The game of musical drum seats for Big Four member Megadeth continues with supreme leader Dave Mustaine announcing that Chris Adler will no longer be filling the position. During a press conference in Tel Aviv, Mustaine explained that Adler was only ever a hired gun.
According to Blabbermouth, when asked what Mustaine takes into consideration when welcoming new musicians into the fold, as he did with Chris Adler and guitarist Kiko Loureiro, Mustaine retorted, “Well, I think that if you’re in the presence of greatness, it would be shameful not to allow that person to be great.” However he goes onto address the inference that Adler was a permanent part of the band:
“But let me back up, though. Chris Adler is not with Megadeth; he’s in Lamb Of God. 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, which… I’m very grateful for his contributions. 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.”
Adler, in case it wasn’t clear, currently fills the sticks position for Lamb Of God but featured on Megadeth’s latest album Dystopia, hence the speculation he would be a permanent member.
Adler will leave a lasting impression though, introducing the band to Soilwork drummer Dirk Verbeuren, who was announced as the band’s touring drummer. At first, it was announced he would be “filling in at all shows until Chris rejoins on June 28th”. Hence even more speculation.
Mustaine sounded hopeful but sketchy on whether Adler will be returning for the band’s next studio album, adding “I think it’s too early to say that.” So, aspiring drummers, better get practicing as there could be a position opening in Megadeth in the next 18 months.
Watch: Megadeth with Chris Adler, Quebec 2015
