Exodus stands as one of the true pioneers of American thrash metal. Formed in Richmond, California in 1979, the band originally featured Kirk Hammett before he joined Metallica. With guitarist Gary Holt and frontman Steve “Zetro” Souza, Exodus forged its unmistakable identity.

Their debut album Bonded by Blood (1985) is a cornerstone of the genre, standing proudly alongside the early works of Slayer and Megadeth. Fast, aggressive and unapologetic, Exodus perfectly captured the raw spirit of Bay Area thrash at its peak.

Despite lineup changes and hiatuses, the band has never strayed from its roots. Their explosive comeback in the 2000s with Tempo of the Damned reaffirmed their place among thrash metal’s elite, alongside acts like Testament.

On MusikMachine, the embroidered “Bonded by Blood” patch pays tribute to one of the genre’s defining albums — a must-have for any fan of speed, riffs and rebellion ⚡