Special report by Greg Prato

That Gary Holt is one busy gentleman, splitting his time between Exodus and SLAYER. And in the coming months, it appears as though it's going to be increasingly difficult for him to find any down time whatsoever.

Upon finishing recording Exodus' latest solo album (which will be their tenth studio effort overall), Mr. Holt will be playing several shows in May with Exodus (including a set on May 17th at Rock on the Range in Columbus, Ohio), before spending the summer touring with Slayer, and then if all goes according to plan, heading right back out on the road with Exodus to support their album's project fall release.

Recently, Holt somehow found some free time to chat with BraveWords correspondent Greg Prato about the new Exodus album, Slayer's upcoming studio effort, and recently performing a song with a scary monster.

BraveWords: How far along is the new Exodus album?

Gary Holt: "As soon as this interview's done, I'm on my way to start guitars today!"

BraveWords: How would you describe the material?

Gary Holt: "It's fucking crushing. I put it like this, everybody is usually patting themselves on the back - 'This new album is the new Master of Puppets, or the new Bonded by Blood, or the new Back in Black.' It's fucking killer. I'll let everyone else make comparisons, but it's amazing."

BraveWords: What about a new Slayer album?

Gary Holt: "I haven't talked to KERRY [KING] for a little bit. I think he's still writing. I don't know what's up - they haven't started recording yet, but when they do and they need me to lay down some leads, I'm ready."

BraveWords: So you'd say Exodus' album is further along than Slayer's?

Gary Holt: "Well, we've started recording. [Laughs] Song-wise, to the best of my knowledge, the Slayer album is complete. I know Kerry is continuing to write, so I think he's got a lot of stuff. I think they're just waiting for the right time to begin."

BraveWords: Will you have any writing credits on Slayer's album?

Gary Holt: "No, it's all them. That's their game, their thing. If in the future they want some additional help, I've got no shortage of riffs. But right now, they're all dedicated to this record."

BraveWords: Do you think that playing in Slayer may affect the material on the new Exodus album at all?

Gary Holt: "No, because I write the way I write. I'm flexible - I could write for fuckin' BON JOVI if I had to. Not that I want to, although the publishing check would be good, but it's like I do things my own way and I always have. And I still write the same way I did in 1985."

BraveWords: How was it playing KIRK HAMMETT's Fear FestEvil a while back?

Gary Holt: "That was a lot of fun. It wasn't our tightest show, because we were in the middle of doing nothing but working on new songs, and then we had to pull out all the other set and rehearse it for a couple of days. We jammed with Kirk on a couple of songs - it was a lot of fun. We did Blue Öyster Cult's 'Godzilla,' and he surprised us with someone in a Godzilla suit that came out and danced the whole song. I was laughing so hard I could barely play. It was awesome."

BraveWords: How would you describe your relationship currently with Kirk?

Gary Holt: "Just like it always was in the old days - we're close friends."

BraveWords: When do you think the new Exodus album will come out?

Gary Holt: "I'm thinking fall."

BraveWords: Any song titles?

Gary Holt: "I've got a lot, but I'm not giving anything out yet."

BraveWords: What about an album title?

Gary Holt: "No, not yet. It's too soon."

BraveWords: And what about touring plans for Exodus?

Gary Holt: "We've got six shows coming up in May with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and Slayer - so I'll be doing double duty on those. Then I'm busy for the summer with Slayer. When that ends, hopefully we'll be ready to start up with Exodus."

(Live photo by Joe Kleon)