A Fabulous Disaster: From the Garage to Madison Square Garden, the Hard Way
Gary Holt
Apr 2025 · Hachette Audio
headphones
Audiobook
family_home
Eligible
info
infoThis book will become available on April 1, 2025. You will not be charged until it is released.
About this audiobook
Prolific guitarist and Exodus songwriter Gary Holt presents an entertaining, personal memoir detailing his "destruction-laden" life and the origins of the Thrash Metal scene from the Bay Area to its world dominance.
Since exploding out of the Bay Area heavy metal scene in the 1980s, thrash metal has made its way to every corner of the globe, conquering worldwide charts year after year. As the guitarist and primary songwriter of Exodus, and an originator of the subgenre and one of its fiercest proponents, Gary Holt watched as his peers—Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax—soared to superstardom. As his fellow artists amassed millions of fans and record sales, Exodus's albums received critical recognition and inspired generations of listeners but struggled to reach the same heights of success, as the band was plagued by years of bad management, bad luck, and bad decision-making.
In A FABULOUS DISASTER, Holt shares a deeply personal account of what it was like to "live fast, play fast, and crash hard" as thrash metal dominated the globe. Readers witness his highest of highs and lowest of lows as Holt and his bandmates juggle major label contracts, MTV-sponsored tours and festivals, growing addictions to alcohol and meth, and the departures of original members. In the throes of addiction, Holt's own fall from grace is swift: one year he's playing on the MTV Headbanger's Ball Tour with Anthrax and Helloween, and the next he's struggling to find minimum wage jobs as he battles drugs, divorce, and the impending collapse of his music career. Ultimately, after the tragic death of one of his closest friends and former bandmates—Holt realizes the only one who can save him is himself.
An "unadulterated odyssey through decades of insanity," punctuated by Holt's unique insight and knack for storytelling, A FABULOUS DISASTER is a thrill ride from start to finish. His story proves that redemption—even from the pits of rock 'n' roll excess—is always possible.
Since exploding out of the Bay Area heavy metal scene in the 1980s, thrash metal has made its way to every corner of the globe, conquering worldwide charts year after year. As the guitarist and primary songwriter of Exodus, and an originator of the subgenre and one of its fiercest proponents, Gary Holt watched as his peers—Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax—soared to superstardom. As his fellow artists amassed millions of fans and record sales, Exodus's albums received critical recognition and inspired generations of listeners but struggled to reach the same heights of success, as the band was plagued by years of bad management, bad luck, and bad decision-making.
In A FABULOUS DISASTER, Holt shares a deeply personal account of what it was like to "live fast, play fast, and crash hard" as thrash metal dominated the globe. Readers witness his highest of highs and lowest of lows as Holt and his bandmates juggle major label contracts, MTV-sponsored tours and festivals, growing addictions to alcohol and meth, and the departures of original members. In the throes of addiction, Holt's own fall from grace is swift: one year he's playing on the MTV Headbanger's Ball Tour with Anthrax and Helloween, and the next he's struggling to find minimum wage jobs as he battles drugs, divorce, and the impending collapse of his music career. Ultimately, after the tragic death of one of his closest friends and former bandmates—Holt realizes the only one who can save him is himself.
An "unadulterated odyssey through decades of insanity," punctuated by Holt's unique insight and knack for storytelling, A FABULOUS DISASTER is a thrill ride from start to finish. His story proves that redemption—even from the pits of rock 'n' roll excess—is always possible.
About the author
Gary Holt is the guitarist and main songwriter for the heavy metal band Exodus and was a member of Slayer from 2011 to 2019. He’s based in the Bay Area, California.
Adem Tepedelen is an award-winning journalist covering metal for over thirty years for Decibel, Revolver, Rollingstone.com, and many others. He’s written and cowritten numerous books, including The Brewtal Truth to Extreme Beers and Mud Ride: A Messy Trip Through the Grunge Explosion (with Mudhoney guitarist Steve Turner).
Adem Tepedelen is an award-winning journalist covering metal for over thirty years for Decibel, Revolver, Rollingstone.com, and many others. He’s written and cowritten numerous books, including The Brewtal Truth to Extreme Beers and Mud Ride: A Messy Trip Through the Grunge Explosion (with Mudhoney guitarist Steve Turner).
Listening information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can read books purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
