Key Takeaways
- Song Release: Exodus released “3111” as the lead track from their new album Goliath.
- YouTube Issues: The band faced challenges with YouTube due to the violent content of their video.
- Alternative Promotion: They created a separate website to share their original vision for the video.
- Collaborative Effort: The album showcases significant collaboration among band members, enhancing its overall vibe.
Exodus hit hard with “3111,” the first song to come from their new Goliath album, but when it came time to do a video for the track, they ran into some issues with YouTube over the clip. Being flagged for its violent content, the band was forced to come up with another way of promoting their song and video.
In speaking with Full Metal Jackie on her weekend radio show, Exodus guitarist Gary Holt addressed his primary beef with the decision and the reaction it caused within the group.
Holt says he and Rob Dukes worked on the lyrical idea surrounding the narco killings in Juarez, while Lee Altus took the musical lead. But when it came time to do the video, the violent nature of the clip caused YouTube to flag it. According to Holt, while researching the topic he watched videos on YouTube to get a better understanding of the subject matter. But then the same platform where he had done his research had an issue with including some of the violent things he learned about from YouTube.
“Most of this stuff came from YouTube, which are parent companies and it’s okay to host these photos and stuff on your websites, but not with us on your same website. That makes no sense,” said Holt. “YouTube flagged it and they flagged it again and flagged it to the point that in the final warning they threatened to take away our channel entirely. Like ‘We’ll delete you.’ We don’t want that. So we did an edited version.”
However, wanting to share their initial vision and then being told no, the guitarist says they shot another video with “really, really, truly horrific photos and stuff” and then created another website to host the clip without YouTube’s interference.
In addition to speaking about “3111,” Holt offers insight on the inner workings of Goliath. He digs in on why “The Changing Me” might be his favorite track on the new record. And he speaks about the amazing talent they are sharing the stage with in a near non-stop schedule to start the year. Plus, Gary gives us an update on where things stand with the follow-up to Goliath that was being recorded at the same time.
Check out more of the chat below.
It’s Full Metal Jackie and we’re back with one of my favorite guests. Always a pleasure to welcome back Gary Holt of Exodus. Obviously Gary’s been hard at work for a long time now with the band on their 12th studio album, Goliath. This truly feels like it’s been a labor of love for the band and it shows up in being one of the most collaborative efforts from the group. Can you speak to the overall vibe of putting this album together and the wealth of everyone coming to the table with something?
The vibe was awesome. Every album, we’ve rented vacation homes and built studios in them or, this time we used a regular studio but we had a rental Airbnb nearby and we lived together and we created the whole time.
We went in and I think I had like four songs finished and we recorded 18. Lee [Altus] really was super motivated and he wrote almost half the album. And Rob [Dukes] wrote lyrics, Tom [Hunting] wrote lyrics, Lee wrote some lyrics and I wrote the rest. And Jack [Gibson], his input’s as valuable to me as anybody even if not as a songwriter but as a sounding board.
He’s usually the first person I ask their opinion. Everybody just was so motivated and into it and it was awesome. It was so much fun. We still like each other’s company, so that helps.
That says something after two months together and then we left on tour two days later, We’ve been grinding and we’re about to grind harder.
Exodus, “3111”
Gary, let’s talk about that song. Inspiration can come from many places, but what brought you and the band to writing about the narco killings in Juarez for “3111”?
As Exodus is wont to do, we’re always looking for something twisted to write about.
That was Rob’s idea and Lee wrote the music to that and I just co-wrote the lyrics. I did a bunch of research and Rob and I put it together and it’s just an awesome song. It’s just, “All right, this is gonna be the lead-off song of the record.” And the video, the difficulty of getting that on YouTube is a whole other story.
But considering most of the footage came from Google and YouTube, it makes no sense at all, but that’s an argument I’m having with myself. But the song is killer and we actually did a third version of the video now.
Since YouTube denied us the finished one, we decided to make one that truly has every reason to be banned. It’s like super gross, disgusting.
You can find that version at exodus3111.com.
Gary, we were just talking about the lead-up in releasing “3111” and where you ran into a bump in the road for the video with YouTube initially rejecting it over violence. How much of a surprise was that? Did it give you any pause in eventually being able to find a way to share your original vision with fans?
Our director, Jim Louveau, he said from the beginning, “I think this might get flagged by YouTube.” You know, all right. Most of this stuff came from YouTube, which are parent companies and it’s okay to host these photos and stuff on your websites, but not with us on your same website. That makes no sense.
Once again, I’m arguing with myself ’cause I don’t have anyone there to argue with. But YouTube flagged it and they flagged it again and flagged it to the point that in the final warning they threatened to take away our channel entirely.
Like “We’ll delete you.” We don’t want that. So we did an edited version. The original version’s on a X account and because they banned it, which it wasn’t so bad, you know? I decided to make one that was really bad. So we found some really, really truly horrific photos and stuff. Once again, check out exodus3111.com to see that version of the video.
Gary, another standout song on Goliath is “The Changing Me,” which featured a guest turn from Peter Tägtgren from Hypocrisy. How did Peter come to be part of this album?
That’s another one of Lee’s songs and it was Lee’s vision all along. Peter’s one of our best friends since we first toured together I think back in 2006 and I did a solo on a Hypocrisy song, “Scrutinized,” way back when he did some background vocals on “Exhibit B” on The Sun Is My Destroyer.
Lee knew what he wanted; it was his vision. He wanted these clean vocals on the chorus, and Peter sent back several tracks. It’s just lush and beautiful. And Tom Hunting also contributed cleans. And Peter and Rob are having a screaming fest at the end; that was entirely Lee’s vision.
It’s one of my favorite songs; it’s so sick. And Peter just put it over the top; made it just rad.
Exodus (with Peter Tagtgren), “The Changing Me”
Gary Holt of Exodus on our show celebrating the release of their new record Goliath. A few years ago you took part in Slayer’s farewell tour; now you’re joining Megadeth for their final run leg tour. Having been through this experience before, do you have any words of wisdom you’d share? What are your thoughts on seeing another peer from ’80s thrash scene calling it a career?
Well we’re also doing Sepultura’s farewell U.S. Tour.
Right, of course.
So many guys calling it quits; but I’m not going anywhere! I’ll just say that right now; I’m gonna keep doing this until I can’t you know? That’s what I love doing; I can’t retire! I’d have to go get a job! But I’m glad to be part of it!
We’re all super longtime friends; I’ve toured more with Anthrax than any band on Earth between Exodus and Slayer! Toured with Dave [Mustaine], known Dave since beginning; Sepultura are some of our closest friends so it’s gonna be good time! I can’t wait! I’m looking forward!
Gary it’s looking like quite year ahead! Shows with Megadeth; Anthrax; Kreator; Sepultura’s final North American run before summer! You’ve been in this long enough that these are just your friends; it’s like hang out! But as music fan what does mean for you play quality bands you’re getting share stages this year?
This means everything! It’s gonna be amazing! Every band’s just top game! We’re going so hard out gate for this album! We really believe in this record! So we’re starting off touring schedule …. We didn’t do this when I was 25! We’re doing Megadeth tour; we’re home eight days then nine weeks straight!
Wow!
I never toured nine weeks! That’s crazy talk! But these are great tours; we don’t have carry whole bill! And I like playing punk rock clubs for few hundred people! It’s awesome! But we’re going out all big shows; it’s gonna be great way launch album that’s so near dear us!
We really believe in this! So we’re going hard! We got little break after early summer but we’re just gonna hit run!
Gary last time spoke talked little bit idea you’re essentially writing working multiple albums! We’ve got Goliath, but just because record coming out doesn’t mean creative side stops! Can you give update where things stand musically beyond Goliath? Have you noticed something lyrically thematically or style-wise made next collection songs you’ve worked targeted follow-up album instead Goliath?
Well we recorded 18 songs; we came two shy stated goal finishing follow-up so could have break! We’re getting older; could prepare release while still touring without having head back studio! But will have do that! And probably by time get there Lee I have written more than two songs!
This hard decision pick songs for album; other ones aren’t throwaways! I have full-on anxiety attacks which songs chose because some my favorite stuff next album! But felt really into collection!
For instance I wrote two epics two long dramatic songs; didn’t wanna put both this album so put “Summon God Unknown” this one next album is just like eight-minute hammer head bludgeoning criminal how heavy is! But we’re like “We’re gonna put these away!”
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Some my favorite solos other songs you know? Just way worked out! And lyrically every song independent itself so that’s never issue! But yeah we have little work do but huge head start follow-up already!
Gary with all touring ahead I’m gonna guess there’s probably gonna be some Goliath‘s songs making set? But might also road test some new material next record?
No that stuff won’t heard seen until released!
All right.
If put out now it’s just there forever!
Yeah but nice have many songs even that would been possibility.
We even joked about like “Well maybe we’ll make double album.” But without sounding greedy don’t get paid penny more your record deal giving them two albums one!
Right.
It doesn’t count two records yeah Metallica can put out two albums because they’re own record label now!
Right.
But there nothing it for us do plus wasn’t our goal along anyway!
The new Exodus record called Goliath, Exodus gonna be road very long time! Be sure see them these many tours Gary always pleasure catch up you thank much.
Thanks Exodus’ Gary Holt interview Goliath available now keep up band via website Facebook X Instagram YouTube Find hear Full Metal Jackie’s weekend radio show here.
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