On April 25th, the UC Theater in Berkeley was packed to the rafters for EXODUS: 40 Years of Blood, a celebration that paid homage to four decades of Bay Area thrash and the legacy of the late, great Paul Baloff the legendary frontman whose voice helped define a genre. on what would’ve been his 65th birthday.
The show was sold out, and the energy in the room was absolutely electric, a storm of denim, leather, and flying hair uniting both the old guard and a new generation of thrashers. The night kicked off with San Diego’s Nukem, whose relentless old-school thrash attack set the tone like a war cry, igniting a pit that never stopped swirling. Blind Illusion, hailing from nearby Richmond, followed up with their signature brand of progressive thrash, charging through complex riffs and time changes with the power of a runaway train.
Enter Death Angel, with Mark, Rob, Will, Ted, and Damien reminding us exactly why they’re still a force to be reckoned with. Mark reminded us about their last Berkeley show being 39 years ago, an inside nod to their roots. They tore through their set, igniting chaos and stirring up a frenzy of Ultra-Violence, just like they always do. With every note and scream, they reminded the crowd why they’re royalty in the Bay Area scene.
The energy in the room by the time Exodus took the stage was volcanic. It was a full-circle moment for fans who remember the Bonded by Baloff: A Decade of Remembrance show back on February 4th, 2012 at the Oakland Metro, a powerful tribute to Paul Baloff. That memory loomed large throughout the night, as Exodus stormed through Bonded by Blood in its entirety raw, furious, and flawless. Rob Dukes’ vocals hit like a freight train.
Holt was untouchable, shredding with the precision and fury only decades of blood, sweat, and riffs can produce. Gary Holt was in full command, wielding his guitar like a weapon of mass destruction, carving through every riff and solo with fire and precision. It was more than just a concert, it was a homecoming, a celebration of survival, and a tribute to one of thrash metal’s most important legacies. As bodies surfed overhead and horns were raised sky-high, it became clear: this was a night for the ages. Forty years in the making, and it delivered everything a fan could dream of. From the UC Theater back to Ruthie’s Inn, from Baloff’s spirit to the pounding present, this was Exodus at their most powerful.
Special guests elevated the night to historic levels—Rick Hunolt reunited with Gary Holt to reform the unstoppable “H team,” and Jeff Andrews joined for an emotional, powerful appearance. Bay Area thrash royalty filled the venue, with Phil Demmel, Alex Skolnick, Craig Locicero, and even original Death Angel guitarist Gus Pepa spotted in the crowd. It was more than a concert—it was a family reunion, a spiritual gathering for the thrash faithful. After 40 years, Exodus proved they still reign, and on that night, I was lucky to be part of the chaos.
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Christopher Crone
Categories: Death Angel, Exodus, News
Capital Chaos TV 
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