The Wake

Lamb of God, from Richmond, Virginia is tearing the metal world to shreds. They play extreme thrash with elements of death metal, hardcore, with a slight Pantera touch. They recently released their fifth full-length album (and first on Epic Records), Ashes of the Wake. It is quite simply a great thrash record that you need to hear. Recently I was able to discuss the record and the band with guitarist Willie Adler.

Brant: Well, I would first like to congratulate you on your release “Ashes of the Wake,” it’s even better than “As the Palaces Burn.” It is possibly the best thrash album of the past three or four years.

How would you tell a listener who heard “Palaces” and is skeptical that you could possibly have outdone it, that “Ashes” is worthwhile and indeed better. What sets it apart, a step further?

Willie: It’s a Lamb of God record, pure and simple. (Brant’s note: This mean’s it KICKS ASS!)

Brant: What were the biggest influences on the recording of “Ashes of the Wake”?

Willie: Our influences haven’t really changed; it’s more of a growth in the dynamics of our relationships and our inter-relationships as musicians. How we relate to each other, and complement our different styles as players has grown and our maturity in songwriting has progressed as I would hope that every band would experience over time.

Brant: How was your Ozzfest experience?

Willie: Ozzfest was amazing, a little nerve racking at first (tight schedule, huge crowds), but it proved to be one of the best times that any of us have had as far as touring, it was like a big heavy metal summer-camp, all summer long with a lot of people that we knew and had befriended on previous tours.

Brant: Do you have any apprehensions of being on a major label such as Epic?

Willie: Of course at first you hear the horror stories from people that majors are going take your soul and re-direct your sound. But we have had nothing but positive feedback from the people that we work with at Epic, and they have not stuck their nose where it doesn’t belong. We’ll see what the future holds in store.

Brant: There is so much heavy music out there, what would you say to a metal-head who hasn’t heard you and wondering why he should bother?

Willie: I’m a metal-head and I love it.

Brant: What are Lamb of God’s biggest goals for the future?

Willie: I think that the only goals that we have is to just keep enjoying what we’re doing and hopefully stretch it out for as long we can.

Brant: What are you proudest of as a band? What do you regret?

Willie: I’m proud of the fact that we have actually reached people with the music that we create, that people are die-hard fans for something that I’ve created. My only regrets are when people come to a show and leave injured. There was a particular incident where this guy who had just returned from Iraq, came to a show and broke his femur in the wall of death, I think that really had an impact on everyone in the band.

Brant: With a lot of noise being made about bands such as Lamb of God, Shadows Fall, and God Forbid (don’t worry I realize you are thrashier than the other two) there is a big explosion of bands trying to play the same style… Is this flattering to you, or just sad that there are so many copycats?

Willie: Why wouldn’t it make me proud; I’m proud of the fact that I can be involved in a scene that I only observed and listened to as a kid.
I think that the more people that are interested in making heavy music the better, if they enjoy it, metal it up, that’s why I do it.

Brant: What bands were/are your biggest influences?

Willie: The ever popular Megadeth (if only in my mind), all the old favorites, Slayer, Testament, Kreator, Forbidden, I could go on and on. (Brant’s note: Willie has great taste… Go out and pick up Kreator’s Extreme Aggression right now… Hey, I SAID NOW! MOVE DAMN IT!)

Brant: Do you have any idea what further musical developments might occur for Lamb of God?

Willie: That’s the furthest thing from my mind, between writing ashes, immediately going on O-fest, coming home trying to relearn the ashes songs for the new set for the new tour that starts in 6 days; needless to say our plates are extremely full, but I’m sure you’ll get an earful on the next record.

Brant: Any final words of advice, opinions, rants, plugs you’d like to make to the readers?

Willie: WAKE UP; GO TO CLASS!!!!!!!!!