Lamb of God drummer and founding member Chris Adler has departed the band, a new statement reveals.
Back in late 2017, Adler suffered injuries after a motorcycle accident, leaving him unable to perform live with the band for an extended period of time.
“I had a motorcycle accident [in late 2017] that shattered my collarbone and right shoulder and also chipped bones in my hip,” wrote Adler in an Instagram post. “While surgery corrected the broken bones and I was able to play [in early 2018], I experienced some issues related to the injuries that needed to be addressed with a rigorous schedule of physical and occupational therapy which, is what I have been doing regularly since July [2018].”
After a lengthy hiatus from the band, fans started to question whether or not Adler was still a member of the group. Last month, frontman Randy Blythe was evasive about Adler’s future with the band in an interview, saying “It’s hard to say what’s gonna happen with Chris Adler. I have no comment on him.”
Now, according to a statement by the band, he is officially no longer a part of the groove metal band. He has been replaced by former Prong and Winds of Plague drummer Art Cruz, who filled in for Adler on several Lamb of God tours in the aftermath of Adler’s accident.
“We returned last week from a great European festival run and our final tour with Slayer in North America. We are excited to keep the momentum going and dive into the next record,” wrote the band on social media.
“We’d like to officially welcome Art Cruz, who has been playing drums with us on tour for the last year, as the new drummer of Lamb of God. Art will be joining us in the studio as we begin pre-production and recording of a new album.
We’re very proud of everything this band has accomplished over the last two decades. We would like to thank Chris Adler for his contributions over the years and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Adler co-founded Lamb of God in 1994 as Burn the Priest. In addition to Lamb of God, Adler has played drums for the likes of Megadeth and Protest the Hero. Adler has not yet made comment about his departure from the band.
