Persona Non Grata
Studio album by
Exodus
ReleasedNovember 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)
RecordedSeptember[1] – October 2020[2]
StudioTom Hunting's three home studios in Lake Almanor, California[3]
GenreThrash metal
Length60:18
LabelNuclear Blast
ProducerExodus[4]
Exodus chronology
Blood In, Blood Out
(2014)		 Persona Non Grata
(2021)
Singles from Persona Non Grata
  1. "The Beatings Will Continue (Until Morale Improves)"
    Released: August 20, 2021[4]
  2. "Clickbait"
    Released: September 17, 2021[5]
  3. "The Years of Death and Dying"
    Released: October 15, 2021[6]
  4. "Prescribing Horror"
    Released: November 19, 2021[7]

Persona Non Grata is the eleventh studio album by American thrash metal band Exodus, released on November 19, 2021.[4] It is their first studio album since Blood In, Blood Out in 2014, and their second to feature vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza since he returned to the band that same year. This album also features guest appearances from former Exodus guitarist Rick Hunolt and guitarist Lee Altus' bandmate in Heathen, Kragen Lum, who both provide guitar solos on one of the album's tracks, "Lunatic-Liar-Lord".[8] This is the band’s final album to be released through Nuclear Blast, whom the band signed with in 2003.

Plans for the follow-up to Blood In, Blood Out were made as early as 2016,[9] and work on the album had been slowed down by relentless tour schedules and guitarist Gary Holt's commitments with Slayer, until the latter disbanded in 2019 following a farewell tour; as such, it is the first Exodus studio album to be released since Slayer's disbandment.[10] The recording sessions of Persona Non Grata took place from September to October of 2020,[1][2] with the album being fully completed in January 2021.[11] The album was initially set for release in the summer of 2021,[12] but it was pushed back to November, due to drummer Tom Hunting's diagnosis with squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach.[13][14]

Background

After leaving Exodus in 2004 amid a bitter feud between himself and guitarist Gary Holt,[15][16] frontman Steve "Zetro" Souza returned to the band in June 2014, and appeared on their tenth studio album Blood In, Blood Out, released four months later.[17] The album received positive reviews and the band spent more than two years touring behind it. When asked in a June 2016 interview with The Age of Metal when Exodus were going to release a new album, Souza said, "I hate to speak for everybody, because one of our members [guitarist Gary Holt] plays in Slayer, which is very important to us and to him as well. And, actually, Gary is the main songwriter and has always been in Exodus. And so we'll have to, obviously, look at his schedule, but just having, actually, conversations with him since we've been home [off the road] and conversations with Tom, I mean, we know we need to keep new music going. And 2017 would be… Say it was towards the end of 2017… That would be three years since my return [to the band] and three years since Blood In, Blood Out came out. So I think that's fair to say you should be able to put a record out in that amount of time. And we've always been able to write an album in an… like, come home and concentrate on it, and within five or six months, we have it written and done — even less [time] than that. We know what we're doing. We know Exodus. We've been doing this for so many years. It's just like getting on a bicycle and riding it."[9]

In a May 2017 interview with Metal Wani, Souza stated that Exodus would enter the studio around October or November to begin recording their eleventh studio album for a March 2018 release.[18] Drummer Tom Hunting added, "We're just structuring songs right now. I think we've probably got five or six maybe, and the makings for the rest of 'em — bits and pieces here and there."[19] Souza explained that the material did not sound like a continuation of Blood In, Blood Out but rather "a lot of records put together, I think.", later describing it as "heavy as shit, though — really fucking heavy."[20] Writing for the album had continued by January 2018.[21] Souza later went on to say that fans would have to wait until at least the end of 2019 for the release of new studio album, mainly due to Holt's commitment to Slayer's farewell tour.[22] He then said that the new album would possibly be released in late 2019 or early 2020, promising that the album would be "very violent and very heavy".[23]

In June 2020, Exodus announced that they would begin recording their follow-up to Blood In, Blood Out in September;[1][24] pre-production of the album had begun a month earlier.[25] In November 2020, it was announced the title of the album would be Persona Non Grata and was planned for release the following summer.[12][26] In April 2021, very shortly after drummer Tom Hunting revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer, Souza announced that the release of the album had been pushed back to November,[14] though as reasons he cited both Hunting's illness and vinyl manufacturing issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[27]

On August 20, 2021, Exodus announced that Persona Non Grata would be released on November 19, and its lead single "The Beatings Will Continue (Until Morale Improves)" was released on the same day through streaming services.[4] On September 17, 2021, Exodus released the second single from Persona Non Grata, titled "Clickbait".[5] On October 15, 2021, Exodus released the third single from Persona Non Grata, titled "The Years of Death and Dying".[6] On November 19, 2021, the official release date of Persona Non Grata, Exodus released the album's fourth and final single, titled "Prescribing Horror".[7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Blabbermouth.net7/10[28]
Ghost Cult Magazine9/10[29]
Metal Epidemic[30]
Metal Injection9/10[31]
Sonic Perspectives9.0/10[32]

Persona Non Grata has received highly positive reviews.

It was elected by Loudwire as the 23rd best rock/metal album of 2021.[33] The publication also elected "The Beatings Will Continue (Until Morale Improves)" as the 11th best metal song of the same year.[34]

Track listing

All lyrics and music written by Gary Holt except where noted.

Persona Non Grata track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Persona Non Grata"  7:30
2."R.E.M.F."  4:22
3."Slipping into Madness"Steve "Zetro" SouzaLee Altus5:33
4."Elitist"Souza 3:58
5."Prescribing Horror"  5:09
6."The Beatings Will Continue (Until Morale Improves)"  3:01
7."The Years of Death and Dying"Tom Hunting 5:22
8."Clickbait"  4:31
9."Cosa del Pantano"(instrumental) 1:13
10."Lunatic-Liar-Lord" (feat. Rick Hunolt and Kragen Lum)  7:59
11."The Fires of Division"  5:23
12."Antiseed"  6:17
Total length:60:18

Personnel

Exodus

Additional musicians

  • Rick Hunolt – lead guitar on "Lunatic-Liar-Lord", backing vocals[35][36][27]
  • Kragen Lum - lead guitar on "Lunatic-Liar-Lord"[8]
  • Cody Souza – backing vocals[37]
  • Nick Souza – backing vocals[37]

Charts

Chart performance for Persona Non Grata
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[38] 33
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[39] 24
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[40] 44
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[41] 45
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[42] 43
Scottish Albums (OCC)[43] 42
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[44] 22
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[45] 12
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[46] 3

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Exodus To Enter Studio In September". Blabbermouth.net. June 18, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "The Razor's Edge: Interview with Zetro of Exodus" – via YouTube.
  3. ↑ "Exodus Drummer Tom Hunting on Studio Recordings For New Album – "I Was Stapling Pieces of Fabric to the Ceiling to Try and Get Those Sound Waves Right for the Cymbals Crashing"; Audio". bravewords.com. October 13, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Exodus: 'Persona Non Grata' Album Details Revealed; 'The Beatings Will Continue' Single Now Available". Blabbermouth.net. August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Exodus Releases Lyric Video For New Song 'Clickbait'". Blabbermouth.net. September 17, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Exodus Releases Lyric Video For New Song 'The Years Of Death And Dying'". Blabbermouth.net. October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Exodus Drops Lyric Video For New Song 'Prescribing Horror'". Blabbermouth.net. November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  8. 1 2 "Show #614 - Gary Holt (Exodus)". November 4, 2021 – via YouTube.
  9. 1 2 "Steve 'Zetro' Souza Says Next Exodus Album Could Arrive In Late 2017". Blabbermouth.net. June 14, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Gary Holt: "I had one job in Slayer and one job only. Go out, play killer, bang your head and play a little bit of a guitar hero role. I wear a lot more hats in Exodus"". 12 August 2022.
  11. ↑ "Zetro's Toxic Vault - Everything Exodus - Live Stream 8/25/21". YouTube.com. August 25, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Exodus: New Album Title Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. November 19, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Exodus Drummer Tom Hunting Diagnosed With Squamous Cell Carcinoma". Blabbermouth.net. April 13, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  14. 1 2 "Exodus Delays 'Persona Non Grata' Album Release Until November". Blabbermouth.net. April 28, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Returning Exodus Singer Steve 'Zetro' Souza Says He Has "Changed A Lot' In Last Ten Years". Blabbermouth.net. November 3, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Exodus Singer Steve 'Zetro' Souza: 'Gary Holt And I Have A Really Great Relationship Now'". Blabbermouth.net. March 25, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Exodus: 'Blood In, Blood Out' Release Date Confirmed, Cover Artwork Unveiled". Blabbermouth.net. July 31, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Exodus To Record Follow-Up To 'Blood In Blood Out' In The Fall". Blabbermouth.net. May 5, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Exodus Has 'Five Or Six' Songs Written For Next Album, Says Tom Hunting". Blabbermouth.net. June 10, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Exodus's Next Album Will Be 'Heavy As S**t,' Says Steve 'Zetro' Souza". Blabbermouth.net. June 21, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Will There Be A New SLAYER Studio Album? 'I'd Say It's A No,' Says Gary Holt". Blabbermouth.net. January 25, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  22. ↑ El Prezidente (22 February 2018). "Interview: Exodus' Steve "Zetro" Souza talks cartoons, Mr. Pickles Thrashtacular tour, Exodus album update". metalinsider.net. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Exodus's Next Album Will Be 'Very Violent And Very Heavy'". Blabbermouth.net. August 6, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Gary Holt Is Writing 'Crushing' Riffs For Exodus's Next Album". Blabbermouth.net. June 1, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  25. ↑ jomatami. "The First Exodus Album in 6 Years Is in Pre-Production". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  26. ↑ "New Exodus Music Is Coming In June 2021, Says GARY HOLT". Blabbermouth.net. December 10, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  27. 1 2 3 4 "Exodus's Gary Holt Talks About New Single 'The Beatings Will Continue (Until Morale Improves)' (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. August 24, 2021.
  28. ↑ Roche, Jason (12 November 2021). "EXODUS - "Persona Non Grata"". Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  29. ↑ Alcock, Gary (16 November 2021). "ALBUM REVIEW: Exodus – Persona Non Grata". Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  30. ↑ Burton-Morris, Jordan (15 November 2021). "Exodus - Persona Non Grata". Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  31. ↑ Podoshen, Jeff (19 November 2021). "Album Review: EXODUS Persona Non Grata". Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  32. ↑ Smith, Jonathan (17 November 2021). "Exodus - Persona Non Grata (Álbum Review)". Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  33. ↑ "The 45 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2021". Loudwire. Townsquare Media. December 10, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  34. ↑ Al-Sharif, Rabab; DiVita, Joe; Hartmann, Graham; Richardson, Jake; Trapp, Philip; Summan, Yasmine (December 6, 2021). "The 35 Best Metal Songs of 2021". Loudwire. Townsquare Media. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Show #614 - Gary Holt (Exodus)". November 4, 2021 – via YouTube.
  36. ↑ "New Exodus Album To Feature Guest Guitar Solo From Former Guitarist Rick Hunolt". Blabbermouth.net.
  37. 1 2 "Exodus Wake Up the Beast with 'Persona Non Grata'". knotfest.com. 3 November 2021.
  38. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Exodus – Persona Non Grata" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  39. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Exodus – Persona Non Grata" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  40. ↑ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2021-11-29/p/5" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  41. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums [2021/11/24 公開]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 24, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  43. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Exodus – Persona Non Grata". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  46. ↑ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
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