Exodus' Prodigal Son

After singer Steve "Zetro" Souza unceremoniously left Exodus in 2004, it looked like the pioneering Bay Area thrash metal act would forever be without the blood-curdling voice behind such classic albums as 1987's Pleasures of the Flesh (1987) and '89's Fabulous Disaster. Exodus' turbulent 2002-2004 era was Souza's second stint in the band, following the halcyon days of 1986-'92. Aside from singing on the band's best post-hiatus album, 2004's Tempo of the Damned, Souza's second stint was marked mostly by personal discontent and inner-band turmoil. A decade, however, seems to have healed old wounds, as Souza rejoined the band in June 2014. "Third time is definitely the charm," Souza says. "No one is at each other's throat. We are all older men now who respect each other's space."

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With fellow three-time member Tom Hunting (ex-Angel Witch) on drums and guitarist Gary Holt (now a full-time member of Slayer) as the lone constant on the band's 10 studio albums, Souza's return brings together three-fifths of the classic '80s lineup. This unlikely reunion has netted more than the occasional tour or appearance on a heavy metal cruise. Instead, the band has regained relevance due in large part to a grueling schedule that's brought three package tours through Atlanta in less than a year.

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Exodus' constant touring over the past year included Atlanta stops last Nov. 22 at the Tabernacle with Slayer and Suicidal Tendencies and April 23 at the Masquerade opening for Testament, a band Souza co-founded in 1983. The group will keep repeat customers in mind when putting together a 45 minute set list for its Nov. 16 return. "I think we hit Bonded by Blood, we hit the new record, we hit Fabulous Disaster, and we hit Tempo of the Damned," Souza says. "It's a great balance. It's a good set with a few songs we haven't played in a while."

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This time around, headlining act King Diamond performs 1987 concept album Abigail in its entirety. Souza is honored to share the stage with a true heavy metal pioneer. "If they knighted metal guys, he'd be Sir King Diamond," he says. "In fact, I refer to him on stage every night as Sir King Diamond. Look at all the people he's inspired with his lyrical content and music. Think of all the barriers he's broken for other artists that play theatrical type metal. He's well named because he is the king."

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Exodus has crossed paths with King Diamond before, dating back to one of Souza's earliest performances. "I'd been in Exodus for like six weeks, and we played a show with him at Fenders in Long Beach," Souza says. "We went to eat dinner and when we came back, he was in the dressing room putting on makeup. He stopped, looked at me in the mirror, and said, 'You are the new singer for Exodus,' in his Danish accent. I was like 'You know that?'"

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Nearly 30 years after that dressing room encounter, Souza is a legend in his own right. The 51 year-old remains sprightly, spending as much time on the road now as he did during the late '80's thrash boom.