Gary Holt of Exodus clarifies band’s intent behind ‘3111’ video amid criticism

The first single from Exodus‘ new “Goliath” album, titled “3111,” was released, but when it came time to create a video for it, they encountered some YouTube problems, as per Loudwire. The band had to find an other way to promote their song and video when it was flagged due to its violent content. Exodus guitarist Gary Holt discussed his main grievance with the choice and the response it generated inside the group in an interview with Full Metal Jackie on her weekend radio program. While Lee Altus took the lead in the music, Holt claims that he and Rob Dukes worked on the lyrical concept related to the narco deaths in Juarez. However, YouTube flagged the video because of its violent content.

Holt claims that in order to gain a deeper comprehension of the issue, he viewed YouTube videos while conducting his research. However, there was a problem with some of the violent content he saw on YouTube on the same platform where he had conducted his investigation.

Most of this stuff came from YouTube, which are parent companies and it’s okay to host these photos and stuff on your websites, but not with us on your same website. That makes no sense, YouTube flagged it and they flagged it again and flagged it to the point that in the final warning they threatened to take away our channel entirely. Like ‘We’ll delete you.’ We don’t want that. So we did an edited version.

The guitarist claims they produced another video with “really, really, truly horrific photos and stuff” and then made an other website to broadcast the footage without YouTube’s meddling because they wanted to express their original vision but were turned down. Holt discusses “3111,” but he also sheds light on “Goliath'”s inner workings. He explains why “The Changing Me” may be his favorite song from the new album.

And at the beginning of the year, he talks about the incredible talent they share the stage with almost nonstop. Gary also provides us with an update on the status of the concurrently recorded follow-up to “Goliath”.

EU/UK Tour  w/ Kreator, Carcass, Nails

• 24.03.26 FR – Paris / Zenith Paris
• 25.03.26 BE – Brussels / Ancienne Belgique
• 27.03.26 UK – London / O2 Academy Brixton
• 28.03.26 UK – Manchester / O2 Apollo Manchester
• 29.03.26 UK – Glasgow / O2 Academy Glasgow
• 31.03.26 LU – Esch-sur-Alzette / Rockhal
• 01.04.26 CH – Zurich / Halle 622
• 03.04.26 NL – ’s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) / Brabanthallen
• 04.04.26 DE – Essen / Grugahalle
• 05.04.26 DE – Frankfurt / Jahrhunderthalle
• 07.04.26 IT – Milan / Alcatraz
• 08.04.26 SI – Ljubljana / Media Center
• 09.04.26 AT – Vienna / Gasometer
• 10.04.26 DE – Ludwigsburg / MHP Arena
• 11.04.26 DE – Munich / Zenith
• 12.04.26 CZ – Prague / Forum Karlín
• 13.04.26 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra
• 15.04.26 PL – Warsaw / COS Torwar
• 17.04.26 DE – Hamburg / Inselparkhalle
• 18.04.26 DE – Berlin / Uber Eats Music Hall
• 20.04.26 LV – Riga / Palladium
• 21.04.26 FI – Helsinki / Black Box Finland OY
• 23.04.26 SE – Stockholm / Annexet
• 24.04.26 NO – Oslo / Sentrum Scene
• 25.04.26 DK – Copenhagen / Poolen

USA Tour w/Sepultura

• 04/29/26: Montclair, NJ @ The Wellmont
• 05/01/26: Montreal, QC @ MTELUS
• 05/02/26: London, ON @ London Music Hall
• 05/04/26: Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Theater
• 05/05/26: Louisville, KY @ Old Forester’s Paristown Hall
• 05/06/26: Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl
• 05/07/26: Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Heaven)
• 05/08/26: New Orleans, LA @ The Civic Theatre
• 05/11/26: Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Farm
• 05/12/26: Greensboro, NC @ Piedmont Hall
• 05/13/26: Reading, PA @ Reverb
• 05/15/26: Chicago, IL @ Ramova Theater
• 05/17/26: Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
• 05/19/26: Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom
• 05/21/26: Denver, CO @ The Ogden Theatre
• 05/22/26: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
• 05/23/26: Boise, ID @ Shrine Social Club
• 05/25/26: Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues
• 05/26/26: San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park
• 05/28/26: Berkeley, CA @ UC Theatre
• 05/29/26: Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern

Exodus is:

Tom Hunting – drums 

Gary Holt – guitars

Jack Gibson – bass, backing vocals 

Lee Altus – guitars

Rob Dukes – lead vocals