EXODUS Guitarist Issues Statement Following Baloff's Passing

EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt has issued the following statement following the untimely passing of vocalist Paul Baloff earlier today:

“In My Words..... by Gary Holt

“Words cannot describe the pain I am feeling, was feeling, at the sudden and oh so premature loss of Paul. As I sit here at the waters end of San Francisco Bay, I feel as if someone or something has torn my heart out of my body and smashed it on the rocks. Paul was my brother, my spirit, my soul… and he is gone. I wonder how I will ever recover, ever learn what it is to feel alive without him, and for this question, I have no answers. Paul loved EXODUS, WAS EXODUS, and we loved him for it and in spite of it. His flame burned bright, so bright in fact that in hindsight it was all but impossible to have burned forever. Still, it burns in us and we must never let that flame burn out, lest Paul's legacy and his contribution be forgotten.

“During my impending divorce, my pain has been constant, but so has Paul, in my support from him. When my depression would occasionally reach its apex, Paul was always there. No words necessary, just Paul taking action. A broken stereo receiver and an invite to launch it down the stairs, a double bladed axe and something to cleave in half. Therapy though vandalism I called it! He knew how to bring me back. Yet, I have no way to do the same for him. I love Paul, always have and always will. There was, (is) a bond that even his untimely death cannot break, but right now my spirit is. The flame in me has died, my spirit torn asunder. I will fight through this. Paul was the ultimate fighter, he fought till the end, and to fight with anything less than his tenacity would be to do his memory an incredible injustice. I miss him I love him, and will keep his memory alive. I only ask that all of you to do the same.

“To each and every one of you, from the bottom of my heart I say THANK YOU, EXODUS thanks you, and Paul thanks you.

“Sincerely,
“Gary Holt”