Slayer is experiencing their fair share of drama right now. Beyond just having contractual disagreements with Dave Lombardo, original guitarist Jeff Hanneman has not been in the band for two years. And, it looks like he might not be coming back.
Gary Holt, Hanneman's fill-in has been with Slayer during that time and many are questioning Holt's commitment to his original band, Exodus. Holt says he isn't going anywhere.
In a new interview with Metal Titans, Holt says he is still on Team Exodus:
Not if it meant the end of what I’ve been doing my whole life. If I could manage both, you know… But I’ve been filling in for just over two years now and I’m booked all year with them. But I’m just keeping the work going with Exodus and I’ve been doing a lot of riff writing on tour. And on the summer [run] with Slayer, I’m taking a little portable, digital recording rig with me so I can continue working on [new Exodus] stuff in hotel rooms and shit.
The ironic thing about all of this is that a day after this interview was released, the organizers of the Maryland Deathfest announced that Exodus dropped off the fest:
Well, here's another billing change to report. Due to a "VARIETY of personal issues and matters with one of the members", Exodus will not be performing at MDF XI. We're just reporting the info we receive, folks.
Sacred Reich have been confirmed to fill the vacant space on Sunday at MDF.
It's very safe to assume the reason Exodus dropped off is due to Holt getting a much higher offer to perform with Slayer, and not wanting to mess up that gig, but this is pure speculation. UPDATE: The band has since released a new statement revealing that the cancellation is due to a personal matter in Holt's life, with his ailing father.
It must suck to be the other members of Exodus, sitting around waiting for Holt to be available and missing out on bookings such as the above one.
Exodus are currently touring on the Metal Alliance Tour with Anthrax, High on Fire, Municipal Waste and Holy Grail. Get dates here.
