Drumming News
Former Lamb of God and Megadeth drummer Chris Adler has opened up in a candid new interview about the personal and medical challenges that led to his departure from Lamb of God in 2019. Speaking on the Loaded Radio podcast, Adler revealed for the first time that he was diagnosed with musician’s dystonia, a rare neurological disorder that causes involuntary muscle contractions and can make playing an instrument nearly impossible.
“My mom passed away. I was in the middle of a terrible divorce. I’d had the motorcycle accident. And I haven’t talked about this before, but… I was diagnosed with something called musician’s dystonia,” Adler said. “I didn’t want to talk about it at the time because I felt like it would really hinder my career.”
For Adler, the condition affected his right foot, a crucial limb for any metal drummer. “I’d be playing a song, and my foot, when I intended it to depress the pedal, would shoot off to the side. It was so frustrating. I knew the band was frustrated too,” he admitted.
Adler did provide the band with medical documentation and suggested adjustments to help him manage, but other tensions—like his involvement with Megadeth—only added strain. Eventually, he was let go via email. “It was devastating,” Adler said. “I felt like it was my baby, my life’s work.”
Despite the blow, Adler didn’t give up. Over time, he retrained himself to drum using his left foot as the lead—essentially learning to play backwards. After intense therapy and years of dedication, Adler returned to music with his new band Firstborne.
Though there’s been no communication with his former Lamb of God bandmates since the split, Adler says he holds no bitterness. “I’ve worked through those resentments,” he reflected. “Looking back now in a different mindset, it was probably a very good time to walk away.”
With a new chapter in full swing and a deeper appreciation for life off the road, Adler says he’s grateful. “I’ve gotten remarried, we’ve got three teenagers, dogs, cats… And now I’ve got Firstborne keeping me busy. I’m proud of everything I did with Lamb of God. I wouldn’t do it any other way.”
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