In a recent interview on The Dan Chan Show, EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt discussed the band’s recent lineup change, specifically the exit of singer Steve “Zetro” Souza and the return of Rob Dukes.
When asked about having Dukes back in the band, Gary said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth): “It’s totally awesome. We’re laughing all day long. It’s good times. And Rob‘s one of my favorite singers in the world. And when people hear what he does on the [upcoming EXODUS] album, they’re gonna s**t their pants. [There’s] so much variety to his voice now. And he always has had the gift to keep us laughing. He is funny as f**k, his sense of humor. And we’re thrilled.
“We wish Zetro well,” he continued. “Every band relationship is like a marriage, and sometimes marriages end and they don’t always end in a acrimonious divorce. Sometimes they end on some fairly good terms. And just considering the past history, we’ve all grown up and become much more mature now. I’m 61 years old. I don’t wanna do this anymore unless everybody’s on the same page.”
Holt also expanded on his recent announcement that EXODUS is recording enough new material for two full albums, planned for future release. He mentioned: “[We are tracking] 19 songs. And they’re all killer. I mean, in the past, you read about this band, ‘Yeah, we went in the studio. We had 39 songs,’ and I’m, like, ‘How do you have 39 great songs?’ To me, you usually have maybe 20 and some ideas. But I realized that it is possible — at least 19. ‘Cause Lee [Altus, EXODUS guitarist] was really active as a songwriter on this album, and he contributed, like, six songs — something like that. And we had 19 songs, and they’re all awesome. The hard part is figuring out what to put on the record. And so we figured we can tour for the next album and then take a break in between releases and have it already in the can.”
EXODUS announced that Rob Dukes will be replacing Souza on January 15, with the following statement on their social media: “EXODUS have parted ways with Steve “Zetro” Souza. We thank Steve for his years fronting the band and all the killer music we made during that time. We wish him only the best in the future and much success with anything he does.
“And please help us welcome Rob Dukes back to EXODUS! We are beyond stoked to have Rob back ripping up the stage with us and he’s looking forward to crushing everything like only he can.
“Next chapter begins, new record rolls along as planned and the beatings will continue.”
Dukes joined EXODUS in January 2005 and contributed to four of the band’s studio albums: Shovel Headed Kill Machine (2005), The Atrocity Exhibition… Exhibit A (2007), Let There Be Blood (2008—a re-recording of their classic 1985 album Bonded By Blood), and Exhibit B: The Human Condition (2010).
In June 2014, the thrash metal icons announced Dukes‘ departure and the return of his predecessor, Steve “Zetro” Souza, who had previously served as EXODUS‘s frontman from 1986 to 1993 and again from 2002 to 2004.
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