Former Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler has shed light on an unspoken policy within Megadeth regarding band members’ involvement in side projects. He shared insights from his experience in the band during a recent interview with Metal Master Kingdom.
Adler’s comments came in response to a question about the current bass lineup of his band Firstborne. He specifically addressed the status of James LoMenzo’s involvement.
Adler explained the situation when asked about who is currently playing bass for Firstborne after James LoMenzo’s initial participation. “Myron did play the bass on the album and it was great having James,” he said. “The invitation is still there.”
Adler then revealed the underlying dynamic that affected LoMenzo’s continued participation in the project.
“James never sent in a resignation of any kind whatsoever,” Adler continued. “But James and I have something in common that is that we spend some time in Megadeth. And one of the I guess we’ll call it interesting aspects about being in Megadeth is that it’s not particularly celebrated to be in other projects, which is maybe the reason I’m not in Megadeth now, right?”
The drummer further elaborated on how this unspoken rule affected the situation with LoMenzo.
“James never came to us and said, ‘Hey, I can’t do it anymore,'” Adler explained. “It was just like I said, ‘I know where you’re at. I know what’s going on there.’ And you know, we’ll see you on the other side. So, I think in the future, you’ll probably, if we ever do shows or whatever, you’ll probably see James pop up again.”
Adler’s revelations provide context to his own complicated history with both Megadeth and his former band Lamb of God. They highlight the challenges musicians face when balancing multiple commitments.
Mega-Depth reported that Adler joined Megadeth to bring fresh energy and technical skill to their studio work. He ultimately did not stay long due to creative differences and the band’s strict environment toward side projects. His tenure with the thrash metal legends was marked by tensions over his continued involvement with other musical endeavors.
The drummer’s departure from Lamb of God was similarly complicated by external pressures and personal challenges. Vice noted that Adler’s exit from his longtime band was influenced by tensions related to commitments with other bands and his personal struggles. These included dealing with musician’s dystonia and personal losses during that period.
Despite his technical prowess and contributions to metal drumming, Adler has been open about his insecurities as a musician. Ultimate Guitar revealed that the drummer has stated that he is entirely self-taught and has always been very insecure about his playing. This adds another layer to the pressures he faced while navigating multiple band commitments.
These insights reveal the complex dynamics within major metal bands. Loyalty and exclusivity often take precedence over individual artistic pursuits. Adler’s experience illustrates how unspoken policies can significantly impact musicians’ careers and creative freedom, particularly when dealing with high-profile acts like Megadeth.
