Lamb Of God and founding drummer Chris Adler parted ways in July. Adler hadn't performed with Lamb Of God live since 2018 due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident and was filled in for by now-permanent drummer Art Cruz (Prong, Winds of Plague). Lamb Of God's statement was brief, ultimately thanking Adler "for his contributions over the years" and wishing him "the best in his future endeavors."
Adler recently broke his silence, saying "I’ve been well since August of 2018," that "being trapped in a 'creative' formula and/or playing the same song 10,000 times did not bolster my love of playing," and that "I was not given a choice in this and my dream is alive." Adler recently appeared on DC101’s Elliot in the Morning to discuss his departure from the group, saying it's a little weird now between he and his brother (and Lamb Of God guitarist) Willie Adler.
“[Willie and I have] done it together. I wouldn’t call it a family business, but it’s kind of a cottage industry that we’ve put together, and it’s just unfortunate that we weren’t able to see eye-to-eye on it.”
Adler adds that he and Willie are still friendly, though mentions "there is a level of disrespect that’s somehow tolerated."
“It is. You know, it’s blood. It’s kind of one of those things, and not that this is the case, but with family, there is a level of disrespect that’s somehow tolerated, [where] it wouldn’t be with friends or whatever. And I don’t think there’s any real disrespect going on here in either direction. So, yeah, we’re gonna be fine.”
Unlike Willie, Adler said he's not exactly the best of friends with the rest of the guys.
“We’ve spent 26 years in a bus, a train, a plane. There’s not much left to talk about. We’ve explored our friendships to the fullest.”
Adler does clarify his statement about "being trapped in a 'creative' formula," mentioning that the new Lamb Of God record is probably "gonna be great." Adler said he felt Lamb Of God has "kind of done everything there is to do" and he just didn't feel the need to continue on with the group.
“I didn’t necessarily mean that at all. In fact, everybody in the band is very, very creative people and I’m sure the new music’s gonna be great. They’re pushing the boundaries of the genre, and I have no doubt that it’s gonna be awesome. What I meant was that I had a dream when I was 14 years old, and I’ve been very fortunate to go around the world several times, and we’ve played the arenas, we’ve had the headline slots, we’ve kind of done everything there is to do, and I just don’t really feel the need to continue to do it and miss time from my family.”
[Thanks to Blabbermouth for the above transcriptions.]
