RICK HUNOLT Says Early EXODUS Guitar Work Influenced METALLICA & SLAYER: "We Inspired Those Guys Very Much"

Rick Hunolt, former guitarist for Exodus, recently opened up on the Pod Scum podcast in a conversation with "Reckless" Rexx Ruger. The episode covered everything from his enduring bond with Gary Holt to the creative agony behind what he considers his best recorded solos.

Ruger made a bold comparison, placing Hunolt and Holt among the pantheon of legendary metal guitar duos—alongside Metallica’s James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, and Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Hunolt didn’t shy away from the praise.

"Thank you, man. Well, we were there in the beginning, and honestly, I'm not afraid to say that we probably — we inspired those guys very much, all the guys you just named. But we were all from the same exact amoeba. The DNA was pretty much the same over here on the West Coast with this little, small group of guitar players," he reflected (via Blabbermouth)

The chemistry between Hunolt and Holt was more than musical: "Playing in a band for 30, 35 years with Gary was incredible. We respected each other — we still do to this day — very, very much. And we love each other very, very much. And we'll be brothers forever. Absolutely. He is a busy guy. And I agree — Gary Holt's a phenomenal riff writer, dude. Phenomenal."

When asked to identify the high point of his guitar work with Exodus, Hunolt gave an unexpectedly raw and personal answer.

"If I had to stack all the albums right there in front of me and look at the performances on every album… If you're talking lead guitar… I'll tell you something. I'm gonna have to pick [2004's] Tempo Of The Damned, as far as lead guitar and rhythm guitar playing. Because I was a really sick human being during that recording session. I could feel that my time with Exodus was coming to an end. And it was devastating, dude."

The emotional weight of that album session still lingers for Hunolt: "And when I go back and I listen to those solos, dude, it's just, like, 'Holy shit, man.' I could feel the pain. In my soul, dude, I could feel it. And some of the solos are just, in my opinion, some of the best stuff I've ever recorded. And so I'll say Tempo Of The Damned."

Still, his view of the band’s catalog is layered, with different milestones holding unique significance: "I mean, commercially, I'd have to say [1989's] Fabulous Disaster, as far as commercial success with 'Toxic Waltz' and the Headbangers Ball tour. And then, as far as groundbreaking, I'd have to say [1985's] Bonded By Blood. There are different categories in the way I look at the catalog and go, 'Wow.'"

Though no longer in Exodus, Hunolt continues to keep his thrash roots alive. He now plays in Nefarious, a California-based band featuring a lineup of seasoned metal veterans: Katon W. De Pena (Hirax) on vocals, Doug Piercy (Heathen, Anvil Chorus) on guitar, Tom Gears (Blind Illusion, Ancient Mariner) on bass, and Will Carroll (Death Angel) on drums.