Dead Cross, Ex-Slayer Drummer Dave Lombardo Details Debut Solo Album

Embark on the "Journey of the Host" before 'Rites of Percussion' arrives

BY Calum SlingerlandPublished Mar 8, 2023

Dave Lombardo — the talented timekeeper who has drummed for the likes of Slayer, Dead Cross, Testament, Suicidal Tendencies and more — has announced his debut solo album. Lombardo will share Rites of Percussion on May 5 via Ipecac Recordings.

The 13-track Rites of Percussion revolves around the idea that "drums had to be drums," and as Lombardo explains in a release, making a percussion album largely came down to timing. 

"[Mike] Patton originally gave me the idea as far back as 1998," Lombardo shares of his longtime friend and collaborator. "He introduced me to Tito Puente's Top Percussion album. I was already familiar with Tito and was a bit shocked that Patton was so musically diverse, and that he surrounded himself with musicians of the same mindset. That inspired me. I have had ideas that I've recorded on cassette over the years, but Patton kept insisting that I had to do a 'drum album.'"

With touring off the table thanks to the pandemic, Lombardo holed up in his home studio with all manner of percussive instruments. While the list may not include his missing Slayer drum kitsRites of Percussion features the sounds of a large concert bass drum, timpani, grand piano, shakers, maracas, Chinese and symphonic gongs, Native American drums, congas, timbales, bongos, batás, wood blocks, djembes, ibos, darbukas, octobans, cajóns and cymbals.

"It was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had. I had my studio, all my drums. Nothing was in storage for once!" Lombardo shares of the writing and recording process. "My home became a place where I could be free and creative. On the one hand, the touring part of my livelihood had been taken away, but on the other, I finally had the time to educate myself on different software and recording techniques. It was a very educational and gratifying experience."

Rites of Percussion is previewed by "Journey of the Host," which you can hear alongside a visualizer below. The album was mixed by Lombardo's son, David A. Lombardo.

Last October, Lombardo and his Dead Cross bandmates delivered their sophomore album.

Pre-order Rites of Percussion.


Rites of Percussion:

1. Initiatory Madness
2. Separation from the Sacred
3. Inner Sanctum
4. Journey of the Host
5. Maunder in Liminality
6. Despojo
7. Interfearium
8. Blood Let
9. Warpath
10. Guerrero
11. Vicissitude
12. Omiero
13. Animismo

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