CHRIS ADLER Talks FIRSTBORNE, Health Struggles, and the Real Story Behind His Shocking Firing From LAMB OF GOD in 2019

The Grammy-winning drummer joins the Loaded Radio Podcast to discuss new music, past tensions, and what really happened with Megadeth and Lamb Of God

TL;DR

The Chris Adler Loaded Radio Podcast interview: The drummer talks about his latest band Firstborne, living with musician’s dystonia, and—for the first time in full—what led to his firing from Lamb Of God. In this in-depth conversation, Adler opens up about working with Dave Mustaine on Megadeth's Dystopia, the emotional toll of being let go from a band he helped build, and the creative fire that still fuels his work today. The podcast follows the viral teaser video that garnered over 200,000 views in just days. You can check that out at the bottom of this article.

Firstborne and the return of creative freedom

In the early moments of the podcast, Chris Adler talks passionately about his current band, Firstborne, a high-powered metal outfit that includes bassist James LoMenzo (ex-Megadeth, White Lion) and vocalist Girish Pradhan (Girish and The Chronicles). For Adler, Firstborne represents not just a new project, but a reclaiming of musical identity.

He describes the band as a space where he can create without compromise—an important contrast to his time in more rigid, expectation-heavy settings like Lamb Of God and Megadeth. With new music in the works and a growing fanbase, Firstborne is where Adler says he feels most musically free.

The Chris Adler Loaded Radio Podcast Interview: “It was devastating to me.”

One of the most talked-about moments in metal this week came from a teaser clip—now gone viral—in which Chris Adler confirmed he was fired from Lamb Of God. In the full podcast episode, he goes much deeper, explaining that he was silently suffering from musician’s dystonia, a neurological condition that severely affected his right leg, making drumming a physical and emotional struggle.

Adler makes it clear that the departure was not mutual or voluntary. At the time, the band didn’t fully understand what he was dealing with—nor did he. It was only after his exit that he received a diagnosis.

Working with Megadeth: “It was lovely.”

Adler’s time in Megadeth was short but historic. He recorded drums for the band’s Grammy-winning album Dystopia and performed live with them during a particularly high-profile period. In the episode, Adler reflects on working with Dave Mustaine, saying, “He’s the most generous, nicest, kindest guy.” Despite Mustaine’s often polarizing reputation, Adler describes the experience as “a dream come true.”

At the same time, he acknowledges that working with Megadeth and Protest The Hero during that same period contributed to growing tension within Lamb Of God, which was already strained by his physical health issues.

The emotional aftermath and what’s next

Adler also discusses the emotional impact of being removed from the band he co-founded, the complicated relationships that followed, and his journey to acceptance. He makes it clear that despite everything, he holds no ill will, and continues to find peace and purpose through projects like Firstborne and his latest band Shallow Rising.

The conversation is open, honest, and at times heavy—making it one of the most significant interviews of Adler’s career to date.

Inside the Underground: Joe Davis Joins the Show

The second half of this week’s Loaded Radio Podcast marks the debut of a brand-new segment we’re calling Inside the Underground — a recurring feature where we highlight the voices of people who live and breathe heavy music from the inside. These are the producers, players, artists, writers, and behind-the-scenes champions of metal culture who often go unheard — but deserve to be known.

This week, Joe Davis of The Joe Davis Band joins Scott to talk about who he is, what he does, and why his journey in music matters. A gifted guitarist, songwriter, and independent artist, Joe Davis brings authenticity and grit to everything he touches — and in this conversation, he shares the struggles, wins, and motivations that fuel his place in the metal and hard rock community.

It’s a grounded, human contrast to the headline stories, and a fresh addition to what the Loaded Radio Podcast delivers weekly.