Over the weekend, it was revealed that Exodus vocalist Rob Dukes was ousted from the legendary thrash band. Steve 'Zetro' Souza will now begin his third stint as Exodus' leading man. In response to his exit, Dukes has released an official statement describing his current frame of mind and future plans.

Rob Dukes made his debut on Exodus' 2005 full-length, 'Shovel Headed Kill Machine.' The vocalist appeared on the two modern thrash essentials 'The Atrocity Exhibition… Exhibit A' in 2007 and 'Exhibit B: The Human Condition' in 2010. You can also hear Dukes on the 2008 'Let There Be Blood' re-recording of 'Bonded by Blood' and the live record 'Shovel Headed Tour Machine: Live at Wacken & Other Assorted Atrocities.'

Dukes carved a fine path along with Exodus, and the singer wrote about his nine years with Exodus via a statement issued to Blabbermouth:

I'm grateful for the last nine years.

I've had the experience of touring the world playing music.

I was just a regular guy, a fan, and I got the chance to front a legendary band while [having had] no prior experience of being a singer. I had no idea what I was doing and made it up as I was going along.

I had the experience of making records.

It was a great chapter of my life.

I'm bummed it ended with [Exodus], but I have another band, Generation Kill. So I will concentrate on that right now and continue to build hotrods and build a car to race in the Baja 1000.

I will be riding my motorcycle all over this beautiful country every chance I get. That's the next chapter of my life.

Exodus / Slayer guitarist Gary Holt already commented on Dukes' departure, but in another statement, Holt shares, "I have had the honor of watching Rob go from unknown guitar tech to awesome singer and frontman and could not be prouder, and his future is bright as f---, that's for sure. It doesn't end here. The world will see plenty more from Rob, this much I will bank on… Rob's contributions are some of the best stuff this band has ever did, a big part of this band's return, and we are grateful."

Stay tuned to Loudwire for updates on both Exodus and Generation Kill.

More From 94.5 KATS