Exhorder is an American heavy metal band formed in 1985 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Known for their unique blend of thrash metal and hardcore punk, they gained recognition for their aggressive sound and complex rhythms. Their debut album, Slaughter in the Vatican, released in 1990, is considered a classic in the genre. The band's lineup has changed over the years, but founding members Kyle Thomas and Sandy Villarreal have remained influential in shaping their music. Exhorder is often credited with paving the way for the sludge metal genre, influencing many bands that followed in the 1990s and beyond.