Bay Area thrash legends Exodus have announced their 12th studio album, Goliath, arriving March 20, 2026 via Napalm Records. Even better? This marks the triumphant return of iconic frontman Rob Dukes, who last appeared on 2005’s Shovel Headed Kill Machine.
The first single ‘3111’ has just dropped, and let me tell you, this is HEAVY METAL in its purest form. Yes, there’s a long intro that takes its time building, but that classic riding, pulsing, climbing sound is absolutely there. The track tackles the harrowing subject of narco killings in Juarez, with the title referencing the estimated 3,111 murders in 2010 alone. Heavy subject matter delivered with heavyweight thrash.
The accompanying video was apparently too brutal for YouTube and has been pulled. Gary Holt released a statement addressing this, promising it will surface elsewhere eventually. Classic Exodus.
Goliath has been a very collaborative album with four songs written by guitarist Lee Altus, lyrics contributed by Gary Holt, Dukes, Altus, and drummer Tom Hunting. The band describes Dukes’ vocal performance as “the performance of his life.” Guest appearances from Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy, Pain) on ‘The Changing Me’ and violinist Katie Jacoby on the title track add unexpected dimensions.
Mixed and mastered by Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, Nile), this follows their highest charting record ever. The band even teased that an 80 percent complete follow-up is already in the works.
You can catch Exodus tearing through the UK and Europe from March 20th alongside Kreator, Carcass, and Nails, including London’s O2 Academy Brixton on March 27th. They’re also hitting North America with Megadeth and Anthrax in February, then again with Sepultura from late April through May.
Goliath drops March 20, 2026.
