THE BEAST

“It was as big of a shock to me as it was to the fans.”

Renowned drummer Chris Adler has broken his silence in a deeply personal and emotional interview, revealing the true weight of his departure from Lamb of God , the band he co-founded and helped drive to international acclaim. Speaking candidly with Blabbermouth.net , Adler details the cocktail of personal loss, health issues, and inner-band tensions that ultimately led to what he calls a “death sentence” to his identity.

A Departure That Shook the Metal World

In July 2019, Lamb of God officially announced that Adler was no longer a member. For fans, it was an unexpected blow. Adler was more than just the drummer—he was a co-architect of the band's sound, spirit, and ethos. The news landed like a bombshell, but for Adler, the moment was just as devastating.

“It was, ‘I don’t know how to make this work.’ I wasn’t given much of a choice. It was one of those emails: ‘Services no longer required.’”

Behind the scenes, Adler was already grappling with profound personal challenges. He had recently lost his mother, was going through a harrowing divorce, and was suffering from a debilitating neurological condition known as musician's dystonia —a task-specific movement disorder that disrupts motor control during performance.

A Medical Crisis Hidden Behind the Kit

The onset of Adler's dystonia began subtly around 2003 with minor issues in his right foot. But by 2016, while touring with both Lamb of God and Megadeth , his condition had progressed to the point of affecting performances.

“It got worse and worse. I took the medical work to the band… Nobody wanted to work around it.”

Despite going through therapy, visiting specialists, and even re-training himself to play using his left foot, Adler says the band wasn’t interested in adjusting to accommodate his limitations. This rejection added another layer of heartbreak to his already tumultuous situation.

The MEGADETH Effect and Band Tensions

Adler’s short-lived but high-profile stint with Megadeth , which included a Grammy win , may have also strained relationships within Lamb of God. While no one explicitly objected to him joining another band, Adler says the vibe changed.

“When Megadeth won a Grammy, that pushed it further. It just snapped.”

Combined with the band’s well-documented internal dysfunction, Adler felt increasingly isolated. The final blow came not with a conversation, but an impersonal email severing his ties to the band he had poured his soul into for over two decades.

Estranged From His Brother, Willie Adler

Perhaps the most painful revelation is the state of Adler’s relationship with his brother and Lamb of God guitarist, Willie Adler .

“We are estranged. Since that email that I got, where he was not even willing to talk to me about it, we haven’t spoken.”

Chris makes it clear that while he harbors no hatred, the silence has been deafening. Despite their familial bond, the fallout from the firing fractured their relationship beyond repair—for now.

Finding Peace and Moving Forward

After years of soul-searching, healing, and re-learning, Adler is ready to embrace a new chapter with his band Firstborne , featuring guitarist Myrone and vocalist Girish Pradhan (Girish and the Chronicles, The End Machine). Their debut full-length album, Lucky , drops July 18 via M-Theory Audio .

“I’m grateful and happy for where I am. My home life is awesome… I’m feeling a lot less pressure.”

When asked if he would ever return to Lamb of God, Adler was philosophical but resolute:

“Would I step in to do it again? Oh, man. I don’t know that I would… I’ll take the memories and the plaques and Grammys… and we’ll let it rest.”

Still Active in the Metal Scene

Chris Adler may have left Lamb of God behind, but he's far from done making waves in the metal world. You can hear his signature drumming on the new single “Anew” by Tonic Breed , which features Adler in full force. The track premiered via MetalSucks and is available now.
👉 Listen to “Anew” featuring Chris Adler here

Chris Adler’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and a deep love for music that won’t fade. As he continues to carve out his post-Lamb legacy, fans can expect new music, new perspectives—and the same fierce dedication to his craft.

Firstborne’s debut LP Lucky arrives July 18 on M-Theory Audio.
For fans of modern metal with progressive flair, it’s a bold new step from a seasoned legend.