Chris Adler Finally Speaks About Split with Lamb of God
You don’t need me to tell you that Chris Adler splitting with Lamb of God was a big deal. Earlier today, when we posted fan-filmed footage of Adler returning to the stage for the first time since leaving LoG as part of the all-star cover band Hail!, traffic went through the roof. So, clearly, you know his leaving Lamb of God was a big deal. It’s this generation’s version of Dave Lombardo parting ways with Slayer (the first time).
Adler has been surprisingly quiet regarding the split since it was first announced back in July (at which point Adler had already been sitting out shows with the band for over a year, reportedly due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident). But now, at last, he has released a statement addressing the matter:
“I feel it is time to address the many questions being asked about my departure from Lamb Of God.
“Allow me to start with a relative concept of understanding. We all gave our lives to this, 26 years is not flippant. Each one of us sacrificed and lost much on a personal level to live the dream we had when we were kids. I will always love each member of the band for believing in me and agreeing to take on the world. We managed to find some love in the machine, but in turn it took things that cannot be recovered. I did not leave the dream. I did not make the decision to leave my life’s work. The truth is that, I am I unwilling to paint by numbers. I wish my brothers all the best in their continued ventures. I can assure you that you will hear from me again. I was given a gift and hope to continue to share it.
“Many have asked about a motorbike accident I had in Thailand in 2017. It’s true that it was not pretty, but I’ve been well since August of 2018. Thank you for your concerns.
“I support my friends and the dream I allowed them to share in. I loved and am still humbled by every second of the smiles and horns we elicited. There is an ambiguous concept in our world of ‘selling out’. I cannot define that outside of my personal understanding, but know that being trapped in a ‘creative’ formula and/or playing the same song 10,000 times did not bolster my love of playing. I’m never been one to ‘phone it in.’ I’d rather mow the grass.
“I acknowledge and am truly grateful of achieving my childhood dream.
“I have 2 GRAMMYS that sit on my mothers mantle piece. I think she deserves 3 so this party isn’t over.
“I was not given a choice in this and my dream is alive.“Feel free to say hello if you see me mowing the grass. It never gets old.
“I appreciate each and every one of you!“Thank you!
“Chris“PS: I may or may not be in touch with Kyle Thomas and Myrone about an Oakland Raiders concept album. This is neither confirmed or denied. ????”
So that clears up… uh… not a lot. On the one hand, Adler makes it sound like it was his decision to leave Lamb of God based on the fact that “being trapped in a ‘creative’ formula and/or playing the same song 10,000 times did not bolster my love of playing.” On the other hand, he clearly says “I did not make the decision to leave my life’s work” and “I was not given a choice in this,” phrases which make it sound like he was fired. It does seem like either way, though, there was some kind of creative fork in the road.
In addition to drumming with Hail!, Adler is now running Kintsugi Management, who handle Betraying the Martyrs, amongst others. So he’s not leaving the scene anytime soon regardless.
[via Metal Insider]
