During an October 21 interview on SiriusXM‘s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk,” EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt discussed the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band’s upcoming album, which will be the follow-up to 2021’s Persona Non Grata.
“I’ve got a dozen [songs] in the works right now, and Lee [Altus, EXODUS guitarist] has some stuff,” Holt said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “Our plan is to hit the studio in February. We were gonna do it this summer, but we felt we were rushing it. And the last time was so well received and a landmark album for us, we can’t shortchange ourselves and hurry into it. And [we have a] brand new record label with Napalm Records and we wanted to make sure the album’s as good as it possibly can be. So, February and March we’ll be in the studio and then back at it again after that. No rest for the wicked, for sure.”
Holt previously discussed the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band’s upcoming album in an interview with with Full Metal Jackie this past August. He said at the time: “Well, I’m writing the new record right now. We were going to go in the studio in a week, but we needed more time. We’re not ready. And if we rushed it, that’d be a huge mistake. Unfortunately, due to touring commitments, our next gap to get in and do this proper, it’s, like, the beginning of next year. So, we’re pushing back, but it’s gonna be worth it ’cause the songs are just coming along very well. I’m super pleased. Stuff’s heavy.”
“The last album we had all the time in the world due to the pandemic, and the results are apparent in the record, and to follow Persona Non Grata with a rushed release would be the dumbest thing we could possibly do,” he continued. “But it’s coming along — it’s coming along really well. Actually, I’ve got 10 songs I’m working on. Lee‘s [Altus, EXODUS guitarist] got some stuff, and we’ll take it from there.”
When asked if the next EXODUS album is expected to be released in 2025, Gary responded: “Oh, yeah, for sure. It will be next year. It’s just gonna be later next year than we hoped.”
EXODUS released their latest studio album, Persona Non Grata, in November 2021.
Literally translating to an “unwelcome” or “unacceptable” person, PERSONA NON GRATA touches on themes of modern societal disgust and degradation. The band gathered at Tom Hunting’s house in the mountains where they produced and recorded Persona Non Grata from three home-built studios. Steve Lagudi was at the helm of engineering while the band enlisted Andy Sneap of Backstage Studios to mix the album. For the third time in the band’s history, they returned to Swedish artist Par Olofsson to create the album artwork.
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