EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt has spoken at length about the band's upcoming album "Goliath" in a series of new interviews, revealing that it is the most collaborative record in the band's four-decade history. For the first time, songwriting duties were shared across the entire lineup — guitarist Lee Altus, bassist Jack Gibson, and drummer Tom Hunting all contributed significantly to the creative process alongside Holt and returning vocalist Rob Dukes.
Holt expressed genuine enthusiasm about Dukes' return to the fold, saying the chemistry was immediate upon reconnecting. "The second Rob walked back in, it was like he never left," Holt told MetalTalk. Dukes, who fronted EXODUS from 2005 through 2014 across four studio albums, brings a ferocious vocal intensity that Holt believes perfectly matches the sonic direction of "Goliath." The reunion came after Steve "Zetro" Souza's departure in early 2025, and Holt has made it clear there are no hard feelings — just a recognition that Dukes was the right voice for this material.
Guest appearances from Peter Tagtgren of HYPOCRISY fame and classically trained violinist Katie Jacoby add unexpected dimensions to what remains, at its core, a crushing thrash metal album. Holt was particularly enthusiastic about Jacoby's contributions, noting that violin and thrash metal make a surprisingly powerful combination when handled with intelligence and taste.
Holt also discussed his sobriety and the intense discipline he brings to his guitar work, noting that staying sober has sharpened his playing immensely. "I practice more now than I did when I was twenty," he admitted. The guitarist also revealed that the album was mixed by Mark Lewis rather than longtime collaborator Andy Sneap, marking the first time in over thirty years that EXODUS stepped outside that partnership. The "Goliath" album arrives March 20 via Napalm Records, the band's first release on the label.