LAMB OF GOD Drummer: 'We Are Shattering Doors That Should Have Been Opened Long Ago'

LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler has commented on the the success of the band's new album, "Wrath", which sold around 68,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 2 (behind TAYLOR SWIFT's "Fearless") on The Billboard 200 chart.

LAMB OF GOD's previous album, "Sacrament", sold around 63,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release back in August 2006 to land at No. 8. This represented almost double the amount of records sold by its predecessor, "Ashes of the Wake", which registered a first-week tally of 35,000 in September 2004.

"Tonight we are in Jakarta, Indonesia. Tomorrow is the last show of the first leg of the 'Wrath' tour.

"I can't express in words how things have changed for us in the past six weeks. 'Wrath' has debuted at #2. We are literally astonished. With the economy brittle and an abundance of copycat artists, we were able to shock the music world and pull off what no one else has done.

"To get a better understanding, the record industry has declined 30% since our last album, 'Sacrament', debuted in August 2006, yet we prevailed and outsold that record....with a new record that is brutal slap to the face of all popular music. I could not be more proud of the band for making the record we wanted, but more importantly you, the friends and family of this band, are the ones that made it a reality. The credit is yours. The revolution is ours. This is a triumph not only for us, but for metal.

"I look at it as objectively as possible — this is not about us in LAMB OF GOD, this is the tide turning against the sing-song, look-alike pretty-boy industry. It's unreal to be a part of, and at the moment leading, the charge in this important direction. I rejoice in the dent we have created in the establishment, but it never could have happened without you. I mean that. This is the time for us all to raise a glass to each other and understand that together we are dictating the future of real music. I can't tell you how amazing that is to me. I now look forward to the future of music and the evolution of metal.

"Nu metal is officially dead, and we can all hopefully begin look forward to cute teenage girls no longer being exploited with jingles written in back rooms by old men with music formulas. Together we've shocked the world, and we are proud and honored to have your support. This is your victory as much as it is ours. We are lucky you have our back!

"We did not do this in a void. Many bands before us, that came before their time, have influenced us and helped us create who we are. There are too many to list, but I can tell you that we are children of the '80s metal/punk scene. We are the kids that skipped first period to smoke cigarettes and listen to our cassette Walkmans, just like you. We are the outcasts, the ones with 'limited potential' and 'no future.'

"Follow your dreams and do what is in your heart. There is no better advice I can give.

"To all that tried to stop us as individuals and as a band, I say unto thee, thank you. You have made it all so much sweeter.

“If you are reading this, you get it. We've never schemed to do anything other than have fun and be the best we can be. Love us or hate us, you have to admit that we are shattering doors that should have been opened long ago.

"All hail metal."

"Wrath" was released in North America on February 24 via Epic. The CD was issued in other territories through Roadrunner Records.

"Wrath" was produced by Josh Wilbur and was recorded in studios in New York, Virginia, and New Hampshire.

Roadrunner Records has uploaded a nine-minute video clip (see below) featuring footage of guitarist Mark Morton and vocalist Randy Blythe of LAMB OF GOD discussing all the songs on "Wrath".

The "Wrath" album was released in four configurations: an LP, a CD, a deluxe-edition CD with bonus disc — which contains isolated recording parts — as well as a super-deluxe version featuring a limited-edition box containing an LP, deluxe-edition CD and USB drive containing two exclusive bonus tracks.

The LAMB OF GOD North American "Wrath" tour kicks off April 2 in Phoenix, Arizona with AS I LAY DYING, CHILDREN OF BODOM, GOD FORBID, and MUNICIPAL WASTE supporting.