all-star band and which Metallic Allegiance performer can be cool to do a document with.

Try extra of the interview under.

It is Full Metallic Jackie and it is at all times a pleasure to welcome again to the present legendary guitarist of Exodus and Slayer, Mr. Gary Holt. How are you? Gary, after we final spoke, you talked about Exodus pushing issues again to early subsequent 12 months earlier than leaping again in on the brand new album. What’s inspiring you lately as you method a brand new Exodus document?

Inspiration comes from inside. Simply enjoying the guitar nonetheless evokes me and I like riffs so I simply want a little bit extra time to make them pretty much as good as they presumably could be. We’re not there but, however we plan on beginning recording in February, so we must be wonderful by then.

Gary, Rick Hunoldt just lately paid you final praise, calling you among the best songwriters in thrash steel. How do you’re feeling your work stacks up along with your friends? And is there a secret or particular factor you are in search of on the subject of songwriting?

No, there’s nothing particular. It has to move the Baloff check, I assume. There may be one particular factor. Would Paul [late Exodus singer Baloff] assume it is heavy sufficient?

So far as what my friends are doing? I do not pay any consideration. I’ve listened to their data. It is no offense, I am simply all about what Exodus is doing and I do not examine the band to what Testomony or Kreator or Overkill are doing. I am certain they most likely really feel the identical approach. We will make the very best Exodus album we are able to, and we do not examine it to anyone. There is not any comparability. We’re simply out to stomp all people.

So what makes an incredible Exodus track?

Energy, aggression, hooks, solos, drums. That is like making an attempt to say what makes an incredible cake? It is all of the components that make an superior cake. We’re only a thrash cake, thrash pie. It is simply what makes an incredible Exodus album is 5 guys, the 5 guys which are on this band that every one mix to place their components collectively and make this superior meal, a scrumptious thrash meal, a thrash sandwich, one thing.  Nevertheless it takes all of us

I’d write many of the songs and I’d write many of the lyrics, but it surely’s all people’s enter is at all times welcome and it is all people’s contributions that make it Exodus and never a Gary Holt solo document.

Exodus, “Blacklist”

Gary, the massive shock of the 12 months was after all Slayer returning for a number of exhibits after their retirement. Having gone by way of that this 12 months, what’s your emotions on the place issues stand with the band and the way was that have to get again up there and play these songs once more?

Nicely, first off, the expertise was magical. It was superior. It is only a surreal second to be with Slayer and at all times have this rapport the place there is a sure electrical energy that comes off the gang and we really feel it. This time we had been electrocuted. It was insane.

The power that you might really feel earlier than the present began and shedding the Louder Than Life present because of the hurricane, that was bunk. That was unhappy. And no extra so than for the followers who flew from throughout to see it. Nevertheless it was unhappy for us too, as a result of we actually, actually loved Riot Fest and it was superb. We did not wish to lose one. There’s solely three exhibits. Who desires to lose one in all them?

I am trying ahead to performing some extra of them. When that might be? I do not know, however I feel, if something, the band will make spot appearances right here and there.

[Editor’s Note: Since the interview took place, Louder Than Life has announced Slayer’s return for their 2025 festival.]

I do not see the band ever touring anymore, which is nice for me as a result of it permits me to place all my focus into Exodus after which exit and luxuriate in enjoying the Slayer songs with my different household every now and then.

Slayer allowed you the chance to embrace the band’s music, not solely taking over the position of guitarist, but in addition as a fan. Was there a track or a solo or part of taking over Jeff Hanneman’s position that greatest represents your admiration for what he created with the band?

That is actually laborious to select. There’s a lot greatness within the songs that he wrote. I am simply completely satisfied to have the ability to play them and hold his reminiscence alive, you understand. Solo clever, I simply sort of often did my very own factor. I attempted to match him vibe for vibe, however making an attempt to imitate Jeff’s solo type is not possible for me.

I am certain there’s some guys in some tribute bands that do it notice for notice, however it will have actually been faux if I attempted to love copy them.

So I did my very own factor and nobody ever complained about that within the band. Often some fan won’t prefer it, but when I needed to decide a track, possibly “South of Heaven.” That is a fairly signature track of his.

Slayer, “South of Heaven”

Gary, I am going to return a bit for this one. On the finish of 2023, in a wrap up submit, you famous to all who say they’re about to make the steel document of the 12 months, maintain my beer. I like that you simply put the problem on the market. And also you talked about competitors earlier. Does a way of competitors gas you? Is it simply one other type of motivation to place your greatest foot ahead?

No. The one folks we’re making an attempt to please are ourselves and everytime you go browsing and also you’re preaching to your individual choir. However there’s at all times some outsider, like one other musician speaking about how nice their album is. What are we presupposed to do? Say it is mid?

The brand new album’s mid. It is okay. Am I am like? No. Once I say it is the very best factor since sliced bread, it means I really feel that approach, that I like it and the band loves it.

READ MORE: Gary Holt Talks New Ebook + Exodus’ Legacy

So far as competitors, we haven’t any. However this is the factor. Each different band that’s in our a part of our style, they need to really feel the identical approach about their very own band – like, what competitors?

We’ll stomp all of them and that is the way in which we really feel, and we’re mates with all of them, however I’ve to go in with the perspective that we won’t be touched as a result of then in any other case, why am I doing this?

Gary, you’ve got obtained one other large factor arising as you are set to affix Metallic Allegiance for his or her annual January present. At all times nice to see such expertise come collectively to have a good time the music all of us love. As a Metallic Allegiance visitor, saluting a few of the greatest music steel has to supply, do you have got the choice to convey a track to the desk you’d like to carry out?

Certain, after I’m despatched over a listing of songs, often there’s loads of dialogue going again, backwards and forwards. And I might be like that grumpy outdated man who’s complaining on a regular basis, as a result of there have been occasions up to now when the setlist is simply all rock, and I am like, “No, I do not wish to play ‘Tom Sawyer’ by Rush.” I like the track. I do not wish to play it. You already know, we’re Metallic Allegiance. Let’s play steel songs. You already know!

However often the songs are cool. I like that. I do not wish to play that one. I wish to play that one. This time round, I regarded on the  setlist, and I am cool with all of it. It is simple and it is at all times enjoyable, as a result of we’re all such good mates off the stage. Then you definitely at all times interject and add in a few new musicians that you simply won’t have ever met.

It is at all times an honor to play music with such gifted folks. It is gonna be enjoyable. It is at all times enjoyable. Even when I complain all the way in which to the present day.

Is there a monitor that you simply’d like to play with this all-star lineup?

You already know, I’ve already accomplished it. I performed “Stargazer” with the late, nice Jimmy Bain on bass. That was a watershed second. Earlier than it was known as Metallic Allegiance, when it was Metallic Masters, I performed “Chemical Warfare” in Piranha with Billy Sheehan on bass. It would not get sicker than that. That is fairly rad. The best bass participant on this planet enjoying this ripping thrash and simply crushing it.

Final 12 months, we performed “Kill the King” and Ritchie Blackmore is my hero. From the second that was added to the set, I mentioned, “You guys know, that is my track. I am enjoying guitar on that. Do not even assume anything. I do know it already.” That was superior. I labored actual laborious on that one.

Metallic Allegiance, “Kill the King” From 2024 tenth Anniversary Efficiency

Having one thing like Metallic Allegiance not solely provides you the prospect to see outdated mates, but it surely additionally presents you the chance to see how nicely you play with a few of the greats of the style. It is a uncommon factor to be on this place, however have any of those jams made you’re feeling like, man, this actually works. I would like to play off of that man.

Nicely, enjoying with Billy Sheehan was superior. I would like to do a document with him sometime. The nicest man on this planet, too. We’re all so busy with our personal bands, and all of us jam and all of us have a lot enjoyable, and I am certain there’s a number of speak about we may do a gaggle collectively, you understand? Then every week later, we’re all on tour once more, and, like, by no means occurs. Though they did make the Metallic Allegiance document occur. And that most likely took loads of doing.

Is there even time to do one other one? I do not know. However I am at all times prepared to contribute.

Because of Gary Holt for the interview. You possibly can keep updated with Exodus, Slayer and Metallic Allegiance by way of their respective web sites. You can even comply with Exodus on Fb, X and Instagram. Discover out the place you possibly can hear Full Metallic Jackie’s weekend radio present right here.