Bay Area thrash architects Exodus have officially wrapped production on the visual campaign for their highly anticipated new studio album. The band spent the last few days in Arizona filming music videos for three separate tracks, aiming to have a stockpile of content ready for the record’s release next spring.
The shoots were directed by Jim Louvau, the Phoenix-based artist who previously collaborated with the band on the video for “The Fires Of Division” from 2021’s Persona Non Grata.
On Friday, December 12, the band celebrated the completion of the grueling schedule with a dinner at Peppermill Steakhouse in Tempe, Arizona. Sharing a photo of the celebration on social media, the group expressed relief and excitement about the results.
“Post video shoot wrap dinner with all but [Exodus bassist] Jack [Gibson] (earliest flight home tomorrow!) and friends!” the band wrote. “Three days, three videos done, and they’re gonna be sick as f**k. Seriously sick. We couldn’t be happier, and we HATE making videos! @jimlouvau makes is fun for all of us!”
The new album, which is tentatively scheduled for release on March 20, 2026, via Napalm Records, marks a significant chapter for the band as it features the return of vocalist Rob Dukes. Dukes rejoined the lineup in January, replacing Steve “Zetro” Souza.
Guitarist Gary Holt has been vocal about his high expectations for the record. In a recent interview with Robb Chavez of “Robbs MetalWorks,” Holt couldn’t contain his enthusiasm.
“It’s f**king awesome. It’ll be out next March, I think — March 20 — and it’s fucking awesome. I mean, it’s so awesome. We’re so proud of this record,” Holt said.
Holt also praised Dukes‘ performance on the new tracks, promising a vocal delivery that will shock listeners.
“It’s f**king been amazing. When you hear [Rob‘s] vocals on this new record, you’re gonna s**t your pants,” he stated. “The new album is so killer, dude… Me and [Exodus drummer] Tom Hunting call each other and [I tell him], when I listen to it, it makes me wanna cry, it’s so good. It’s that f**king good. We made something special.”
The recording sessions were reportedly so productive that the band has nearly enough material for a second album. Holt revealed that they approached the process like “heavy metal summer camp,” living and recording together, which sparked a surplus of creativity.
“80 percent of the follow-up [to Exodus‘ next album] is done already,” Holt explained. “We just kept working. We never stopped… When we started recording, we only had four songs done and a million ideas. And Lee [Altus] wrote a ton of stuff; he wrote four out of 10 songs on the new album.”
While the band admits it was difficult to choose which tracks made the cut for this March release, Holt assures fans that the selection is “crushing” and full of “anthems,” ranging from blinding speed to the heaviest material they have ever produced.
