Thrash metal pioneers EXODUS are set to commemorate the 40th anniversary of their seminal album Bonded By Blood with two exclusive West Coast performances. The band will play the album in its entirety, alongside other classics from the Paul Baloff era, on April 25 at the UC Theatre in Berkeley and April 26 at the House of Blues in Anaheim. These special shows will feature direct support from DEATH ANGEL, with additional performances by BLIND ILLUSION and NUKEM in Berkeley, and HIRAX and NUKEM in Anaheim. Exclusive Bonded By Blood merchandise will also be available at both venues.
In a significant lineup change, EXODUS has parted ways with lead vocalist Steve “Zetro” Souza and has rejoined forces with former frontman Rob Dukes. Dukes originally joined EXODUS in 2005 and appeared on four of the band’s studio albums. He departed in 2014 when Souza returned. According to Dukes, he was “as surprised as everyone else” when he received the call to rejoin the band. He mentioned that Lee Altus, Gary Holt, and Tom Hunting reached out to him individually to gauge his interest in returning.
EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming shows, stating, “The 40th anniversary of our debut only happens once, and to fall on Paul Baloff’s birthday, on a Friday, we KNEW we had to crush the Bay Area.” He emphasized that the performances would be a “once-in-a-lifetime moment” for the band and their fans.
Fans can purchase tickets and find more information about the shows at exodusattack.com. The band has also announced plans to record a new album, with work already underway. Dukes has expressed his excitement about the new material, stating that it is “very fast and has more of a punk rock feel to it.”
The upcoming anniversary shows mark a significant moment in EXODUS’s history, bringing together past and present members to celebrate their legacy and the enduring influence of Bonded By Blood on the thrash metal genre.
