Persona Non Grata

Released in 2021, Persona Non Grata marks a significant return for Exodus after a seven-year studio hiatus. The album's creation was delayed by Gary Holt's tenure with Slayer and drummer Tom Hunting's battle with cancer, factors that seem to have funneled an extra layer of intensity into the performances. Sonically, it is a bridge between the band's 1980s foundations and 21st-century production standards, featuring a dense, layered mix that highlights the technical interplay between Holt and Lee Altus. The inclusion of former guitarist Rick Hunolt on 'Lunatic-Liar-Lord' serves as a nod to the band's 'H-Team' legacy. Critics noted the album's surprising length and complexity, with several tracks exceeding the seven-minute mark, a rarity for pure thrash. It stands as one of the most aggressive entries in their later-career discography, reinforcing their status as the definitive architects of the Bay Area scene.