Metal Sludge Gossip Board

Exodus Vocalist Battle! Paul Baloff VS Steve 'Zetro' Souza VS Rob Dukes
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/yhD9K_CzVNM

Lots of polarizing responses to the singers.
Some people are glad that Dukes is back because they didn't like Zetro.
Others say they're done with Exodus.
The rest will never be happy because Baloff is deceased.

Where you do stand?

I see no need to go watch Exodus any more. The reunion shows and album with Zetro were great , and won’t be topped by Dukes.
He has no charisma or stage presence and a forgettable voice.

They were on a relatively good run. These guys can’t get out of their own way.

Zetro is the best.

I voted Baloff/Zetro good, Dukes sucks....although Dukes doesn't ruin Exodus either, Shovel and Atrocity 1 are great albums.

It's hardly controversial that Baloff's screeching was an acquired taste. Bonded is great musically... Zetro was 'the voice of Exodus' for me, for the 2nd and 3rd albums plus Blood In Blood Out. 'Roid Guy was 'just another vocalist'.

I like Exodus, although I've definitely got them below Overkill and Testament when you're talking about thrash bands. And a large part of that is the vocals. The only proper answer is, "They all suck".

I dont know much Exodus, but in that vid, for Bonded By Blood, Dukes sounded the best to my ears.

I agree with GoodJudge that Baloff voice was an acquired taste.

My pick is Baloff and Zetro.

In terms of overall "frontmanning," you gotta go Baloff. The stage raps remain unparalleled.

Zetro's got a good thrash metal voice. Sounds exactly like how thrash metal should sound.

The best vocalist, skillwise, is for sure Rob Dukes.

How the fuck am I the only one that voted Dukes and Zetro are good, Baloff sucks?

I wasn't a huge Dukes fan but grew to like him, mostly because the Exhibit albums are phenomenal.

And this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdesjnjp9OQ

He still comes across as someone you'd want to punch in the face, tho.

Michael Hotts Ghost wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2025 7:49 am They were on a relatively good run. These guys can’t get out of their own way.

Don't think they'll suffer much. They're living from festival gigs, and those are purely based on the name.
Not hard to understand Holt won't suffer going out with a Trumper anymore.

Ontopic: Baloff was great on the fantastic debut album, but no way he could've pulled of Tempo.
Dukes is not my style at all, but his enthusiasm live mostly made up for it to me. Don't care for any of the post-Shovel albums, regardless of who's singing.

This dude from Hells Headbangers comments on Exodus are hilarious. Worth the watch (whether you agree or not):

https://youtu.be/82A3m69V5Oo?si=OpGUvSJChIWMF3A0&t=174


"We used to do the monkey but now it's not cool"

Baloff of course

Michael Hotts Ghost wrote: ↑Sun Jan 26, 2025 3:39 pm This dude from Hells Headbangers comments on Exodus are hilarious. Worth the watch (whether you agree or not):

https://youtu.be/82A3m69V5Oo?si=OpGUvSJChIWMF3A0&t=174

"We used to do the monkey but now it's not cool"

Holy shit that's funny!! I'd love to know how many he says 'monkey' in that 27 minutes.

I agree with him on that and some other stuff, but overall he's waaay out there, he's like an elitist kisstard for underground bands.

Can you imagine running into this dude at a show and having a conversation??