08/04/2005 16:07

Exodus

Rick Hunolt left Exodus

Legendary thrashers Exodus have lost their guitarist Rick Hunolt.
Here's a message from him: "22 years, wow that's longer than alot of you have been alive. I'm sitting here writing this post and the last 22 years are racing through my head like you wouldn't believe. From the drive to Gary's house the first time I ever played with Exodus in Gary's moms garage, my very first gig at Wolfgangs with Loudness ,all the gigs at Ruthies, The Mab, The Stone, The Kabuki, etc, etc, etc, they just go on and on and on. I feel so fortunate to be a part of something that started out as some guys playing their guitars as fast as we could, to say playing in front of 80,000 people at Dynamo and touring all over the world doing what we loved to do. Words can't describe the emotions I am feeling right now, one minute I am laughing the next I am sobing like a little baby this is by far the most difficult decision I have ever had to make, bar none. But I look over to my right and see my 2 little boys Odin 3, & John 16 months sleeping and I know it is the right one. I just can't see myself being away from them anymore, I just can't. Exodus deserves 110% from me and I just cant give them that anymore my boys need me. Like I said this is the hardest decision I have ever had to make and it is breaking my heart, I am crying so hard right now I can barely see what I am typing. I don't know in words how to show my appreciation to evey one that has supported me in the last 22 years, god, if I had to list them it would reach from S.F. to N.Y. To all of the people that have helped us over the past 2 decades (you know who you are) we seriously couldn't have survived without you. And to the fans that I have cherished with all of my heart, thank you for 22 years of incredible memories and as I always said you were Exodus we were just five guys playing the music that we loved. And to the band, you were my heart and soul for a long time we had some great times and played some great shows, I know you will find a shredder to replace me and I wish him the best of luck, and finally I would like to say to my brother Gary Holt, my partner in crime, my best friend who I love and respect with all of my heart you've put up with my sometimes flakey ways and everything else, you have always been there for me Gary, and you deserve more than I can give right now. We have jumped every hurdle that they could throw at us and we still kept going. We were the H TEAM and no one can take that away from us, we made our mark in history, that I am very proud of. The new material is killer and I hope the new album does well, but it is time to hang up my axe for now my boys need me. MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT, RICK HUNOLT"

(source: the official Exodus messageboard)