LAMB OF GOD Drummer Talks Technique, Upcoming Album

Jay Nanda of the San Antonio Metal Music Examiner recently conducted an interview with drummer Chris Adler of Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

San Antonio Metal Music Examiner: How important is it for young drummers to practice with a metronome, and do you have any advice for young drummers trying to develop endurance, particularly when using a double kick pedal?

Chris: Well, that's an interesting question because of my experience. I didn't really start playing with a metronome until the end of 2002, and I started playing drums in and around 1994. So a good six, seven years of playing, recording and touring where I never used a metronome. That process of not using it and training and really focusing on time led to me nearly quitting the band. I felt like I was losing pace with myself and the band every time I was playing these songs. While initially I thought it was really intimidating and I thought that only the pros do that, it's become like an assistant and helps me do my job.

San Antonio Metal Music Examiner: What are the advantages and disadvantages to being in a band with your brother (guitarist Willie Adler)?

Chris: (Laughs) Well, I guess the biggest advantage is it would take a unanimous vote to kick me out of the band — and I'd have to kick his butt (if he did)! But no, we didn't realize it at the time, but after so many hurdles the band has seen, we certainly celebrate the idea that we're blood and that we're doing this together. And we really do connect musically because we grew up together listening to the same thing. We have a strong business relationship, and certainly the personal relationship is as well.

San Antonio Metal Music Examiner: What's the most challenging part of drumming for you?

Chris: Challenging part — I think obviously I'm very fortunate and blessed to have some natural talent. I told my mother that Willie is the most talented guy I know. I have a little talent, but I'm very motivated. Willie is talented beyond any measure. He'd be sitting in his house playing guitar with or without me. For me, it's keeping that motivation in check and trying to find that potential because I really don't know what it is yet. There are kids coming up today and learning how to play things I didn't know how to play after 15 years of playing.

San Antonio Metal Music Examiner: What's the latest on the next album?

Chris: We got together and listened to a couple songs [Mark Morton, guitar] put together, a couple that Willie put together. We mapped out structures and so forth. As soon as the clinic tour is done (March 16),we head into rehearsal, and we'll rip 'em apart and glue them onto the other ideas and try to come out with something better than "Wrath". The last time we left the studio after "Wrath", we were all really happy. Normally, someone's complaining about something. So it's going to be fun trying (to top that). The stuff that I heard, I don't know if I can . . . it's not that I don't want to tell you. But from my listening to it, it's a little, guitar-wise, just a little less, hmmm . . . I don't know how to describe it. It's a little sounding like motorcycle gang music where it's mean and loud and heavier. But who's to say what's going to come out? That's from my perspective.

Read the entire interview from San Antonio Metal Music Examiner.