[2] Exodus guitarist Kirk Hammett and Baloff met at a North Berkeley house party in 1981 and became fast friends due to their shared admiration for punk rock and the new wave of British heavy metal.

Baloff joined Exodus in 1982 as lead vocalist to complete the lineup, which included Hammett, guitarist Gary Holt, drummer Tom Hunting and bassist Geoff Andrews.

Audio engineering college student Mark Whitaker, who had attended high school with Baloff, oversaw management and record production for the band at the time.

Shortly after touring for Bonded by Blood, Baloff was fired from the band for "personal and musical differences",[3] although he still had writer credits on their next album, Pleasures of the Flesh.

Gary Holt released the following statement about the band's decision to revisit their debut album: "After many years in the planning and discussion stage, we have finally completed the re-recording of 'Bonded By Blood'.

Former and current members included Kirk Hammett, Rick Hunolt, Gary Holt, Geoff Andrews, Lee Altus, Rob Dukes, Tom Hunting and Jack Gibson.