I know Exodus' place in history, everything we contributed, and that's enough for me.”
Gary Holt: Hello?
Wikimetal (Nando Machado): Hello, is Gary Holt there, please?
G H: Yes, it's him.
W (NM): Hi Gary, this is Nando from Wikimetal. I'm here with Daniel, one of our presenters. How are you?
GH: I'm fine, and you?
W (NM): We're doing well, we're very happy to have you on our show. First of all, I'd like to say that it's a great honor to have you on Wikimetal. We think Exodus is one of the most important bands in the history of metal in general, and I think you're largely responsible for continuing the band for so many years, always maintaining a very high standard, since your first album, which, at a certain point in my life, I was completely obsessed with. So thank you for everything you've done and welcome to Wikimetal.
GH: No, thank you. It's a pleasure to be here.
W (Daniel Dystyler): Excellent, Gary, this is Daniel. We met briefly when you filled in for Jeff Hanneman at a Slayer show here in Brazil. It's an honor to speak with you. I'd like to start by asking how you started playing guitar, and how you started listening to metal?
GH: You know, I grew up listening to hard rock and stuff like that, like a lot of other guys, and then I started getting into Judas Priest, I always listened to Black Sabbath and that kind of thing. I always wanted to play guitar, so when I had the chance and bought my first guitar, I just started practicing, you know?
W (NM): And what were your main influences as a guitarist at that time?
GH: Ah, Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, Angus Young, Ronnie Montrose, Eddie Van Halen… There are too many to count. Especially the classic and older guitarists.
W (DD): In your opinion, how important is "Bonded by Blood" to the creation of thrash metal? In my opinion, it's an album that changed music forever and influenced thousands of bands around the world.
GH: Yes, it's a very important album, you know, one that I'm very proud of. It will always be one of those essential metal albums.
W (NM): In your opinion, how important was the Big Four in promoting metal in general?
GH: Well, he certainly did a lot for thrash metal, you know, that's the essence of thrash metal, and I think that's good for everyone.
W (DD): And since we're on the subject, don't you think it should have been "The Big Five," with Exodus as well?
GH: Ah, you know, I don't think about it much… Those were the four bands that became the biggest thrash metal bands of all time. I know Exodus' place in history, everything we contributed, and that's enough for me.
W (DD): Well, that might be enough for you, but we would love for that to happen.
GH: Yeah, well… Who knows?
W (NM): Changing the subject, we have a classic question on our show, one that we ask everyone we interview: imagine you're driving your car, or maybe listening to music at home, and suddenly a song starts playing that makes you start headbanging wherever you are. What song would that be, so we can listen to it on the show now?
GH: Metallica's "Damage Inc." has that effect on me.
W (DD): Excellent. Could you announce the song?
GH: Yes, that next song is "Damage Inc." by Metallica.
W (DD): You just finished a European tour with Sepultura. Tell us a little about your relationship with them.
GH: Well, I've known Andreas for a very, very long time… And I met Paulo when we played at Via Funchal, when I was filling in for Jeff. And, you know, I'd never met Derrick or Eloy, he's the best drummer I've seen in the last 20 years, that kid is insane. And it was a lot of fun, you know, before the end of the tour we played “Refuse and Resist” with them, Andreas played “Piranha” with us, and in the last shows we did some absolutely ridiculous jam sessions… We played Iron Maiden, “Wrathchild”… And then we started torturing all the songs we wanted, we played “Living After Midnight”, a really bad version of “Seek and Destroy”, you know, all that kind of stuff, and it was a lot of fun.
W (NM): Did you know that Andreas is the "King of Jam Sessions"?
GH: Ah, yes, I know that. I've known that for a long time. He is the undisputed "King of Jam Sessions".
I am perfectly happy with where I've been, where I'm going, and where I am now
W (NM): Speaking a bit about the past, what do you think was Paul Baloff's importance to the creation of thrash metal?
GH: Ah, you know, Paul was… He was the face of thrash metal, you know, the guy made an album with Exodus and then a live album… And he's a legend, how many people achieve legendary status with one album? He was the main leader of thrash metal, he was… The ultimate leader of thrash metal.
W (DD): Gary, I think at least once a year, I get a video and call all my great friends to re-watch that video, at least once a year. So I have to ask: what do you remember about "The Combat" tour?
GH: Ah, it was crazy. We were with our good friends from Slayer and with our heroes, you know, Venom, so it doesn't get much better than that. There was a lot of fun, a lot of alcohol, but that's one of my favorite memories, many of them are from that tour.
W (DD): Gary, could you choose an Exodus song that you're very proud of writing for us to listen to on our show now?
GH: Yes, let me think… It would have to be “Beyond the Pale”, from the album “Exhibit B: The Human Condition”.
W (NM): So what are the plans for the future with Slayer? Do you have any news about Jeff Henneman's health at the moment?
GH: I haven't the slightest idea, I've been very busy with Exodus stuff… I know Kerry and Dave are writing and depending on Jeff to write… Hopefully he'll recover his health and return to where he belongs. If the time coincides and they need me, they know I'm always there for them, because they're my second family, so we'll see. But I hope Jeff will be back soon.
W (DD): Gary, is it true that you like foreign films?
GH: Oh yeah, I love foreign films, you know, Hollywood makes a lot of terrible movies.
W (NM): Gary, if you could start your career over, what would you do differently?
GH: I wouldn't do anything differently, you know… Because I don't believe in regret, I think everything happens for a reason, so… I'm perfectly happy with where I've been, where I'm going, and where I am now.
W (DD): We are very excited about the Exodus shows that will be happening here in Brazil. What can Brazilian fans expect from these shows in April?
GH: Total chaos. It's going to be crazy.
W (NM): How does Exodus choose the songs that will be played at shows after nine excellent studio albums?
GH: It's not easy, you know, we try to mix it up. Obviously we want to play new things, and obviously we also have to play our classics… We kind of switch songs whenever possible.
W (DD): Could you give some advice to a kid who's about to start playing guitar, or who's thinking about forming a heavy metal band?
GH: Practice a lot, and stay true to your craft, you know, forge your own creative path.
I just got back home and I'm not going to play guitar anymore until the end of the year
W (NM): I know you'll probably be touring for a while with your latest album, but what are the future plans for Exodus?
GH: After the New Year I'm going to start playing guitar again and writing, because I just got back home and I'm not going to play guitar anymore until the end of the year… I'm going to rest during the holidays and start writing, and I'll go back to the studio in the spring.
W (NM): So you're going to release a new studio album, right?
GH: Yes, yes.
W (NM): We're about to wrap things up here. Could you leave one last message inviting all Brazilian metalheads and headbangers to the Exodus shows in April?
GH: Yes, I want everyone to come, and they'll see something they've never seen before.
W(NM): I have no doubt, Gary. I really appreciate your time, it was a pleasure talking to you, and I hope maybe we can have a beer next time you come here.
GH: Absolutely.
W (DD): Excellent. Thank you very much for your time, thank you for your patience with us, and we will promote Exodus shows as much as possible here.
GH: OK, good, thank you very much.
W (NM): Thanks, Gary. See you later.
GH: OK, bye.
