Few drummers have left a mark on heavy music quite like Dave Lombardo. Best known for his thunderous, genre-defining work with Slayer, Lombardo has spent decades pushing the boundaries of percussion across multiple projects. In a recent conversation with Fistful of Metal magazine (via Blabbermouth), Lombardo opened up about his ability to adapt to wildly different musical landscapes, which in turn became his strength.
Lombardo’s willingness to step outside his comfort zone dates back to the late ’80s, when the relentless touring cycle with Slayer left him searching for new creative outlets. “Way back in ’89, after touring month after month with Slayer, I was feeling a little frustrated after doing the same old thing day after day. It became so repetitive, and I really had an overwhelming urge to do something different. Something that really challenged my ability. I wanted to branch out and work with other musicians, so in the early ’90s, I started working with Testament and Fantômas.”
“I felt that I was a little bit of a chameleon, where I could just adapt to so many different styles of music and work with a varied range of guitar players and tempos – especially with Fantômas. The dynamics change so fast with Fantômas, so I had to adapt very quickly to the arrangements, and I’m so thankful that Mike saw my ability to do just that. It was a lot of fun working together back then, and it still is today. I’m eternally grateful to him for inviting me along for this wild ride – not to mention introducing me to John Zorn [jazz-metal composer]. That was really the moment for me that changed so much. This was what I was really hungry for when I think back to that frustrated feeling in ’89.”
For Lombardo, artistic freedom has always been a driving force. His long-time collaborations with Mike Patton (Mr. Bungle, Faith No More, Fantômas) have only reinforced that belief. “I’ve worked with Mike on so many projects, and he always told me to follow my instincts and not to be afraid to put out my art into the world. That made a huge impact on my confidence and was a big part of the decision process when it came to my solo stuff.”
Still, Lombardo is not blind to the double-edged sword of modern-day exposure. “I’m also very aware that social media is a monster, and as good as it can be at times, it can also destroy artists. So that’s always in the back of my mind, but then that punk attitude kicks in and I just don’t give a fuck of what anyone thinks.”
Now, with his latest endeavor, Venamoris, he’s exploring a deeply personal side of his artistry alongside his wife, Paula Lombardo. Talking about the making of Venamoris’ latest album, To Cross Or To Burn, he described it as an experience unlike any other in his storied career.
“This is such a personal album, that is born and created in our home. We have full control of sounds, rhythms, atmospheric drones and textures, etc. We decide on everything, and that makes it so special,” Lombardo shared. The deeply personal nature of the lyrics, written by Paula, added another layer of intensity to the project. “The fact that these are Paula’s lyrics also is kind of scary for her, as it’s some very personal lyrics for her, and that can be very daunting to show the world. Making this album was a very liberating experience for both of us. I’m used to a producer breathing down my neck or a tight deadline for some projects, but with Venamoris, everything was on our terms.”
Enter your information below to get a daily update with all of our headlines and receive The Orchard Metal newsletter.
Leave a Reply