THE BEAST

In a new interview with Nikki Blakk of San Francisco Bay Area radio station 107.7 The Bone, EXODUS frontman Rob Dukes opened up about the progress of the band’s upcoming album, which will be the follow-up to their 2021 release, Persona Non Grata. Dukes, who rejoined the band in January after a decade-long absence, revealed exciting details about the recording process and the evolving sound of EXODUS.

"We’re tracking vocals right now," Dukes said, elaborating on the recording progress. "They’ve pretty much done everything — the drums, guitars, rhythms, and all that. Jack [Gibson, bassist] and I have been trading off on days. I can only go for two or three hours before I’m spent for the day, but then I’m back at it the next day." This careful, yet deliberate, approach has been working for the band, as they continue to hone the tracks that will make up their new album.

Heavy, Dark, and a Little Bit of Motörhead

Asked about the album’s direction, Dukes confirmed that the new EXODUS material is sure to meet fans’ expectations for heavy thrash metal. "It’s 11 tracks, and it’s fucking heavy as fuck, man. It’s dark and cool," he said. But what caught Dukes by surprise was the inclusion of some unexpected influences. "There’s a little bit of Motörhead-y rock stuff going on. I’m like, ‘Oh, cool, man. This is a little departure from the norm.’ It’s really cool, and I get to step outside the box a little bit, which is nice."

Dukes went on to explain that while the band’s core sound remains unmistakably EXODUS, this album is pushing boundaries in new ways. "EXODUS is always gonna sound like EXODUS," he said. "It’s just Gary [Holt], Tom [Hunting], and Lee [Altus] — the way they do things is just different. I really can’t compare it to anything else. But there are elements of everything, and they’ve stepped outside those elements too. It’s a little different, but it’s fucking cool."

Setting the Bar in Thrash

Despite experimenting with new ideas, EXODUS is still "setting the bar pretty high when it comes to thrash," according to Dukes. He expressed deep admiration for the band’s iconic lineup, noting, "Gary and Tom, they’re just fucking unbelievable, man. I feel really honored and privileged to be a part of it."

Reflecting on his return to EXODUS, Dukes described the unexpected and surreal experience of rejoining the band after a ten-year absence. "It’s a crazy thing to happen. I didn’t expect it. I didn’t know I was getting a phone call before I got it," he said. "I had to think about it... I’ve built up a whole life, so it was like, ‘Alright, let me think about it.’ And then I said, ‘Okay, cool. Let’s do it, man. Let’s go have fun.’"

The 40th Anniversary of Bonded By Blood

The upcoming album marks a pivotal moment for EXODUS, as 2025 will see the band celebrating the 40th anniversary of their iconic debut album Bonded By Blood. "This album has been with me so long," Dukes reflected. "I feel stupid when I don’t remember some of the words. But I’ve been jumping lines a little bit, and I’m okay with it. I actually remembered a lot more than I thought I would. I didn’t use any notes in a rehearsal a couple of days ago. So, we’re good."

Dukes admitted that he’s had to rely on cheat sheets in the past for live performances, especially when it comes to remembering song lyrics. "I’ve said the wrong city a couple of times, which is quite embarrassing," he chuckled, adding, "I try to make a joke about it."

The Reunion with EXODUS

EXODUS’ decision to bring Dukes back into the fold came as a surprise, even to him. In January, the band parted ways with longtime vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza and reconnected with Dukes. "It came out of nowhere," he admitted. "Me and Gary didn’t speak as much, but I talked to Tom and Lee all the time. They reached out, and I took a day to think about it. I decided, ‘Yeah, okay, I can make it work.’"

The move to reunite with Dukes was not only about finding a familiar voice but also ensuring the band’s continuity as they move forward. As Gary Holt put it, "The idea of getting an unfamiliar person in the band would not be an option… We need someone close to our age who gets the music we’re making."

Legacy of Bonded By Blood

EXODUS may not always be mentioned in the same breath as thrash giants METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER, and ANTHRAX, but their 1985 debut Bonded By Blood is widely regarded as one of the most influential thrash albums of all time. The album’s impact can be heard in the music of numerous bands that followed, including TESTAMENT, DEATH ANGEL, and VIO-LENCE.

Now, as EXODUS gears up for their next album and the 40th anniversary of Bonded By Blood, it’s clear that the band remains a driving force in thrash metal, pushing boundaries while staying true to their roots.

The band’s first concert with Dukes back in the fold took place on April 5 at the Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest in Philadelphia, marking the beginning of EXODUS’ next chapter.

With their new album on the horizon, fans can expect EXODUS to continue their legacy of fierce, innovative thrash metal, with Dukes back in the frontman role, pushing the band forward into the next era.