Dave Lombardo Goes Grindcore and Joins Empire State Bastard as They Sign with Roadrunner Records

You read that right. Ex-Slayer and current Testament/Mr. Bungle drummer Dave Lombardo has joined Empire State Bastard, a fledgling grindcore metal band that’s the brainchild of Biffy Clyro’s Simon Nell and Mike Vennart. Having already posted teasers of their music late last month, the band recently announced that their first single, “Harvest,” will be out next week.

In addition to the new music, which you can check out in a teaser clip below, the band also announced that Bitch Falcon’s bassist Naomi Macleod will perform with the band for their upcoming debut shows. Oh and they have a record deal with Roadrunner Records.

According to the band, the idea behind Empire State Bastard came about during the lull that happens while traveling between Biffy Clyro gigs. Apparently both Nell and Vennart would sit in the back of the tour bus, showing each other the most insane and avant-garde music possible. Eventually, the name for a band in that vein came up, with the only thing left being to write music that could live up to the name Empire State Bastard. Ten years later and they’ve now got the time, energy, and songs to attack audiences.

The band will be performing a number of sold out U.K. shows later this month, with additional appearances scheduled for summer festival slots like Download, Hellfest, 2000trees, and ArcTanGent.

With the addition of Lombardo at drums, this band went from “this could be cool” to “oh damn, I need to check this out” real fast.