Exodus Is Planning To Record Two New Albums, Gary Holt ‘Energized’ By Rob Dukes’ Return

Exodus guitarist Gary Holt has opened up about the thrash band’s recent decision to part ways with singer Steve “Zetro” Souza and bring back former frontman Rob Dukes. In a candid interview on Full Metal Jackie‘s nationally syndicated radio show, Holt explained the reasoning behind the change and revealed how Dukes‘ return has invigorated the band’s plans for new music, including the intention to record two albums.

Addressing the lineup shift, Holt stated that the band felt things “were not going the way they needed to be, with everybody being on the same page and being happy about things” with Souza. When it came to finding a replacement, Holt humorously admitted his preference for familiarity at this stage of his career.

“I’m 60 years old. I don’t wanna meet new people [laughs] — I don’t,” Holt shared (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “And Rob‘s one of my best friends and we talk all the time.” He dismissed the idea of auditioning younger, unknown singers, saying, “Yeah, I thought for, like, half a second, ‘Maybe we’ll get some guy half my age who’s got washboard abs and could still jump off a drum riser without his knees giving out for a week.’ But no — I’d rather stick with my friend.”

Holt is clearly thrilled with Dukes‘ contributions to the new material Exodus is currently recording for a planned 2026 release. “And his vocals on these new songs are just f**king gonna blow people’s minds. It’s insane,” he enthused.

The return of Rob Dukes has apparently lit a creative fire under Holt. “But Rob‘s coming back certainly energized me,” he revealed. “And that’s when I was, like, ‘Let’s record two [albums],’ and then I can have that mythical vacation in between albums and not have to go back in the studio until I’m 70. Who knows if that’ll even happen?”

Reflecting on his age and legacy, Holt added: “So that’s the way we look at it — record two albums and who knows what happens between now and then? I could get hit by a car, and then have a posthumous release — ‘Gary Holt‘s last performance’, whatever. You think about that stuff at 60 years old. It’s crazy.”

Despite the change in vocalists, Holt maintained that his songwriting approach for Exodus remains consistent. “I write songs for myself, and we all do; EXODUS writes for EXODUS,” he asserted. “And I’ve never changed approach for anything. When Steve Souza rejoined us for ‘[Blood In,] Blood Out’, I’d already written those songs… I’m gonna write ’em regardless of who’s manning the microphone.”

Rob Dukes previously fronted Exodus from 2005 to 2014, contributing to four 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 debut Bonded By Blood), and Exhibit B: The Human Condition (2010). The band played its first concert with Dukes back in the lineup in nearly 11 years on April 5, 2025, at the Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest: Philly.