EXODUS BRINGS THE THRASH

There’s a lot of hype surrounding the forthcoming 10th studio album from Bay Area thrash legends Exodus. “Blood In, Blood Out,” which will be released on Oct. 14, is the first Exodus disc in four years and the first to feature singer Steve “Zetro” Souza in a decade.

I’ve had a chance to listen to the set and I’m happy to report that the music lives up to the expectations. “Blood In, Blood Out” is punishing, pummeling, thrash executed with violent, military precision. The songs are extremely fast, aggressive and full of lyrical and musical rage. In short, it’s classic Exodus, a thrash fan’s dream. “Blood In, Blood Out” also features a guest solo from original Exodus guitarist Kirk Hammett of Metallica (“Salt the Wound”), vocal roars from Testament’s Chuck Billy (“BTK) and an electronic intro by Dan the Automator, who has worked with Faith No More frontman Mike Patton.

Exodus is hitting the road for its first tour in support of “Blood In, Blood Out,” opening a can’t miss bill with Slayer and Suicidal Tendencies that includes a stop on Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair. Guitarist Gary Holt will be on double-duty, as he also plays with Slayer. We spoke with Holt about the new album and the tour. In addition to Holt and Souza, Exodus also includes drummer Tom Hunting, bassist Jack Gibson and guitarist Lee Altus.

Can you tell us about the writing and recording process for “Blood In, Blood Out?”

We never really think about what an album will sound like ahead of time. It’s a super organic process. I just start up writing and if a song ends up 10 minutes long or 4 minutes so be it. We were super excited about making this album. It had been a long time. The time presented itself and we just worked our [butts] off. It was very old-school in how we went about it. Usually we set up shop in a large rehearsal complex. For this one we did it basically in Tom Hunting’s laundry room where he lives out on this goat ranch, which is where we tracked everything but the drums. I think we made a really remarkable record. We’re a band that loves doing this and I think it shows in the energy in the record. We just go for it. We love playing thrash metal.

During the recording process you brought Steve Souza back into the band. What prompted Steve’s return and what does he bring to the album?

We were already underway with the vocal process when we came to the decision that things weren’t clicking (with former singer Rob Dukes) and we had to make the change. The first thing we did was have a conversation with Steve to see where his head was at. He was 1,000 percent into giving this thing a shot. From there we gave him a new song and let him sing it. It sounded so natural. He just grabbed the reins and ran with it. It was a perfect fit.

What does the album title, “Blood In, Blood Out,” mean to you?

It’s just the fact that we have been bleeding this since the beginning. We are one of the world’s oldest standing thrash bands and we’re still shedding blood for this. We’re still standing and we’re still vibrant and putting out high-energy, quality records.

Can you tell us about the guest spots on the album from Kirk Hammett, Chuck Billy and Dan the Automator?

With Kirk (guitar solo on “Salt the Wound”), we’ve spent so much time together over the past few years with me performing with Slayer on the Big 4 shows, and we’ve reconnected on the level of when we were 17-year-olds. I said, ‘you should do a solo’ and it took him about two seconds to say yes. It’s a homecoming for him; he’s a founding member of the band. He taught me my first licks and chords. Chuck Billy (background vocals on “BTK”) came in one day just to check out the recording process and I put him in front of the mic to double some of the vocals. I knew he would blow the doors down. His voice is so epically powerful. Dan the Automator is an old friend of mine for the last 20 years. We’ve tried to do collaborations before but one of us would be on tour or not available and this time it worked out perfectly.

You also play guitar for Slayer. On this upcoming tour you’ll be pulling double duty. Is that difficult given the intensity and complexity of both bands’ music? Do you worry about getting tired or your hands cramping up by the end of the night?

I’ve done the double duty thing before but on shorter tours so it is going to be a challenge. I just have to take care of myself and stay off my feet as much as possible before the show. I’ve had some pretty severe hip issues the last few years. But I don’t worry about my hands. It keeps my chops at the top of their game.

IF YOU GO: Exodus, opening for Slayer and Suicidal Tendencies. 7:30 p.m. Saturday Nov. 29. Wellmont Theater, 5 Seymour St., Montclair. $20 to $99.50. 973-783-9500 or www.thewellmonttheater.com