An Interview with Kyle Thomas of Exhorder

By Justin Smulison

Exhorder is a metal band from New Orleans, Louisiana that is often considered a trailblazer of groove metal. Though they began in the 1980s, their first two studio LPs were released in 1990 and 1992 to widespread acclaim. But the band went on what became a 25+ year hiatus and returned in 2019 with Mourn The Southern Skies.

Though it marked a bit of a departure from the relentlessness of the predecessor albums, Mourn satisfied fans. Following some lineup changes, the follow-up, Defectum Omnium, was released in March (again by Nuclear Blast). The album’s 12 songs run the gamut from punk and thrash to doom, groove and extreme metal. At the centre of it all is singer and sole remaining founding member, Kyle Thomas.

Thomas spoke with Jace Media contributor Justin Smulison about the songs on Defectum Omnium, what influences the lyrics, the evolving songwriting approach and how touring has become a Thomas-family affair.

Horns Up!

Clips: Year Of The Goat, Forever and Beyond Despair

Exhorder online:

www.Exhorder.com

https://www.facebook.com/exhorderofficial

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExhorderOfficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhorderofficial/

Exhorder On Tour – US Shows with Vio-Lence

4/05 – Cambridge, MA @ Middle East / Downstairs
4/06 – Brooklyn, NY @ Monarc
4/07 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
4/08 – Baltimore, MD @ The Ottobar
4/10 – Cleveland, OH @ The Wincheste
4/11 – Cincinnati, OH @ Legends Bar & Venue
4/12 – Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary
4/13 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies

Exhorder On Tour – EU Performances

5/10 Oostende, BE | Huggins Awakening Festival

5/11 Durbury, BE | Durbury Rock Festival

5/12 Drachen, NL | Iduna

5/13 Kassel, DE | Goldgrube (w/Nervosa)

5/14 Bremen, DE | Tower (w/Nervosa)
5/15 Hamburg, DE | Logo (w/Nervosa)

5/16 Weinheim, DE | Cafe’ Central (w/Nervosa)

5/17 Trier, DE | Mergener HOF (w/Nervosa)

5/18 Oss, NL | Engel of Deathfest

5/19 Gelsenkirchen, DE | Rock Hard Festival

​5/20 Berlin, DE | Lido (w/Nervosa)

5/21 Prague, CZ

5/22 Salzburg, AT | Rockhouse w/Nervosa

5/23 Munich, DE | Backstage (w/Nervosa)

5/24 Aarau, CH | Kiff (w/Nervosa)

5/25 Lindau, DE | Club Vaudeville (w/Nervosa)