Chris Adler, the dynamic drummer who helped shape the unmistakable sound of Lamb of God, is embracing a new chapter. After stepping away from the metal spotlight, Adler is finally speaking out, not through relentless double kicks or thunderous fills, but with renewed clarity, purpose, and a fresh musical identity.

A Defining Departure

When Chris Adler stepped away from Lamb of God in 2019, it marked the end of an era. He had been there from the very beginning, helping shape the band’s identity and sound over two intense, trailblazing decades. While the news came as a surprise to many, for Adler, the decision had been building quietly in the background for some time.

“It wasn’t easy to walk away,” he admitted. “But at some point, I had to put my own well-being ahead of everything else.”

“I poured everything into that band for years,” he shared in a recent interview. “But eventually, I had to ask myself what it was costing me.”

“Leaving wasn’t something I took lightly,” he said in a recent interview with American Songwriter. “That band was a massive part of my life. But I had to make a decision that prioritized my well-being.”

The choice came in the wake of a serious motorcycle accident in 2017: an incident that sidelined him physically and pushed him to reassess everything. For the first time in years, he wasn’t behind a drum kit or on a tour bus. Instead, he found himself in stillness, thinking.

“That accident forced me to slow down,” Adler said. “It gave me space to ask: ‘What kind of life do I want from here on out?’”

Firstborne: A Different Kind of Heavy

The answer arrived not in the form of a comeback or a reinvention, but as something entirely new. Firstborne, Adler’s current project, reflects his shift in focus: from relentless speed to musical substance, from chaos to control.

Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Girish Pradhan and joined by veteran bassist James LoMenzo (ex-Megadeth), Firstborne brings an aggressive sound, yet melodic. It leans into groove and emotional weight rather than sheer intensity.

“This isn’t Lamb of God 2.0,” Adler said plainly. “We’re not looking to recapture what was. Firstborne is about where we are now, not where we’ve been.”

Their songs combine heavy riffs with accessible hooks, and the lyrics touch on themes like rebuilding, personal strength, and letting go of the past. It’s metal with heart, but without the need to prove anything.

Redefining What Matters

Chris Adler admits that the music industry grind once consumed him. Now, he’s trying to do things differently. Firstborne has opted to release music independently, outside the constraints of a traditional label.

“There’s freedom in not chasing charts or pleasing anyone but ourselves,” he said. “We’re creating music on our terms.”

He also spoke about rediscovering his love for music, something he hadn’t felt in years.

“For a long time, it started to feel like a job. I don’t ever want to feel that way again,” he said. “This is fun again. That matters more than anything else.”

Beyond the Stage

Outside the studio, Adler has been mentoring emerging musicians, using his experience to guide others through the often unforgiving music world. He’s also working quietly on side ventures: projects that align with his creative values, though he’s not rushing to unveil them.

“I’m interested in more than just drumming now,” he said. “Music will always be at my core, but I want to build something that lasts beyond the stage.”

No Bitterness, Only Gratitude

Even after the emotional weight of leaving Lamb of God, Adler looks back with nothing but respect.

“We achieved something incredible,” he said. “I’m grateful for the fans, for the music, for the journey. But that chapter is over.”

He admits there were tough conversations and broken ties, but he also says stepping away allowed him to heal, grow, and finally prioritize his own voice.

Now, with Firstborne continuing to drop new music and prepare for live shows, Adler feels a renewed sense of excitement.

“I’m not trying to outdo my past,” he said. “I’m trying to make something honest, and that feels better than anything I’ve done before.”