Dave Mustaine clarifies Lamb Of God drummer's independence from Megadeth

July 4, 2016

Dave Mustaine took to social media to declare Chris Adler's independence from Megadeth.

Over the July 4th weekend, the Megadeth band leader worked to clarify remarks he'd made at a July 1 media event in Israel. “Chris Adler is not with Megadeth; he's in Lamb Of God,” Mustaine told a journalist at the press conference setup to promote the band's show in Tel Aviv the following day. “He was a session guy. It was what you could call 'work for hire.' And he has nothing to do with us anymore, and he is with his band.”

In a Facebook post in May, Megadeth said Adler would return to the road with them on June 28, which didn't end up happening. Adler played drums on Megadeth's most recent album, Dystopia and participated in the majority of the band's shows in support of the album, alongside Mustaine, cofounding bassist David Ellefson and Brazilian lead guitarist Kiko Loureiro. Adler also appears in all of the promo photos related to the album as well as the accompanying music videos.

When conflicts arose between Megadeth and Lamb Of God's schedules, Tony Laureano (ex-Dimmu Borgir, Nile, Angelcorpse) filled in for Adler. Laureano has worked as Megadeth's drum tech since 2011. But despite a history of Megadeth drum techs eventually taking over the throne (former drummers Chuck Behler and the late Nick Menza both teched for their predecessors), Megadeth has more recently utilized the services of Soilwork's Dirk Verbeuren.

Speaking to New Jersey's WSOU earlier this year, Mustaine was optimistic about Adler returning for the band's next album. “The drum position is his if he wants it, until we get into a position where we have to make a decision otherwise.”

“I'm very grateful for his contributions,” Mustaine said in Tel Aviv. “I'm grateful for him introducing us to Dirk. We still haven't announced who our new drummer is gonna be. [But] it won't be Chris Adler, because he's in Lamb Of God.”

A few fans Tweeted their confusion about Adler's status with Megadeth in the wake of the Tel Aviv press conference. Mustaine responded (below):

Jesus! Why can't you understand Chris is in LOG. Every interview said he was a session drummer & that he was in LOG. https://t.co/kpfIAoE53w

— Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) July 3, 2016