On Saturday night, the House of Blues in Anaheim transformed into a fiery haven for thrash metal maniacs as the 40 Years of Blood tour tore through town, celebrating the past, present, and future of thrash. Headlined by Bay Area legends Exodus, this sold-out show was a thunderous tribute to their groundbreaking debut album, Bonded by Blood, which turned 40 this year. From Gary Holt’s first blistering note, the night was a relentless assault of mosh pits, electrifying riffs, and raw, unfiltered chaos. By the time the dust settled, Anaheim was left in ruins—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
The night kicked off with Nukem, San Diego’s thrash metal wrecking crew, who wasted no time whipping the crowd into a frenzy. Known for their lethal mix of aggression and precision, Nukem ripped through tracks from their album The Unholy Trinity, closing their set with the aptly titled “Nukem All.” Circle pits erupted, crowd surfers launched themselves into the void, and vocalist/guitarist Steve Brogden delivered ferocious vocals that set the perfect tone for the carnage to come. Short but impactful, Nukem left the crowd hungry for more.
Next up was the thrash juggernaut Hirax, hailing from nearby Cypress, CA. Led by the ever-charismatic Katon W. De Pena, these old-school warriors brought the 1980s straight to the stage with crowd favorites like “Black Smoke,” “Drill Into the Brain,” and the blistering “Bombs of Death.” De Pena was a force of nature, diving into the audience not once but twice, all while belting out vocals as fans carried him across a sea of raised fists. The band’s chemistry and ferocity were undeniable, and by the end of their set, the energy in the room was absolutely nuclear.
If anyone could match the momentum Hirax left behind, it was the Bay Area titans Death Angel. Directly supporting Exodus, they delivered a performance that balanced thrash fury with heartfelt gratitude. Frontman Mark Osegueda, who’s been pulling double duty with Kerry King’s new project, was a whirlwind of energy and charisma. Between songs, he connected with the crowd, expressing his deep appreciation for their unwavering support.
Death Angel opened their set with classics “Evil Priest” and “Voracious Souls” from their debut album The Ultra-Violence, igniting the crowd into a frenzy. Guitarists Rob Cavestany and Ted Aguilar unleashed riff after blistering riff, while bassist Damien Sisson and drummer Will Carroll laid down a thunderous rhythm section. They closed with the fan-favorite “Thrown to the Wolves,” leaving both security and fans drenched in sweat and utterly breathless. Death Angel proved once again why they remain one of the most vital forces in thrash today.
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived: Exodus. As the lights dimmed, the thrash metal titans stormed the stage to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Bonded by Blood. The show opened with a recording of late frontman Paul Baloff’s iconic stage banter—a fitting tribute to the band’s original vocalist. From there, Rob Dukes, newly rejoined with the band, led the charge as they launched into “Bonded by Blood,” taking the crowd on a whirlwind tour of the album’s first five tracks.
Gary Holt and Lee Altus were an unstoppable force, shredding their guitars with surgical precision and ferocity. Meanwhile, bassist Jack Gibson and drummer Tom Hunting provided a crushing backend that drove the performance to its peak. The band indulged fans with rarities like “Pleasures of the Flesh” and “Brain Dead,” and the crowd’s energy only intensified as the night progressed. One of my all-time favorites, “Hell’s Breath,” was as ferocious as ever, launching the set into uncharted waters.
A standout moment came when Death Angel’s Mark Osegueda joined the stage for the live debut of a Scorpions cover, “He’s a Woman, She’s a Man.” God damn, that was cool. Beach balls branded with the Exodus logo bounced through the crowd, and a young fan was even pulled onstage to jam alongside Holt in a headbanger’s dream moment. That kid’s life was made, and honestly, so was mine.
To close out the night, Exodus unleashed “Impaler” and their devastating anthem “Strike of the Beast.” The pit reached critical mass, with bodies flying in every direction and fans of all ages screaming along to every word. It was a spectacular end to a night of pure thrash mayhem.
Let me tell you, the 40 Years of Blood tour hit on all cylinders. This wasn’t just a concert—it was a goddamn thrash metal baptism. If this tour rolls through your city, do yourself a favor: get your ass to the show. Best gig I’ve seen in 2025, and it’s not even close.
Horns up, and thrash on!
DEATH ANGEL
HIRAX
NUKEM
