Chris Adler

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Chris Adler
2015 RiP Lamb of God - Chris Adler by 2eight - 3SC5483.jpg
Adler in 2015
Background information
Born
Christopher James Adler

(1972-11-23) November 23, 1972 (age 52) [1]
Origin Washington, D.C., U.S.
Genres
OccupationMusician
InstrumentDrums
Member ofFirstborne
Formerly of
Website chrisadler.com

Christopher James Adler (born November 23, 1972) is an American musician, best known as a founding member and the longtime drummer of heavy metal band Lamb of God from 1994 to 2019.

Contents

He was also a Grammy Award winning member of Megadeth from 2015 to 2016, appearing on their fifteenth album, Dystopia.

Early life and influences

His influences include former Wrathchild America and former Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin, [2] and Stewart Copeland [3] of The Police. Other influences are John Bonham, Dave Lombardo, Gar Samuelson, Lars Ulrich, Billy Cobham, and Gene Hoglan. [4]

In an interview with DRUM! magazine, Adler describes his first drum kit as a disaster:

"The bass drum legs were different lengths so they wouldn't touch the ground at the same time. Every time I would hit it, it would wobble from left to right. The cymbal stands were duct taped together, and I think after two or three times playing the kit, the pedalboard actually broke in half because it was made of that crappy old fake metal." [5]

Career

In 2014, he contributed several drum tracks to the Testament album Dark Roots of Earth . The same year, he said that he could neither "confirm nor deny" whether he had performed on the Slipknot single "The Negative One". He dismissed this in a later interview. [6]

Adler performing with Lamb of God at Rock am Ring 2015 Lamb Of God - Rock am Ring 2015-9876 (cropped).jpg
Adler performing with Lamb of God at Rock am Ring 2015

On February 12, 2017, Dystopia won the Best Metal Performance award at the 59th Grammy Awards. [7]

Shortly after leaving Lamb of God, Adler was hired at The Home Depot in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia, providing warehouse and management services. [8] [ non-primary source needed ]

In early May 2025, Adler revealed that his dismissal from Lamb of God was partly due to "developing Musician's Dystonia, a neurological condition that causes nerve deterioration in limbs most frequently used by musicians", in Adler's case his right foot. After years of growing tensions within the band, particularly after his time serving as Megadeth's drummer and in tandem with his condition, Lamb of God eventually told Adler "that his services were no longer required" despite being aware of his MD. [9]

Personal life

In February 2019, Adler announced his engagement to his longtime girlfriend. [10] Adler is interested in animal rights and is a vegetarian. [11] [12]

Accolades

Alder won the following Modern Drummer magazine Reader's Poll awards:

In 2012 Alder was nominated for best drummer at that years Revolver Golden Gods Awards, then in 2016 he won drummer of the year at the 2016 Revolver Golden Gods Awards for his work on Dystopia. [15] [16]

He was nominated for 5 Grammys as a member of Lamb of God and finally won one as a member of Megadeth for Best Metal Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. [17]

Equipment

Current tour kit

Current:

Cymbals circa 2016:

Discography

With Calibra
With Cry Havoc
With Jettison Charlie
With EvilDeathInc.
With Burn the Priest
With Grouser
With Lamb of God
Solo
With Testament
With Protest the Hero
With Megadeth
With Thaikkudam Bridge
With Firstborne

References

  1. ↑ "Chris Adler Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic .
  2. ↑ "Lamb of God's Chris Adler Talks Drums (w/ Audio) – in Interviews". Metal Underground.com. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  3. ↑ Linda Friedel (March 16, 2011). "Drum clinic rocks local music store – Wednesday Sun News Story – Kansas City". Kccommunitynews.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  4. ↑ Phil Freeman (February 24, 2012). "Lamb of God's Chris Adler's Five Favorite Drummers". wonderingsound.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  5. ↑ Lentz, Andrew (2009). "Chris Adler: Working Man's Metal". DRUM! Magazine. Archived from the original on September 14, 2010.
  6. ↑ "LAMB OF GOD's CHRIS ADLER: 'I Have No Involvement' In SLIPKNOT's New Album". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. August 14, 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Chris Adler | GRAMMY.com". Archived from the original on February 22, 2017. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Chris Adler Professional LinkeIn". LinkedIn. April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  9. ↑ LOADED RADIO (May 7, 2025). Chris Adler Reveals the REAL Reason He Was Fired From LAMB OF GOD . Retrieved May 14, 2025– via YouTube.
  10. ↑ "Chris Adler on Instagram". Archived from the original on December 24, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Lamb Of God's Chris Adler Is Proud Vegetarian". Metalunderground.com. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler speaks up for animals". Gmanetwork.com. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Modern Drummer's Readers Poll Archive, 1979–2017 | Modern Drummer Magazine |". Modern Drummer Magazine. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Porter and Davies Artists Recognised | MMR Magazine". February 28, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  15. ↑ Blabbermouth (December 14, 2016). "METALLICA, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, SLIPKNOT Among Winners At 'Revolver Music Awards' (Video)". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  16. ↑ Blabbermouth (February 15, 2012). "2012 Edition Of 'Revolver Golden Gods': Complete Details Revealed". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Chris Alder Grammys.com".
  18. 1 2 "Chris Adler". Chris Adler. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  19. ↑ "MEINL cymbals 2008.pdf" (PDF). Retrieved October 1, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  20. ↑ "Drummerworld video showing Adler talk about his pedals and bass drum technique". Pearl Drummers Forum. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  21. ↑ "DRUMHEAD Magazine". Drumheadmag.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Testament: New Album Title Revealed; Tour With Anthrax, Overkill, Death Angel Planned". Archived from the original on July 17, 2011.
  23. ↑ Lamb Of God's Chris Adler Is Officially The Drummer For Megadeth's New Album
  24. ↑ Shefeek, Afrin (November 30, 2019). "Namah, saluting the luminary". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
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