Exodus Salute Fallen Icons on New Song ‘The Years of Death and Dying’

Persona Non Grata, the first new album from Bay Area thrash legends Exodus in seven years, is less than a month away and the group has just debuted "The Years of Death and Dying," the third single which salutes several deceased rock and metal icons.

"'The Years of Death and Dying' started out as a poem, from the perspective of Death being a thinking entity, always watching and looking for weakness and opportunity to come calling for people — a grim reaper story," said drummer Tom Hunting of the song's origins.

"We were losing legends: Bowie, Cash, Petty, Prince, Frey…the list goes on and on," he continued, "Then we started losing family members and friends in our own orbit. Anyway, the title came first, then the poem, which became a song. I shared the lyrics with Gary, who helped inspire me with phrasing to finish it, and the guys loved it. The song is really long, and more legends kept passing right up into the moments Zet was singing it, so I had to keep writing until I had enough to complete the song. We hope you enjoy our tribute to the fallen!"

For Exodus, this song sounds particularly fresh, namely the melodic chorus that still retains Steve 'Zetro' Souza's signature snarling grit, but presents it all unlike before. The stomping, hook-laden mosh groove that opens "The Years of Death and Dying" is pleasantly familiar, however, and the bass-driven dropout section sounds playfully mean.

In addition to the names mentioned above, Exodus makes references to late Power Trip singer Riley Gale, Eddie Van Halen, Slayer's Jeff Hanemann, Rush's Neil Peart, UFO's Pete Way and more.

Listen to the new song, which follows "The Beatings Will Continue (Until Morale Improves)" and "Clickbait," at the bottom of the page.

Persona Non Grata drops Nov. 19 on Nuclear Blast and pre-orders can be placed here.

Exodus, "The Years of Death and Dying" Lyrics

I am the years of death and dying
I tear with gripping teeth
I prey upon all the weary
Eliminate the weak
Not a day in your life passes
When you won’t think of me
No thought and prayers can save you
So get up off of your knees
When I sense a weakness
I move in with blazing speed
Mothers, brothers, fathers and sons
It matters not to me

I’m a force of nature pure and sure
I’ve killed through all of time
When a "Gale" force wind blows through you
You’ll know that you are mine
I am legend, I’m your end
You’ll wither when I’m near
I’m the years of death and dying
The sum of all your fears

You may have had a brush with me
Escaped and saved yourself
Most likely I was occupied
With killing someone else
Legends fall when I come to call
As I plan my next attack
"Petty" things won’t matter
Just ask "the Man in Black"
The "Rage" is gone and so is "Bon"
So young in their demise
I ended the "Eruption"
I took them in their prime

I’m a force of nature pure and sure
I’ve killed through all of time
When a "Gale" force wind blows through you
You’ll know that you are mine
I am legend, I’m your end
You’ll wither when I’m near
I’m the years of death and dying
The sum of all your fears

I cull the herd with no remorse
Taking souls along the "Way"
I’m here to set the balance
Of all you have to pay
I turned "Ziggy" into "Stardust"
I’ve been killing ever since
I took an "Eagle" from the sky
I even killed a "Prince"
Struck down the "Queen"
Bid "Farewell to Kings"
I took the "Angel of Death"
I’m always at the ready
To take away your breath

I’m a force of nature pure and sure
I’ve killed through all of time
When a "Gale" force wind blows through you
You’ll know that you are mine
I am legend, I’m your end
You’ll wither when I’m near
I’m the years of death and dying
The sum of all your fears

Exodus, "The Years of Death and Dying"