NFR

Robb sits down with thrash metal legend Gary Holt for an in-depth discussion on life in quarantine, him surviving the coronavirus, his early days playing with Kirk Hammet (Metallica), what led to the split with original Exodus vocalist Paul Baloff, surviving the 2000’s music scene, and how fulfilled he is playing in Exodus again after an 8 year stint with Slayer.

[@sludgedisciple]

I ran into Gary at the bar in 1990, I was asking about their setlist that night, he tells me a few songs and then he says. "Make sure you check out the opening band, they will blow you away" The opening band was Pantera on CFH tour, Suicidal was the middle group. What a night.

[@kopicafe1]

I was at the Columbus, OH show of that tour. Unfortunately, Exodus sounded like absolute, drunk,dogshit. I meet Mike Muir that night standing at the nearly empty merch station and I could tell he was disappointed as well. I was there for Exodus and ST. Pantera totally reigned that show and likely the whole damn tour. Still stoked to see the show but totally bummed with exodus that night.

[@mitchvechart7164]

The infamous “no headlights” tour

[@joshhellstorm184]

Killer dude

[@pleasuretokill]

Fabulous Disaster is one of the best thrash albums in history.... rarely talked about. One of the first thrash albums I found as a kid.

[@jamesennis8837]

Man it’s muck an why they never made it. There is two bangers on it. Two other good songs. Rest ridiculous

[@bloodlust8774]

Bullshit! Every track is great except for the low rider cover.

[@VegasLoungeAct]

Great tone on that album

[@SouthernAssault]

Exhibit A is the best Exodus album, IMO

[@pleasuretokill]

@@SouthernAssault my fave old school album is Fabulous mainly because of the the opening 2 tracks and Verbal Razors. My favorite "new" Exodus is Tempo. That album fucking kills.

[@manosr9772]

Always loved the sound of Exodus guitars! So in your face!!!!

[@rutbuck121]

Trademark Gary Holt Tone!! GODLY

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

/w\METAL/w\

[@ziggylayneable]

Back in the eighties when it was Rick Hunolt,& Gary.... Every album that they would put out? Would set the standard as to what everybody else needed to sound like (the guitar tones). And then something else would come out that would set the NEW standard. MASTER OF PUPPETS DID IT, FABULOUS DISASTER DID IT, OVERKILL YEAR'S OF DECAY DID IT, COWBOYS FROM HELL DID IT,... In the year 2020? I haven't heard anybody up the standard of a guitar sound in metal music in a long time. Because nobody's miking up their amplifiers, and crank in the hell out of them like they used to. Everybody is using a God damn computer to make a album. It sucks all the soul out

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

@@ziggylayneable Bro, you'll like the tone in my covers... start with Sepultura Territory, Slayer War Ensemble & Season's in the Abyss, Metallica Seek & Destroy, Phantom Lord and the Hemlock and HateBreed one's? (and more)

[@ziggylayneable]

Oh and the main thing that really set the guitar tones "Standard"IMO..."impact is imminent"... The guitar sound on that record actually made my ears bleed

[@jaytarantino]

Awesome interview! Gary has some of the best stories. We need an Exodus/Machine Head tour 🤘

[@JuleeBrower]

Yes we do

[@fergalholmes]

Good chat. Dukes was an absolute animal live.

[@tinkldrink]

Diddnt know Gary got sick. So glad he pulled through. Much love Gary Holt. The OG thrasher. More music plz n thank you!

[@Grimeyhoob]

tinkldrink Gary Holt looks like he’s from Wayne’s World

[@whitebread940]

The best interviews are when two peers from the same area get together . You get way more than what a journalist would.

[@kevindudley9617]

Awesome discussion. Gary Holt is a living legend and one of the coolest guys in metal.

[@ziggylayneable]

What I find really cool about Gary's career. Because I've been there with Exodus since bonded by blood was still a new release in record stores. Is that he was in a band that Kirk Hammett left to join Metallica. And everybody was like"wow he came out of the exodus, got to join the biggest metal band on the planet"(this is small talk in 1984).. but the thing is all those years later after Jeff passed away. The guy playing guitar in Exodus.hooked up with fucking Slayer. That right there Beats Kirk's entire career...lol

[@kevindudley9617]

@@ziggylayneable Yep, I agree. I also have been an Exodus fan since Bondef By Blood originally came out in 1985. (I'm old!) The ironic thing is that if thay album had been released in 1984 as originally planned, Exodus' career would have been quite bigger as a result in my opinion.

[@CarltonMelson]

Robb this was a great interview, brought back a lot memories of all the fun we had back in the day. I remember most of these stories and was there for a lot of it.

[@hmetaljustin]

This was a great interview! Gary is a thrash metal legend. Thanks Robb!

[@braddonwilliams3857]

That was fun, informative, and altogether amazing! Thank you guys for all the inspiration, shows, music, and total badassery throughout the years! Hopefully we will all live to rage again when this pandemic passes. Love & Respect to Rob and Gary! 🤘😈🤘

[@kevinw8688]

Gary makes an interesting comment about Impact is Imminent. I don't particularly like the album, but the guitar playing by Gary and Rick is astonishing.

[@stevejohnson6155]

That was a great interview Robb. Thanks! Hang in there man.

[@tiny5500]

Great stuff, really takes me back! Thanks Rob🛹

[@ridehead8771]

I'm smiling the whole time, love these guys!!!

[@m_2023]

Great interview Robb!! Thanks! Exodus Rules indeed! Btw, I love Burn My Eyes and The More things Change. Hope to see MH again,here in Brazil as soon as possible!

[@michaelgallegos8811]

That was awesome Robb kick ass 2 hours!!

[@stonerkaraoke4449]

Wow thanks guys This was amazing as a huge Exodus fan This was the best interview of the awesome Gary Holt that I've seen. thank you so much guys! love and metal \m/

[@EmpiresDawn]

I enjoy this so much more than Robb talking into his camera alone. This is really enjoyable.

[@danielallasia7784]

Great interview.. I really enjoy.. Congratulations from Torino Italy.. Machine head my favs.. Gary is a legend

[@joshuayettou3552]

Saw you guys in Silver Spring, Maryland on January 31st of this year. What an amazing show!!! Loved the intensity. Good shit

[@Bob_Shy_132]

Hell yeah Rob. That medley was SICK!

[@klcwradiolakecityseattle3836]

thanx Gary! I love yer instagram. its nice to see the human side of our favorites! artists are hardest hit with this fiasco, stay safe and come back strong! Im a self employed artist/musician and I am seriously concerned for the craft of live music! its so crucially important to me to go see live music. I concur with Rob.. "this is all I know" tattooing is changing and being reevaluated in so many ways! I love tattoo conventions! we are all just trying to survive this. I wish all artists the best and hope we get back to being able to be play together outdoors and travel and bring our work to the masses! keep after it! you guys change lives!

[@clinteastwood5299]

Saw Exodus Death Angel and Testament on February 8 2020 in Oslo Norway.Had tickets for MFH May 25 moved to November we will see if it happens Ozark RULES

[@simonorch]

Was at the same gig dude \m/

[@hickas]

Jeg også

[@NorseBsicuit]

Damn! I was there as well, and i also had a ticket for that MH gig. Really hope it goes trough and happend \m/

[@marz444]

saw them all in London . they murdered!!

[@Grimeyhoob]

Gary Holt looks like he’s come straight out of Wayne’s World.

[@tog2842]

For 40 years of thrashing his balls off, he looks pretty good!

[@junechris]

@@tog2842 It depresses me to watch our idols age, but unfortunately were all human and I play drums too. :)

[@impetus_aus]

I mean, "Wayne" is his middle name...

[@kornfreak78]

You say that like it's a bad thing.

[@MrZyphose]

He totally reminds me of Norm McDonald with long hair. lol

[@MattC.98]

Been jamming to Vio-Lence and Exodus all week. Good to find this video of these two talking

[@clinteastwood5299]

Killer Metal Legends🤘 R.I.P Baloff

[@brianwood7237]

GREAT Show...glad to find your podcast Robb...I've watched ' Murder in the...' twice so far...love Gary in the doc...greetings from the NorthBay 707 rocks🤘

[@metalmickey]

Great interview love both guys

[@jimmyttkacz2006]

Great Questions Bro. Things I think Alot of fans never heard about the band which were killer times at least for me in the Bay !!! Ill be watching more of your show from now on for sure... Be safe out there.

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

First time viewer, Long time Exodus and Slayer fan here! Watching the interview now, very cool! New Sub... /w\METAL/w\

[@MistermookS]

Bonded by blood, Best thrash album of of all time.

[@daviddelano-oakes1082]

Impact is immanent is my favorite album. Awesome interview Mr Flynn 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@brinobackfire596]

I saw Exodus bonded tour with my homeboys from Venice at the Balboa theater in Inglewood. D.R.I., possessed and no mercy opened up.but Exodus sound was the sikest shit ever.it was so hot and the floor was slippery from all the precipitation and beers.a beautiful memory... HAIL EXODUS 👊

[@dizzycheffebastos3761]

..Damn !!!! Awesome!!! Great Robb!!!!! Really .. impressed!!!that it ... improve!!!congratuation..

[@MotionScreenFa]

I really enjoy this

[@kronosb]

The first time in years seeing you guys play Toxic Waltz was on the 70000tons deck stage. Surreal experience with the high winds, and ape shit pit crowd. \m/\m/ Highlight!!!!

[@louielouie3900]

Great interview! Thx@Rob and Gary. And yes: finally, somebody nails the fact that without riffmaster Holt, Pantera would have kept going on with 3rd tier hair metal ;-)

[@jeremiahotoole4718]

Best episode yet!!!!! Wish he asked about Hammet and recording Salt The Wound However still totally amazing show

[@klcwradiolakecityseattle3836]

so glad theres still attention bein payed to this lifechanging era of my lifetime. I was so lucky to be like 13 and have family who would let me and my best friend go to S.F. for the holidaze and visit his mom and she was kool with us goin to see Metallica on new years eve. it was so epic! Im from the northwest and basically everything along 1-5 from bellingham to ashland is my stomping grounds as a young man. so seeing Metal church from my kinda hometown (whereI was born) Seattle-ish. And seeing one of my alltime faves EXODUS! and one of the few times Megadeth and Metallica shared a stage back then. such a huge event to me and in my lifetime! I just love Gary and exodus! I bought bonded by blood like just about5 months before we saw this show and it was just epic to see live! I seriously love hearing the stories from the people bringing us the noise! HAHAHA! WWBD! (what would Bailoff do!?) cheers to Gary for carrying the torch for us in so many different ways! who could step up and fill in for Jeff from SLAYER!?! I will never forget seeing Exodus and they were celebrating the 30th anniversary of bonded by blood! I was like damn! were fuckin old! and theres so many founders still out kickin up dust and showing kids how its done! I found this scene at the beginning of my mind being blown open by punk and noise. I saw DRI in an abandoned house near my home in eugene Ore. at like 13 yrs old and the punk scene there was amazing! I saw Dr.Know and ill repute, some of those nardcore bands still own a huge place in my head and heart...RKL! but seriously getting to see some of the best of the bay area thrash scene in a huge venue as a kid.. it just solidified it as my favorites and definatly my roots! we caught some death angel on that trip! it just honestly changed my life. I know I pissed off the owner of our local record store in Eugene( the record garden) Metallica said the master of puppets would be out in like 3 months from new years, it was almost a YEAR BEFORE IT ACTUALLY MADE IT TO THE SHELVES! Im positive my best friend and I called or asked in person atleast once a week for like a year! but because we were starving for new shit we discovered SOD! who are also some of my most memorable and influential. we found poison idea and Kreator I saw Neurosis and Bad Brains.. such a great time for music!! thanks for sharing your stories fellas! luv all your music!!

[@dansnow7374]

This is fantastic. I love Exodus and Machine Head. Two good dudes the progenitors of the music that I love talking shop just awesome.

[@sunpizzas]

Awesome!

[@rrf85]

Yeah! That "And Then They Were None" groove

[@marksommerville5857]

Same hat Gary, awesome. I've been smoking shitloads of weed too. Fuck me what else we gonna do? I just crank up the stereo and smoke few cones. Fucken love the new album. Awesome as always. Thanks Rob,great chat. It's always cool to see people from my favourite bands. Been an Exodus fan since Bonded came out. I 1st saw them live at the London Astoria in 1988.

[@kronosb]

Gary is in an elite class of guitarists.

[@thadood4373]

Robb, I'm loving the show. Try to listen more though. I'll use Rogan as an example. He is great at asking a question and letting the person he's interviewing answer. You have a tendency to interrupt the person your interviewing. And as a person listening, it's tough because alot of times I want to hear what they have to say. I'm not trying to be a dick, just an observation. Keep them coming though!

[@Nightshade1881]

So fucking annoying when he interrupted Gary twice when he was gonna talk about his hondo strat

[@metalfuk69]

2 bad asses!! sup Robbbbb!!!

[@rhymescheme7623]

I don't smoke very often BUT ... weed + extreme music =bliss. You can just hear every little nuance in a technical song.

[@dwmiresii]

My all time Fav is War is my Sheppard... it was the first song I ever heard and got me into them...

[@ThrushCZX]

The last show I saw this year was The Bay Strikes back show with Testament, Exodus and Death Angel, March 6th in London. We didn’t know at the time it’d be the last of the year (and who knows for how long) but what a rager to be a last show. I hope the industry recovers, it’d be a travesty for these bands never to tour again.

[@mikeblan5421]

Funeral Hymm ....killer riffs

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

Ever seen the covers on Funeral Fk'n Hymn channel? Dude slays!

[@Spaghetti_policy]

Lived in Fremont. FMT PUNX. It was a violent time for sure. We used to have eviction parties all the time. Get an eviction notice, invite hella people, buy 2 kegs and call up the bands. Always ended up an all out fight in the streets. Good times... 🤘

[@ohwebber]

Impact is Imminent tour was great. Suicidal Tendencies opened. Killer album too. Heavy!!!!!

[@herrderfinsterins104]

Gary is the King man! 😎😎😎

[@slipknotmfkrlocust8843]

Saw Slayer live twice, they were great live.

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

Always great live. Seen them twice too besides tv also. Saw SLipknot in orange jumpsuits around 99 with Mudvayne too! Slayer, Slipknot, Mudvayne covers, footage and more here bro!

[@devilscheeseburger50K]

Amazing observation

[@bcbitchkkv]

Initial reaction: "Oh cool, 2 hours interview with the biggest riff lord in thrash" Sees the host: "Oh..."

[@ryansouthard4929]

Gary’s video lessons are insane FYI.

[@autopsy72]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 AWESOME 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@mattchewhadaway167]

Okay so I think Gary meant Randy Burns, Randy was Combats metal producer. He did seven churches and originally did peace sells. He also did a Death album (not “does death albums” which is how I interpreted it when he said Scott Burns).

[@johnhudson4520]

Really enjoyed this. That part about Zetro having a hard time didn't end there. I saw the band I think at Graspop in Belgium, on one of those where Gary was out with Slayer. Never liked Exodus playing without Gary

[@GMHG777]

Gary Fucking Holt is THE BEST !!!! AWesome interview Robb !

[@HAMP698]

very good.

[@kevinw8688]

Gary = LEGEND...PERIOD "." ....

[@curia8487]

i fucking love Gary, super cool guy...the best!

[@klcwradiolakecityseattle3836]

I love the ultimate revenge intro with the wasted like homeless lookin dude just joining in and yellin' like hes part of the fans..

[@kronosb]

The EXODUS/MOD show at Harpo's was epic. However, The house security had an on stage brawl with MOD. After the smoke cleared, you guys slayed, and the pit rules changed to insanity.

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

Billy Milano is posting vintage footage of SOD/MOD shows... maybe it's there! SOD-MOD channel

[@kronosb]

@@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS thanx...it will be fun to investigate

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

@@kronosb Yeah dude, I just did a SOD cover yesterday

[@klcwradiolakecityseattle3836]

RAVEN played the skating rink nearby when I was a kid.. it was awesome! HAHAHA!

[@ryansouthard4929]

Machine Head came here and I was too drunk. I kept giving the band the finger all night. Don’t know why. But I do know I loved Machine Head after that night.

[@CyMBoLiK33ViBeZ]

Always Loved burn hollywood burns solos

[@rogeranderson1744]

I saw Exodus with Venom - Manchester - Classic

[@robhellawaits7971]

Rob Dukes is the best singer Exodus has ever had. Please Gary, Bring back the one and only Rob Dukes!

[@thrashordie93]

This is fucking awesome! anybody know if there are other metal podcasts out there?

[@benben-sl7hi]

Great interview! Love this!....BRING BACK DUKES!!!!👊🏻

[@davidmichaelsen9805]

Hell bo

[@davidmichaelsen9805]

HELL NO

[@cannibalcorpse6664]

David Michaelsen hell yes dukes is a fucking beast

[@davidmichaelsen9805]

CANNIBALCORPSE666 I like Souza and Baloff way better.

[@ericwilliams538]

Through my formative teen years, I have to say, Exodus was my main, go to band. Exodus and Vio-Lence actually. Where everyone else was swinging on Metallica's balls!!! I sort of let let Exodus slip through the cracks after Impact, and rediscovered them on Tempo of the Damned.

[@cliffanderson7544]

Love this shit Rob

[@rutbuck121]

LOL Robb's reaction @1:03-ish when Gary said basically "it takes longer for other people to realize what's important, cut all the fucking BS and just make music" Robb was like "ya...ya...i get it" *moving onto next question* like it hit home with him knowing he lost soo many band members in MH due to his BS.

[@Truck_Driver_Shawn]

Fantastic find on KZbin today...... How in fuck did I not know about this

[@alexroyster182]

I really like the re recording of Bonded by Blood done in I think 2011 Dukes really crushes it and the Andy Sneap production is crushing. Still like the original recording better but the 2011 album is badass. I really do miss Dukes but I grew up with Baloff and Zetro so it makes sense to have him back but I still thought it was pretty fucked up how they fired him when he was on his honeymoon with his wife and Gary didn't even tell him, he had Hunting do it and they did it because Chuck Billy is their manager and talked them into getting Zetro back because of money and nostalgia because fans like me will love to have Zetro back which is true but my favorite albums lately are the three that Dukes is in. Those three are some of the best thrash I'd ever heard in my life.

[@jengelenm]

I was on that show (“the bay strikes back”) in oberhausen, february. A friend of ours went to the same show some week later and he got the Corona on that show (from the crowd). After that the tour was canceled😭🤮👊It was such a cool tour and line up! Every band killer! This was my very last concert, a month later corona kicked in. Next august i hope to go to Alcatraz fest, death angel and testament were originally scheduled. The belgium government is allowing the fest from now. I missed the “ bonded by blood” full set cause Dynamo Metalfest got canceled. Even bought the Bonded longsleeve to prepare😀 i hope to catch up that show!!!! Exodus attacks!!! For me they deserve to be on the same level than big4 (big5 👊)

[@stinkfloyd1]

Some day stories about the NYNJ death metal scene 88-93. It'll give these youngsters a run for their money

[@jeremycurley1619]

Listen to ‘No Love’ the ending solo Robb is talking about the solo Gary did with the Whammy bar. Crazy because it sounds like it was with a Floyd. The H team is a crazy fucking duo!

[@dusting5789]

Deliver us to evil🤘 is probably my favorite old school song..but its even better remastered. Good day to die is bad ass🤘Gary Holt fucking rules!!!🤘🤘😎🤣

[@dalegribble1560]

Back in the day me and a buddy of mine when we were piss drunk would yell "Toxic Waltz" or "Exodus Attack" before we would smash/destroy random inanimate objects. Good times y'all!

[@nealgunn5862]

Could someone tell me where Gary said he was working when the band broke up they were both talking at the same time I couldn’t hear Gary

[@Celestial_Being666]

I’m sure the re-recording of Bonded By Blood Let There Be Blood album cover art is what Gary was referring to when he said he wished it would’ve been what it was in his head not the baby blue 💩 that was presented to him

[@lcf3335]

🤘🥃🥃

[@Razrback]

I was at a Pantera concert dude was in the bathroom with his fkn nose split in half, i was like are you ok he said... . DUDE I WAS IN THA PIT DUDE FKN RAD LOL LOVE IT

[@franciscomarquez3678]

I'm sorry I have to ask, who was in the bathroom with a split nose? Gary?

[@geirholte1222]

Holt is a metal God.

[@backlashjohnsparks]

got to open for them and skinlab in 96 i think!

[@brittanymwancientlight]

🏵💛🏵

[@dailywarcraftreforged9816]

Cajun Hell!

[@Aenigmakil]

Ozark is sick 😄😎

[@vincevandergraff1508]

1:08:15 - Robb, why would you think the record "would have been horrible" had they worked with the legendary Scott Burns from Morrisound? Great interviews, and much respect to you and your work in Forbidden, Vio-Lence, and Machine Head, but I'm scratching my head as to why anyone would think working with Scott Burns on a record "would have been horrible". With all due respect, I'll have to 100% disagree with you on that. I know it's only your opinion, but what gives? There's always a first time for everything, and I must admit that's the first time I've heard anyone portray that sentiment.

[@cr01554nt]

it made me a bit sad that gary didn't mention rick's divebombs in bbb when robb asked about those

[@patrickblackmon9825]

ROB 🤘🔥🙂🔥👍 GARY 🤘🔥🙂🔥👍

[@apenas1inaciao]

I wish that chucky billy exodus massacre could be somewhere we all could find

[@floridianthrasher5426]

Saw machine head Pensacola in 2018 Huntsville 2020

[@dlimmel]

Bout time GAry returned to EXODUS! Lets get it on donkeykong! Blacklist!!

[@Unclegian]

Gary Holt auditioned for Machine Fucking Head?!?!?!?! WOW!!!!!

[@rejeancomeau77]

Gary is the sh*t man ! Such a great funny dude too

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

Hey... Cool profile Pic man!

[@rejeancomeau77]

@@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS thanks man , Schecter 7 strings Jeff Loomis JLV-F played and signed by the man in a guitar clinic in 2013 . It's a total beast. Cheers man

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

@@rejeancomeau77 Oh WOW! Sounds SICK! I was comparing 7 string V's. The Solar but it has no Floyd, and the Jackson RRX24-7 just like my RR1 but 7 strings, 24 fret. Probably don't "need" one yet }Bo)

[@rejeancomeau77]

@@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS it's a hard decision for sure . That Schecter probably got a father massive neck compare to the Jackson. I never try it . But I know I might be more comfortable with the Jackson . Very hard to say . But I love that massive weapon feeling of it and still very comfortable to play.