Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1980 in San Francisco, California by guitarist Gary Holt, current Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, and singer/drummer Tom Hunting.

1982 - 1985

In 1982, Exodus included Kirk Hammett and Gary Holt on guitars, Paul Baloff on lead vocals, Geoff Andrews on bass and drummer Tom Hunting. This lineup recorded the band's 1982 Demo.

In 1983, founding member Kirk Hammett left Exodus to join Metallica and was replaced by guitarist Rick Hunolt and Rob McKillop replaced Andrews on bass. This line-up recorded and released their debut album, Bonded by Blood in 1985.

1986 - 1991

Shortly before the recording of Pleasures of the Flesh in 1987, Paul Baloff was replaced by Steve "Zetro" Souza, who had previously been the lead vocalist for the San Francisco band Legacy (later Testament). Baloff later went on to form the band Piranah.

Exodus' line-up remained fairly stable for the next few albums but the band never garnered the success of their peers. After two studio releases (Fabulous Disaster and Impact is Imminent) the band released their first live effort, Good Friendly Violent Fun.

1991 - 1998

After the release of Good Friendly Violent Fun, the band toured sporadically for a year and released another studio album, Force of Habit. This album was a departure for the band, containing several slower, "heavier" songs with less emphasis on the speed/thrash basis of their older material.

After a few dormant years, Exodus released only another live album in 1997 titled Another Lesson in Violence and featuring the return of vocalist Paul Baloff. Exodus disintegrated again, partly due to a falling out with record label Century Media over the way the live album was promoted, and over an aborted attempt at a live concert video which was filmed but never released due to a financial dispute.

2001 - 2004

In 2001, Exodus reformed again, initially to play the Chuck Billy benefit, the Thrash of the Titans mega concert. There was talk of recording a new studio album and the band continued to play local gigs in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. In February 2002, Paul Baloff suffered a seizure/stroke and died. Former vocalist Steve Souza was recruited back into the band to finish the rest of their concert commitments.

Although it appeared to outsiders that with Baloff's death Exodus would cease to exist, guitarist Gary Holt was determined to release a new studio record. The result was 2004's Tempo of the Damned released on Nuclear Blast Records.

2005 - Present

In 2005, Hunolt decided to leave the band to concentrate on his family life. He was replaced by Heathen guitarist Lee Altus. Tom Hunting also left, citing strong personal objections over some of Holt's anti-Christian lyrics.

Hunting was replaced with Paul Bostaph who had previously played with Forbidden, Slayer and Testament.

Souza also left under disputed terms in 2005.
He was replaced intitially by Steev Esquivel (ex-Defiance and Skinlab) and then later by Rob Dukes whose first recorded performance for the band is 2005's Shovel Headed Kill Machine.
Tom Hunting returned to the band in March 2007.

Current line-up
Rob Dukes - Vocals (2005-)
Gary Holt - Guitar (1982-)
Lee Altus - Guitar (2005-)
Jack Gibson - Bass (1997-)
Tom Hunting - Drums (1980-1989, 1997-2005, 2007-)

Former/past member(s)
Vocals:
Tim Agnello (1980)
Paul Baloff (April 5th 1960 - R.I.P February 2nd 2002, stroke) (1981-86, 93, 97-2002)
Steve "Zetro" Souza (1986-92, 2002-04)
Matt Harvey

Guitars:
Rick Hunolt (1983-1993, 1997-2005)
Kirk Hammett (1981-1983)
Mike Maung (1983)
Evan McKaskey (R.I.P.) (1983)

Bass:
Carlton Melson (1980)
Jeff Andrews (1980-1983)
Rob McKillop (1983-1991)
Mike Butler (1992-1993)

Drums:
Paul Bostaph (2005-2007)
John Tempesta (1990-1992)
Chris Kontos
Nick Barker (European tour 2009)

Interestingly, Les Claypool of Blind Illusion and Primus, who was a schoolmate and friend of Kirk Hammett's, was asked to join the band as a bass player in 1980, but declined, citing a taste for free-form jazz at the time.