Exodus/Slayer Guitarist Gary Holt Announces That He’s Quit Drinking: “It Doesn’t Feel Like a Party Anymore”

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Among metal’s hard-working musicians, Gary Holt has always been one of the more outspoken personalities. Fans are used to seeing the Exodus and former Slayer guitarist on stage wearing a shirt that says ‘Kill The Kardashians,’ or taking a moment on his social media accounts to bray at oversensitive PC culture. But now, Gary has come forward to reveal a more personal development: he’s quitting drinking.

“Day one for me, here I go,” wrote Gary beneath a picture of blocks spelling out the words ‘Quit Drinking.’ “This last year has been one in which I’ve come to realize the drinking needs to go. Been a long party for me but it doesn’t feel like a party anymore. I’m not perfect and the booze has crept up on me. Here’s to feeling clear and lucid from here on out.”

 

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Kudos to Gary for making the healthy choice and taking care of business when he needs to. If you or anyone you know is dealing with alcohol dependency and needs help, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Take care of yourself — no drink is worth living anything less than your best life.

Gary’s timing is especially good given that Exodus are working on a new record right now, currently titled Persona Non GrataIn a recent interview, the guitarist answered the constant inquiry of whether or not Slayer would return by saying that his flagship band is his #1 priority.

“That’s a question I couldn’t answer you, whether Slayer would ever get back together,” said Holt. “Those are questions that are above my pay scale, I guess you’d say…Look, if the powers that be ever — like, in a year or something — said, ‘Hey, you know what? We feel like playing some shows,’ I’m there to do it,” he said. “But those aren’t decisions for me to make, or even me to really speculate on. As far as my knowledge, the band is over, and the final show was November 30th, 2019. And I’m full speed ahead with Exodus now.”

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Words by Chris Krovatin