For the troops in the trenches, it began in 1982 with a low generation copy of a local band’s three-song demo. For some, it began with their first listen to Combat Records’ version of “Bonded By Blood” in 1986. Regardless of the year EXODUS are the undeniable forefathers of thrash metal.

EXODUS gained huge notoriety in the international underground scene as a result of the tape trading community. Their dynamic guitar riffing, adrenaline-inducing drum work, and bloodied live shows made all the difference in the band’s mission to take Bay Area Thrash to a worldwide audience. The immortal, must-have, thrash classic “Bonded By Blood” was released in 1985 via Torrid Records (then re-released in 1986 on Combat Records), and inspired the likes of Testament, Death Angel, Vio-lence and many others. To this day “Bonded By Blood” is inspiring a whole new breed of thrash metal. Gary Holt, songwriter and lead guitarist of EXODUS, has released the following statement about the band’s decision to revisit this classic album that began an era in music history.

“After many years in the planning and discussion stage, we have finally completed the re-recording of “Bonded By Blood.” We have decided to call it “Let There Be Blood” and it is our way of paying homage to [original singer] Paul Baloff by showing how relevant these songs we had written together still are. We aren’t trying to replace the original, that’s impossible anyway. We are just giving these songs the benefit of modern production. It’s something we talked about before Paul’s death and it’s always been important to us to do. We were super excited about entering the studio once again to record these classics, and now it’s back to writing the next studio record!”

Produced by Gary Holt, “Let There Be Blood” was recorded at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, CA, JKZ Production Studio in San Rafael, CA with vocal tracks recorded at J. Rod Production Studios in New City, NY. Andy Sneap is currently mixing the finishing product.

The tentative release date for “Let There Be Blood” is October 2008 through Zaentz Records which has U.S. and European distribution.

Additionally EXODUS are embarking on a rigorous European touring schedule this summer. The confirmed dates are listed below.

7/24/2008 BRANDE-HOERNERKIRCHEN (D) Headbangers Open Air
7/25/2008 ROTTERDAM (NL) Baroeg
7/26/2008 LICHTENVOORDE (NL) Zwarte Cross Festival
7/27/2008 DEINZE (BE) Alcatraz Metal Fest
7/28/2008 TILBURG (NL)
7/30/2008 COPENHAGEN (DK) The Rock
7/31/2008 AARHUS (DK) Voxhall
8/2/2008 WACKEN (D) Wacken Open Air
8/6/2008 Villarreal (Castellon) Spain Salata
8/7/2008 Malaga Spain
8/8/2008 Pavilhao dos Lombos (lisbon) Portugal Alliance Fest
8/9/2008 Vigo Sp Alternavigo festival
8/10/2008 Barakaldo Bizkaia Spain Rock Star Live
8/11/2008 Barcelona SP Apolo 2
8/13/2008 Thrash Till Death Festival Bulgaria
8/14/2008 JAROMER BRUTAL ASSUALT FESTIVAL CZ
8/15/2008 DINKELSBUEHL (D) Summerbreeze Festival
8/16/2008 KOMEN (SLO) Metal Mania Festival
8/17/2008 BUDAPEST (HU) Sziget Festival
8/19/2008 Switzerland Zurich Rohstofflager
8/20/2008 Italy Ravenna Club
8/21/2008 FELDKIRK Satteins/Feldkirch
8/23/2008 Puero De Mazarron Leyendas Del Rock Festival
8/25/2008 Extreme Vision Festival (Ukraine)
8/26/2008 SWEDEN Venuea in Helsingborg
8/27/2008 Maiden Club Oslo
8/28/2008 BERGEN (NOR) Hole In The Sky
8/29/2008 Sticky Fingers Gothenburg
8/30/2008 Klubben Stockholm