In a recent interview with Blabbermouth, former Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler has publicly disclosed that he was approached by thrash metal titans Testament to join their ranks in 2022, following Gene Hoglan‘s second departure from the band. Despite the opportunity to join another prominent act, Adler ultimately declined the offer, citing a period of profound personal chaos that made the commitment unrealistic.
“There have been offers, right from the start. I don’t think they would mind saying it. I think Gene was leaving Testament, and they got in touch right away. That was right when I decided to start chapter two.”
Adler shared the challenging circumstances that led to his decision. “There were a lot of things going on. I was in the middle of a terrible divorce; my mom just died. I got diagnosed with an issue that was making things a lot more difficult at the time,” Adler revealed, explaining why the timing wasn’t right for him to take on such a demanding role.
Instead, Adler has been charting a different course for what he calls “chapter two” of his career. He is currently focusing on his project Firstborne and selectively undertaking “for-hire” studio work from his home setup. Adler expressed a desire to explore new musical avenues, moving beyond the expectations often tied to his iconic work with Lamb of God. “I know people are going to expect me to do what I did in Lamb, but I want to challenge myself and do something else. Part of this chapter two is something new,” he stated, emphasizing his current enjoyment of being able to choose projects that align with his evolving artistic interests.
Following Hoglan‘s 2022 exit, Testament briefly enlisted Dave Lombardo (formerly of Slayer) before Chris Dovas assumed the drumming duties, becoming the band’s current percussionist. Adler‘s potential recruitment would not have been entirely out of left field for Testament, as he had previously contributed drums to the bonus track “A Day in the Death” on their 2012 album, Dark Roots of Earth. However, personal circumstances guided his decision, leading him to prioritize his well-being and a new, more flexible approach to his musical career.
