Exodus - Bonded By Blood again

Exodus guitarist/leader Gary Holt is one of the most likeable, opinionated and quotable musicians that we at the Harder Beat have ever had the pleasure of interviewing. The purpose for today’s interview is Let There Be Blood, a modern day re-recording of the band’s groundbreaking thrash classic, Bonded By Blood. While some may snicker at the thought of a band re-recording a classic album as a blatant attempt at pulling in some extra cash, Holt couldn’t care less.

“I understand how people would think we’re doing it for the money, but you know what? Since when do I give a f*uck what some cynical anonymous prick sitting at his computer and posting shit on websites thinks about what I do for a living? This band’s entire existence and its fan base has been built on not giving a f*uck about any of that. Besides, we did Let There Be Blood as a tribute to our first singer, Paul Baloff, who died of a stroke in 2002. It’s completely out of respect for him. Plus you gotta admit, the f*cking thing sounds monster now. It actually has bass!” He laughs. “We were stupid, angry kids when we recorded Bonded By Blood. We didn’t know how to mix an album and sure as hell couldn’t figure out how to mix the bass back then. We were smart enough to bring in Andy Sneap to mix it this time. That always helps. Maybe I wouldn’t call it “smarter.” “Less stupid” would be more appropriate.”

Sneap has been a very “in-demand” producer in the industry for over a decade. “He’s f*cking awesome, man.” Gary elaborates. “That guy just knows metal, period. He knows when a song needs to beefed up for maximum effect, and when something needs to be toned down. Bonded By Blood didn’t need any toning down,” Gary laughs.

“Seriously, he relates, “Andy had to choose between actually producing a much-bigger band (who will remain unnamed) that sells way more than us, or he could mix this album. Well, he pissed off the president of a large record label when he told him he was going with Exodus. See? Even indirectly, Exodus still pisses people off after 25 years. I f*cking love that!”

And speaking of pissing people off, Holt’s directly confrontational style has always lent itself splendidly to the current state of America and the sorry, confused, desperate politics that currently dictate our country’s direction. We asked his opinion on current politics.

“You asked man, so here you go,” he jokes. “Sarah Palin? Are you f*cking kidding me? Man, that’s a woman who just begs to be made fun of. Seriously. How can you not? The fact that there are people taking her seriously… I mean, really? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again right now. The so-called “Family Values” Republican Party recently attacked the media for coverage of her and her family, but they’ll f*cking parade her daughter’s knocked-up ass out there for all to see as some warped example of “Family Values.” So we’re to believe a pregnant 17-year-old girl forced into a sham shotgun wedding to a self-proclaimed “f*cking redneck” is some shining example of “family values? Come on already, I know you live in Bumf*ck, Alaska, but I’m sure there’s at least one condom in that state. It’s been said that, on average, there’s one person per square mile in Alaska, so I understand your daughter’s choices were probably limited when she was looking for someone to f*ck, but she thought this dickhead was the most promising? Really?”

His tirade continues. “I guess her and Jamie Lynn Spears can get together and lecture kids on how fantastic life can be as a teenage, newlywed mother - if you’ve never had to worry about paying your f*cking bills, that is. Or maybe Sarah Palin and Jamie Lynn Spears’ mother can get together and write a new book on good parenting.” He laughs again. “It seems we have a new way to gain a front row seat to the Republican National Convention. F*uck our potential Vice President’s underage daughter and you’ll get a shave, haircut and a new suit! How great is that? Don’t write about her pregnancy, though. That’s crossing the line.

“I do have to hand it to ‘em though. They found a new political strategy - only parents are allowed to exploit their children for political gain. Is that the lesson you’re trying to teach Americans? Man, we should all feel so stupid, because we should have learned this lesson long ago. And Palin’s take on foreign policy is hilarious. If Vladimir Putin enters Alaskan airspace, that makes you an expert on our foreign policy? I’ve flown over Germany, so I guess I’m an expert on Germany’s foreign policy. I watched her interview with Katie Couric. It was cringe-worthy.”

You may not like Holt’s politics, but you have to admit, the man is funny. Let There Be Blood will be available on Oct. 28.