We recently had the opportunity to chat with the legendary Steve "Zetro" Souza, frontman of Exodus, and it was nothing short of a blast. We dove deep into everything from his latest music projects, his support for the Hells Angels, to his personal journey in metal and life.
A Powerful New Exodus Record
We kicked things off talking about Exodus' latest record, Persona Non Grata. Steve was quick to say this is the best Exodus album ever—and I couldn't agree more. The new album is heavier than ever, and the band is clearly firing on all cylinders. Steve said it himself, this one feels special. "It’s just… yeah, this one's it," he said.
While the band hasn’t yet finalized the full setlist for upcoming shows, Steve is ready to bring this new material to the stage. He mentioned that while staples like Toxic Waltz and Bonded by Blood are essential, there's plenty of room for new tracks too.
Family, Music, and Biker Life
One of the most interesting parts of our conversation was hearing about Steve’s upbringing. His father, a biker, was the polar opposite of the typical musician's background, but he instilled a love for living life fully. "My dad was a biker—everything about his existence was his Harley," Steve shared. He also revealed that his father spent weekends on the bike, and his home was decorated with Harley memorabilia. That love for freedom and living on the edge definitely influenced Steve, though in his case, it turned into a full-on metal journey.
Steve also gave a shoutout to his two sons, who have grown into well-rounded, smart young men with an eye for music and business. It's clear that family plays a huge role in his life.
Support for the Hells Angels
A big part of Steve's identity outside of music is his support for the Hells Angels. He emphasized that being a supporter of the club is about loyalty and friendship, and he has close ties with several members around the world. While he admitted that if he wasn’t a musician, he may have even considered joining a club, he clarified that his role now is to show respect and support for the people in the club who are his friends.
The Old School Metal Influence
On the topic of influences, Steve spoke about how Exodus always looked up to Testament when they were starting out. While other bands might have been influenced by Metallica, Exodus felt a particular kinship with Testament's style. "We wanted to be like them," Steve said, showcasing that the spirit of competition and camaraderie within the Bay Area thrash scene was real back then.
But it wasn’t just about their musical influences. Steve even talked about the vibe and the energy of shows in the late '70s and early '80s. He reminisced about catching concerts at iconic spots like the Cow Palace in San Francisco and how he would scrape together money from his paper route to make sure he didn’t miss out.
What’s Next for Exodus?
As for what’s next, Steve hinted that Persona Non Grata is just the beginning. The band is gearing up for more live shows and may even bring some of the deeper cuts from their new album to the stage. "I love this record. I listen to it all the time," he said, adding that there are a lot of personal favorites on it.
For fans of old-school thrash and those who are looking for something fresh, this is a must-listen album.
Final Thoughts
Before wrapping up, Steve gave a shoutout to the fans: "November 19th, go get it. It’s heavy as shit. Persona Non Grata—you’re gonna want this one." And he’s right. If you’re into metal at all, you won’t want to miss this album. It’s heavy, it’s fast, and it’s Exodus at the top of their game.
Stay heavy. Support the underground. Long live metal.
Want more? Follow Exodus on their Website, Spotify, Facebook and catch them when they come to your town.
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