According to Blabbermouth, there have been some rumors that seem to suggest that Megadeth and Lamb Of God will be two of the headliners at the 2020 Mayhem Festival. This news comes after the festival announced its return last December after previously shutting down in 2015. Official announcements regarding dates and artists for this year’s event are still pending.
Lamb Of God have posted a teaser for their new album. The effort will be released in 2020 and it will be their first since drummer Art Cruz joined the band as a replacement for Chris Adler.
Lamb Of God have launched a Propeller campaign in an effort to raise money for Libby’s Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation. Those that donate will have a chance to win Randy Blythe’s gold record plaque for “Sacrament” and handwritten lyrics for “Again We Rise.” You can also purchase handwritten lyrics to a song of your choice, a signed Mark Morton signature guitar, and an 18″ Meinl China signed by Art Cruz as part of the campaign.
As previously reported, Chris Adler recently broke his silence about his exit from Lamb Of God with a new statement, which you can read HERE. Now, during an interview with Elliot In The Morning, the drummer discussed the situation further and opened up about his current relationship with his former bandmates.
When asked if things have been “weird” between him and his brother, guitarist Willie Adler, Chris replied with “yes.” He also added:
“[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.”
He continued after being asked if things are “friendly” between him and Willie:
“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.”
Chris also had the following to say about the other members of the band:
“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.”
He also went on to explain his “unwilling to paint by numbers” comment, when asked if it was related to creative limitations within the band:
“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.”
Furthermore, Chris also confirmed that he will continue playing drums:
“No, I’m definitely not stopping. I absolutely love playing the drums. I do two things well, and one of them is drums. So I’m sticking with it, for sure. And I look forward to any kind of other opportunities that may arise in doing it; I just don’t need to spend six months a year playing the same places I have for the past 20 years.”
[via Blabbermouth]
Back in July, Lamb Of God parted ways with Chris Adler and officially welcomed Art Cruz (Winds Of Plague) to the band as their permanent drummer. Now, Adler has addressed the situation himself, saying he “did not make the decision to leave [his] life’s work.”
Here’s Adler’s full statement:
“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!
ChrisPS: 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.”
Adler is currently focusing on Kintsugi Management, his artwork, etc. He has also been touring as part of the “Hail! Rockstar Extravaganza” and is planning to do some drum and music business clinics in India.
As previously reported, Metallica’s James Hetfield recently re-entered a treatment program to get help with addiction issues. A number of people have since offered the frontman their support, including Lamb Of God singer Randy Blythe, who said Hetfield previously “helped save [his] life” in his battle with alcoholism.
Blythe said the following:
“I got sober while we were on tour with Metallica almost 9 years ago. The first day of that run, one of my crew guys came to me and said “Hey, Hetfield’s looking for you”- we had been touring with them in the States & Europe for over a year and I was just RAGING, especially in Europe, but inside I was MISERABLE.
He knew I had been trying to quit drinking, it wasn’t working for me anymore, & it all came to an end in Australia. A HUGE FACTOR in my willingness & ability to get sober while on fucking heavy metal tour was the fact that I had James & some of his crew who were also sober to talk to- I didn’t have to do it alone.
James & crew babied me through my first month of sobriety out there on the road- it was a heavy trip. I couldn’t have done it without them. When I saw the news about James today, I hurt so bad inside for him, because he was there for me when I was in such bad shape- I know how dark it can get.
But it was also a very strong reminder for me of what I am, & what waits for me if I fuck up & forget I am alcoholic. If you’re an alcoholic, NO ONE IS IMMUNE, no matter how long you have been sober. James is in the right place right now, though, & as he has gone there of his own volition, it sounds like to me he wants sobriety back- and that is the key to it all, you have to want it.
So my thoughts & prayers are with him- I love that dude. He literally helped SAVE MY LIFE.”
Blythe’s comments were made in response to Hatebreed vocalist Jamey Jasta’s recent Instagram post, in which he said that Hetfield inspired him to get sober.
Lamb Of God’s 2006 album “Sacrament” has officially been certified gold by the RIAA. The band was presented with the honor to signify 500,000 units sold. This includes traditional sales as well as equivalent album units from downloads (10 tracks equal one unit) and on-demand audio and/or video streams (1,500 streams equal one unit).
