Exodus

Bay Area thrash heroes who gained fame and influence for their highly aggressive musical and lyrical approach, Exodus emerged in the early 1980s alongside West Coast contemporaries Testament, Possessed, Death Angel, and Metallica -- the latter outfit's longtime six-stringer Kirk Hammett began his career in Exodus. Pioneers of the scene, the band found success with their influential 1985 debut Bonded by Blood, and their similarly acclaimed 1989 third effort Fabulous Disaster. Exodus' popularity waned as the grunge scene took over in the early '90s, forcing them to cease operat...