“EXODUS” INTERVIEW by Keith Clements
It was a pleasure to have the pioneers of Thrash Metal and speak to the one and only Steve “Zetro” Souza the Vocalist of the band. Thanks to Nuclear Blast records for making this happen. Let’s hear from the man himself.
Greeting from Metalheads Forever Magazine, how are you today?
I’m doing well, It’s quite late out there in India, You should be sleeping now. How are you my friend?
Thanks Steve, I’m doing great, I’m happy to have this Interview with you, I Can stay awake for Exodus… Steve, the last album “Blood In, Blood Out” was released in 2014, how successful was it when it dropped as compared to its predecessors?
I think every record has its own level of merit and success as did the stuff we did early on. I have listened to the bits and pieces of the new songs. Gary Holt is the master in doing his thing and I think the power of Blood In, Blood Out will continue into the next records.
What is the best Exodus album you guys ever dropped?
You know I really like “Blood In, Blood Out” People say “Tempo Of The Damned”and some say “Bonded By Blood” a lot of people have their Opinion and I Just returned back to the band in the making of the album, there is a lot of efficiency and good songwriting, I Just loved the album from top to bottom.
At the moment, do you guys have any plans to release another album/ record?
We are actually writing materials right now, we might probably hit the studio by the end of the year. Maybe early march release next year 2018, I know that Gary and Tom have been working on the songs and some tracks but we are working on it my friend.
Have you decided on a album title or any of the artistic side in terms of album cover etc?
I have nothing, Gary has said nothing about that, I don’t have any idea of the name or the song titles or anything, actually I have sent some songs a couple of week ago and asked what we are calling it and we have not decided on it yet, I will let you know when I’m ready. I Will let you know so please don’t be embarrassed.
Steve, Exodus was one the frontrunners of Thrash Metal scene back in the 80’s how do you feel about that?
I agree, Exodus started their Trash sound way before I joined them. The reason I Started was because of ”The Legacy”one of Testaments Earlier albums. Yes in the big picture Exodus helped expand the Thrash sound. If you ask who innovated the sound that would definitely be Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax and Megadeth and that’s for sure. Dave was Still with Metallica when Exodus started going strong.
Although Exodus started way before the other bands, do you think If Exodus had released an album before the other bands, do you think Exodus would have a place in the Big 4? How do you feel about the term “The Big 4” When you have bands like Overkill, Death Angel and Exodus just to name a few arriving on the scene in a very close time frame?
I don’t like the “The Big 4” as a term, I Say that with no Disrespect for Slayer, Anthrax and Megadeth, But It sounds to me like “The Big One” and the other three. It’s more realistically “The other 7” of us, you can’t dispel Overkill, You can’t dispel Sodom, Kreator or Testament or Destruction and we are the bands right from the beginning.
Kirk Hammett was part of the band in the earlier years of Exodus before “Bonded By Blood” came out, Is there any particular reason for him to quit the band?
No, I don’t think so, we are all like one big family right from the beginning and even though they moved on and have done so much better than everyone else and have had great success. I still feel the roots are the same with everyone else and we’ve had dinner together. Most recently we met at the Lamb of God Show, Dave Lombardo was there, Robb of Machine Head was there as well so I see there is a lot of camaraderie.
What are your current plans, any tours in the works?
There are a couple of tours in the next few months, there is a festival coming up in Europe which we are taking part of, there are a couple of shows in The United States and basically get together and get back to the studio for the new Exodus album by October or November, Let’s see how that goes, I’m pretty sure that’s going to be the plan.
Exodus has never toured India, do you have any plans to come meet your huge fan base here?
Actually I watched a Iron Maiden concert In India and It was pretty crazy. I know it’s far to get to but we would really love to play. India has such loyal and really knowledgeable heavy metal fans so indeed it would be really great to go out and play and see some Indian fans in Exodus T-Shirts and rock the wall and see some of the Bonded In Blood out there, It’s going to be awesome.
Steve, you are also part of your Son’s band Hatriot, so how are things working on that front?
Well actually the boys are on their own now, I’m very busy with Exodus and I don’t have time for that now, My son plays bass and they have some new songs ready and new album will be coming out soon. Well I’m out of that now, I do Exodus and my sons does Hatriot. One Play drums and another on bass and Vocals.
So now it has become one big Metal music family, isn’t it?
Haha exactly my daughter she is in high school, she is in a choir and has an amazing singing vocals. All my children are into music and we make the right music.
Thanks so much for your time, really a great honor to share some great moments with you, do you have a message for the readers and fans?
Thanks so much, a real pleasure to talk to you, we will soon see you on the road and don’t forget I will see you in India and we will play for the metalheads out there.
Keith Clements/MHF Magazine
