New Exodus Album Delayed Until the Fall
Thrash metal fans aren’t known for their patience — not for nuthin’ is the genre sometimes called ‘speed metal’ — but they’re gonna hafta learn to hurry up and wait for the new Exodus album, Persona Non Grata. Originally slated to come out June, the band has now delayed its release until November.
As you’ve likely already guessed, the reason for the delay is drummer Tom Hunting’s recent diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, a form of cancer.
Hunting is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment, which is notoriously brutal (in a bad way); the band is giving the drummer time to make a full recovery so he can tour with them in support of the record.
The band’s frontman, Steve “Zetro” Souza, made the announcement earlier today (April 28) during the latest episode of his Zetro’s Toxic Vault YouTube show. Apparently gunning for the Understatement of the Year Award, Zetro noted that Hunting’s illness “has kind of a damper in things a little bit” before assuring fans Persona Non Grata will be worth the wait:
“It’s a career-defining record. You guys have not heard it yet, but it’s a career-defining album. And once you hear it, you will understand that. And it makes sense why we waited, so that he can BE part of this. ‘Cause nobody’s thinking he’s not — he’s gonna fully recover from this. And we’ll be out kicking your asses once again.”
Zetro went on express confidence that Hunting will make a full recovery:
“Tom is one of the strongest guys I’ve ever met, if not THE strongest guy. He lives in the mountains, and his training regimen is straight up out of Rocky IV. I mean, he chops wood, and he really chops wood. I could chop about three fucking logs if I was lucky, and I’m done. He’ll sit there and chop for hours. He’s a very strong guy, and we all know that he’s gonna beat this.”
For his part, Hunting shared a video thanking fans for their support this past Monday (April 26), and he appears to be doing well.
You can watch both Zetro’s Toxic Vault and Hunting’s video below.
A crowdfunding campaign to help Hunting with medical expenses, launched by Exodus guitarist Gary Holt, is currently underway. To date, it has raised more than $81,000, far exceeding its initial goal fo $50K. Public donors thus far have included not only current and former members of Exodus like Holt and Rick Hunolt, but also Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, Fozzy’s Chris Jericho, Obituary’s John Tardy, Carlos Cruz and Warbringer, Metal Blade’s Brian Slagel, producer Andy Sneap, and Murder in the Front Row director Adam Dubin. You can donate here.
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