Video: Exodus Drummer Tom Hunting Performs Live for First Time Since Cancer Diagnosis

Exodus drummer Tom Hunting has begun his long road back to playing shape since cancer sidelined him, sitting in with Hellhunter at a San Francisco gig for one song, the Exodus classic “Metal Command.”

Hunting was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a form of cancer, earlier this year. The drummer recently underwent a full gastrectomy — the complete surgical removal of his entire stomach — as part of his treatment. According to a late July update, his recovery was going quite well.

While Exodus soldier on with a new album, Persona Non Grata, due in November — Hunting recorded his parts before the cancer diagnosis — former drummer John Tempesta (also ex-White Zombie and ex-Testament) will fill in for Hunting live, including on the band’s upcoming tour with Testament and Death Angel.

But Saturday, September 18 at Thee Parkside in San Francisco was Hunting’s night to shine. The concert was a benefit for Hunting to help cover medical and recovery expenses. A GoFundMe has also raised over $108,000 from generous metalheads.

Watch the footage below.