“Behind closed doors, the marriage was done and over”: Gary Holt breaks silence over Steve “Zetro” Souza’s Exodus exit
After a surprising announcement that thrash metallers Exodus have parted ways with vocalist Steve “Zetro” Souza, guitarist Gary Holt has commented for the first time on the split.
Zetro held the role of lead vocalist in Exodus between 1986 and 1994, 2002 and 2004, and a final third stint from 2014 to 2025. His departure was marked with a statement on social media.
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“Exodus have parted ways with Steve “Zetro” Souza,” the statement reads. “We thank Steve for his years fronting the band and all the killer music we made during that time. The band go on to add that they are “beyond stoked” to welcome former vocalist Rob Dukes back into the fold, and confirm a new record is on the way.
Now though, main songwriter and guitarist Gary Holt has broken his silence, responding to a fan’s comment on Instagram [via Chaoszine]. The fan asks, “Why was Zetro let go?” to which Holt responds, “If I told you, you’d understand. I’ve no desire to talk badly about him. It’s a marriage, being in a band. Behind closed doors, the marriage was done and over.”
Earlier this month, Zetro also made his own comments regarding his departure [via Metal Insider]. “Really, no statement, I was let go,” he says on Instagram. “If you read the statement, it says Exodus has parted ways, not Zetro has parted ways!” He later reiterates, “I did not leave, I was let go! Exodus parted ways with Zetro.”
Despite the member shake-up, Exodus forge forward. Now rejoined by former vocalist Rob Dukes, who fronted the band between 2005 and 2014, they’ve recently announced two Bonded By Blood 40th anniversary shows that will take place in California on April 25 and 26. Each show will see the influential thrash metal album played in full. Support comes from Death Angel, Blind Illusion, and Nukem.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
