Former Slayer Drummer Dave Lombardo Announces Debut LP 'Rites Of Percussion', Shares First Single
Wednesday, 08 March 2023
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Ekaterina Gorbacheva
Former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo has announced his debut solo album.
'Rites Of Percussion' will arrive on May 5 via Ipecac Recordings, and comprises 13 compositions that utilize a wide range of percussion instruments, including a large concert bass drum, a timpani, a grand piano, shakers, maracas, Chinese and symphonic gongs, Native American drums, congas, timbales, bongos, batás, wood blocks, djembes, ibos, darbukas, octobans, cajóns, and cymbals.
As a preview, the Havana-born beatmaker—also of Mr. Bungle, Testament, Suicidal Tendencies, Misfits, Dead Cross, Fantômas, Venamoris, and more—has dropped the rhythmical, drums-driven first single, Journey Of The Host. Lombardo commented:
"[Mike] Patton originally gave me the idea as far back as 1998. 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.’ So, the idea behind the album is years in the making. I just had to find the right time—for me—to do it."
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it gave Lombardo ample downtime to begin work on the project. Self-produced, the album's final masters were mixed in 2022 at his home studio by son, David A. Lombardo.
"It was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had," the drummer added. "I had my studio, all my drums. Nothing was in storage for once! 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' tracklist:
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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