Steve "Zetro" Souza (born March 24, 1964) is an American musician, best known for his work as lead vocalist with thrash metal band Exodus from 1986 to 1994, and again from 2002 to 2004. He rejoined Exodus for a third time in 2014. Souza is one of two singers, along with Chuck Billy, for the band Dublin Death Patrol.[1] He also sings for the thrash metal band Tenet and was the lead singer for the thrash metal band Legacy (later known as Testament).[2] In 2011, Souza announced his new project, Hatriot. He stepped down as the frontman of the band in 2015, leaving the role of lead vocals to his son, Cody.
Biography
Legacy/Testament
Before singing for Exodus, he was the lead singer for the band Legacy (which became Testament after his departure), recording and writing most of The Legacy demo. At the time of his departure from Legacy, he introduced Chuck Billy to Legacy members and joined Exodus.
Exodus
Souza is best known for his stints in Exodus, for whom he sang between 1986 and 1994 (when they broke up) after being brought in to replace Paul Baloff. Exodus was disbanded about two years after the release of Force of Habit. He later rejoined the reformed Exodus from 2002 to 2004. He again parted ways with the band during their South American tour later in 2004; according to Holt, Zetro bailed from the tour just as the tour was about to start.[3] This caused the split to be fairly hostile;[3] in retrospect, Zetro has admitted the blame for the circumstances, saying that it was his discontent at the time that caused the problems.[4][5]
Thrash Against Cancer
Souza hosted the Thrash Against Cancer benefit in 2005 at The Pound in San Francisco, and appears onstage with Testament every time they play the Bay Area.[6]
Souza, along with fellow members Kosta Varvatakis, Justin Sakagawa, and his two sons Nicholas Souza and Cody Souza, started a thrash metal project called Hatriot. Hatriot released their debut album, Heroes of Origin, on January 25, 2013. The group's second album, Dawn of the New Centurion, was released on February 21, 2014 via Massacre Records. Steve eventually left Hatriot due to Exodus touring duties in 2015 and was succeeded by his son Cody.[7]
Return to Exodus
On June 8, 2014, it was announced that Souza had rejoined Exodus.[8] He appeared on Exodus' tenth studio album Blood In, Blood Out, which is his first album with the band since 2004's Tempo of the Damned.[9]
Style
Souza's voice is reminiscent of AC/DC's former vocalist Bon Scott, and can be heard on the AC/DC covers that Exodus recorded, including "Overdose" on 1989's Fabulous Disaster, and "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" on 2004's Tempo of the Damned. On November 1st 2024 Exodus' cover of AC/DC's "Beating Around the Bush" was released.
Personal life
Souza is second generation Portuguese-American. His grandparents were originally from the Azores Islands in Portugal before settling in California in the early 20th century. [10]
His nickname "Zetro" comes from a cartoon whale he saw in high school.[11]
In a July 2018 interview, Souza called himself a supporter of President Donald Trump, as he cites the low unemployment rate and the meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un being beneficial to the country. Regarding Kim, Zetro mentioned: "I think that's great – that's what you need to do. People need to touch together, not do it through channels".[12]
Discography
With Testament
Legacy Demo (1985)
The Legacy (1987) (credited for writing six out of nine of the songs, but did not perform)
First Strike Still Deadly (2001) (provides vocals for re-recordings of "Alone in the Dark" and "Reign of Terror")
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