In a recent appearance on the Pod Scum podcast with host “Reckless” Rexx Ruger, former Exodus guitarist Rick Hunolt reflected on his legacy with the band and their influence on the broader thrash metal scene, including on giants like Metallica and Slayer.
When Ruger suggested that the guitar pairing of Hunolt and Gary Holt deserves to be mentioned alongside James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett of Metallica, as well as Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King of Slayer, Hunolt responded: “Thank you, man. Well, we were there in the beginning, and honestly, I’m not afraid to say that we probably, we inspired those guys very much, all the guys you just named. But we were all from the same exact amoeba. The DNA was pretty much the same over here on the West Coast with this little, small group of guitar players.”
Reflecting on his longtime musical partnership with Holt, he added: “Playing in a band for 30, 35 years with Gary was incredible. We respected each other — we still do to this day — very, very much. And we love each other very, very much. And we’ll be brothers forever. Absolutely. He is a busy guy. And I agree, Gary Holt‘s a phenomenal riff writer, dude. Phenomenal.”
When asked to name the high point of his guitar work with Exodus, Hunolt pointed to three specific albums, each significant in a different way: “If I had to stack all the albums right there in front of me and look at the performances on every album… If you’re talking lead guitar… I’ll tell you something. I’m gonna have to pick [2004’s] Tempo Of The Damned, as far as lead guitar and rhythm guitar playing. Because I was a really sick human being during that recording session. I could feel that my time with Exodus was coming to an end. And it was devastating, dude. And when I go back and I listen to those solos, dude, it’s just, like, ‘Holy shit, man.’ I could feel the pain. In my soul, dude, I could feel it. And some of the solos are just, in my opinion, some of the best stuff I’ve ever recorded.”
He continued: “And so I’ll say Tempo Of The Damned. I mean, commercially, I’d have to say [1989’s] Fabulous Disaster, as far as commercial success with ‘Toxic Waltz’ and the Headbangers Ball tour. And then, as far as groundbreaking, I’d have to say [1985’s] Bonded By Blood. There are different categories in the way I look at the catalog and go, ‘Wow.'”
Hunolt is now part of Nefarious, a California-based thrash metal group that includes Katon W. De Pena (Hirax) on vocals, Doug Piercy (Heathen, Anvil Chorus) on guitar, Tom Gears (Blind Illusion, Ancient Mariner) on bass, and Will Carroll (Death Angel) on drums.
Their debut album, Addicted To Power, is set for release on July 18, 2025, via Relentless “Metal” Records, with collector vinyl available through Hectic/Bleeding Priest Records.
Although Exodus is often left out of the so-called “Big Four” of 1980s thrash metal, that includes Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax, their 1985 debut Bonded By Blood helped shape the sound of the genre. It played a crucial role in inspiring bands like Testament, Death Angel, and Vio-Lence, and remains one of the most influential thrash albums of its time.
