Exhorder
New Orleans groove-thrash progenitors with four studio albums.
Exhorder is a heavy metal band from New Orleans, Louisiana, that got going in 1985. They're often credited as early architects of the groove-thrash style that later blew up with acts like Pantera and Machine Head, and their work left a real mark on the New Orleans metal scene. The current lineup includes vocalist and rhythm guitarist Kyle Thomas, bassist Jason VieBrooks, lead guitarist Pat O'Brien, and touring drummer Corey Pierce.
The band put out a few thrash-heavy demos before dropping their first album, *Slaughter in the Vatican*, in 1990. Their second record, *The Law*, came out in 1992 and leaned more into groove metal. They called it quits in 1994.
Exhorder got back together in May 2008 and started working on new tunes. Their first reunion show happened in November 2009 at Southport Hall in Jefferson, Louisiana, with more gigs following in Houma and New Orleans. Seth Davis, a drummer from Houma, joined in early 2010 after meeting Thomas while they were both session players in the French Quarter, and he toured with the band through late 2011. Bassist Frankie Sparcello died on March 22, 2011, from unknown causes. To cover three booked shows, the band brought in local bassist Jorge Caicedo. They played Maryland Deathfest on May 28, 2011, then went on hiatus.
In November 2017, Exhorder ended that six-year break with a new lineup and signed with Housecore Records. They played two nights in Brooklyn in February 2018, performing *Slaughter in the Vatican* and *The Law* in full, and did a homecoming show in New Orleans. They signed to Nuclear Blast in November 2018 and started work on a new album. Their third record, *Mourn the Southern Skies*, came out on September 20, 2019, with the single "My Time" streaming ahead of the release. They supported Overkill on the Wings of War tour in North America and again in spring and summer 2023. Founding guitarist Vinnie LaBella left in February 2020, leaving Thomas as the sole original member. The band continued as a four-piece, with Thomas handling rhythm guitar. Guitarist Marzi Montazeri quit on February 14, 2022, and Pat O'Brien took over. Their fourth album, *Defectum Omnium*, dropped on March 8, 2024. In November 2025, Thomas said they were working on a fifth album, aiming for a 2027 release.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
- Genre
- Thrash metal / groove metal
- Years Active
- 1986–1994 / 2008–2011 / 2017–present
- Label
- Roadrunner / Nuclear Blast
- Current Members
- Kyle Thomas / Jason VieBrooks / Pat O'Brien
- Past Members
- Vinnie LaBella / David Main / Andy Villafarra / Chris Nail / Jay Ceravolo / Frankie Sparcello / Seth Davis / Marzi Montazeri / Sasha Horn
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Exhorder was formed in 1985 in New Orleans, Louisiana. After releasing several demos in the vein of pure thrash metal, they continued this sound with their debut studio album, Slaughter in the Vatican, released in 1990. They adapted more of a groove metal-oriented sound by their second album, The Law, released in 1992. The band broke up in 1994.
The band reunited in May 2008 and played reunion shows in 2009 and 2010. After the death of bassist Frankie Sparcello in March 2011, the band fulfilled three booked shows and then took a hiatus. In November 2017, Exhorder ended their six-year hiatus with a newly formed line-up, signed with Housecore Records, and later signed to Nuclear Blast in November 2018. They released their third album, Mourn the Southern Skies, in 2019.
Reader's Guide
Exhorder's significance lies in their role as progenitors of the groove-oriented thrash sound that later defined bands like Pantera and Machine Head. Their music is considered an important influence on the New Orleans metal scene. Despite controversy and comparisons to Pantera—some fans dubbing them 'Pantera minus the good songs'—AllMusic countered that a more accurate billing would be 'Pantera without the major label backing.' Vocalist Kyle Thomas expressed indifference to the criticism and noted that he and some members of Pantera were friends. The band's debut album, Slaughter in the Vatican, and its unsubtle cover art were seen as hindrances to their commercial success. Exhorder's legacy is that of a foundational but often overlooked band in the development of groove metal, with a dedicated following and a discography spanning four studio albums over three decades.
Did You Know?
- Exhorder is considered a progenitor of the groove-oriented thrash sound later made famous by Pantera and Machine Head.
- Founding lead guitarist Vinnie LaBella left the band in February 2020, leaving vocalist Kyle Thomas as the only remaining founding member.
- The band's fourth studio album, Defectum Omnium, was released on March 8, 2024.
- Touring drummer Corey Pierce replaced Sasha Horn in March 2026.
More in American groove metal musical groups 1-24
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