Exodus is a thrash metal band founded in 1980 in California. Formed by guitarists Kirk Hammett and Tim Agnello , drummer Tom Hunting , and bassist Carlton Melson , Exodus's lineup changed rapidly. Shortly after the release of their first EP, Hammett left to join Metallica , and by the time their first album, Bonded By Blood, in 1985, only Tom Hunting remained as a founding member.
With Paul Baloff on vocals, Gary Holt and Rick Hunolt on guitars, and Ron McKillop on bass, Bonded By Blood pleased both audiences and critics, earning the band a contract with Sony/Combat Records . After the tour to promote their debut album, Exodus fired their vocalist due to artistic differences and hired Steve "Zetro" Souza .
With this lineup, the band released Pleasures Of The Flesh and Fabulous Disaster After their third album, Exodus began touring with Anthrax and Helloween , and in 1990 Hunting was replaced by drummer John Tempesta , with whom Exodus released Impact Is Imminent that same year.
In 1992, the band released Force Of Habit , without bassist McKillop, who was replaced by Michael Butler . Shortly after the album's release, Exodus went on hiatus, releasing a live album in 1997, Another Lesson In Violence , and returning only in 2001 touring the US, with Hunting back on drums.
In 2002, Paul Baloff passed away, a victim of a stroke. Despite rumors of the band's end, Steve "Zetro" Souza returned and Exodus released *Tempo Of The Damned* in 2004. Souza announced his departure again due to differences in interests, and Exodus hired new singer Rob Dukes . Their seventh studio album, *Shovel Headed Kill Machine* , also featured Lee Altus , the guitarist who replaced Rik Hunolt, who left due to drug problems, and Paul Bostaph on drums, who played only during Tom Hunting's temporary absence until 2007.
In the same year, the band released The Atrocity Exhibition… Exhibit A and in 2010 Exhibit B: The Human Condition . In 2014, the band announced the return of vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza and the release of their tenth studio album, Blood In, Blood Out . Exodus is currently considered one of the biggest thrash metal bands and has sold over 5 million albums worldwide.
