SLAYER / LOMBARDO Controversy - Dead Serious Or LICH KING Style

By Featured Artists

Numerous discussions have been going on amongst SLAYER fans around the globe since DAVE LOMBARDO released his statement on being replaced for the band’s current Australian tour two days ago.

Slayer retaliated that “we do not agree with Dave Lombardo's substance or timeline of events” in a statement on Blabbermouth yesterday.

To know that there’s probably no other band on the planet being taken as serious by fans as Slayer is almost general knowledge. No show worldwide can justifiably be classified as metal without someone screaming “SLAYYYEEERRR!!!” and others joining in.

How dead serious the matter can be discussed shows best on the The United Church Of Slayer Facebook page where arguing had reached a degree at which one can hardly speak of “united” fans.

For either of us in the business, TESTAMENT’s Alex Skolnick has the wisest counsel:

Re:Slayer-Not my place (or anyone else's really) to comment on others' business. But as a fan & friend of the band, u hate 2 see falling out

— Alex Skolnick (@AlexSkolnick) February 21, 2013

Again, a completely different approach comes from U.S. thrashers LICH KING. A band to be taken dead serious music wise, but handling lyrics and their public statements with a wink - that is not understood by everyone.

Naturally, Lich King have their own and unique approach to the ongoing controversy and just issued an open letter to Dave Lombardo on their Facebook page.

Don’t get them wrong (again...): Lich King’s drummer Brian Westbrook has neither quit the band nor has he been sacked! The letter is just a damn classy joke that might help certain individuals to put the whole controversy back into perspective.

I laughed myself to tears while having first coffee and listening to South Of Heaven this morning, and hopefully you enjoy it just as much! Here you go:

An open letter to Dave Lombardo

Mr. Lombardo

What with your contract woes with Slayer, it seems you are now no longer a member. Well, Dave, they say with every door that closes, another opens. A big door with our logo on it has just swung wide.

That's right, you just got called up to the big leagues. We'd like to invite you to drum for Lich King.

We are the world's premier unsigned western Massachusetts thrash metal band, and a position with us carries a great deal of clout and privilege. In addition to the twelve dollars we can give you out of our pay split after EVERY SHOW, we are willing to offer you a signing bonus of ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS and one (1) gift certificate for $20 at Red Robin.

Your duties will include
• Drumming
• Hauling gear
• Driving long hours on tour
• Providing us with a practice space because ours belongs to our current drummer Brian
• Booking tours (also a Brian duty)
• Recording and producing our albums (Brian again)
• Telling Brian he's fired

If you accept, there will of course be an audition. We can't just let you in without seeing what you can do. Practice up on any three of our songs. We can send you the mp3s to practice to (we will deduct the 99 cents per song from your future earnings) and can schedule your audition at your convenience.

We await your response.
Cordially
-Tom, Dave, Joe & Rob
LICH KING

Statement From DAVE LOMBARDO Regarding SLAYER Australian Tour 2013

DAVE LOMBARDO will not be part of SLAYER’s upcoming Australian tour. 

He has issued the following statement on his Facebook page:

I want to personally apologize to all of our fans in Australia who have bought tickets for the tour expecting to see me in my usual place on the drums.

So that you all know the truth, as of the end of the business day on February 14th, I was notified that I would not be drumming for the tour in Australia. I’m saddened, and to be honest I am shocked by the situation.

Last year, I discovered 90% of Slayer’s tour income was being deducted as expenses including the professional fees paid to management, costing the band millions of dollars and leaving 10% or less to split amongst the four of us. In my opinion, this is not the way a band’s business should operate. I tried rectifying it by letting my band mates know, and Tom and I hired auditors to figure out what happened, but I was denied access to detailed information and the necessary back up documents.

I spent the Christmas and New Year holidays realizing I had toured all over the world in 2012, but yet, had not been paid (except a small advance) or provided a proper accounting for a full year's sweat and blood. On top of this, I was told that I would not be paid until I signed a long form contract which gave me no written assurance of how much or on what basis management would deduct commissions, nor did it provide me access to the financial budgets or records for review. It also forbade me to do interviews or make statements having to do with the band, in effect a gagging order.

Last Monday, I sat down with Kerry and Tom to rehearse for Australia and to propose a new business model that I felt was the best way forward for Slayer to confidently protect itself so we could do what we do best . . . play for the fans. Kerry made it clear he wasn’t interested in making changes and said if I wanted to argue the point, he would find another drummer. On Thursday, I arrived at rehearsals at 1 pm as scheduled, but Kerry did not show. Rather, at 6:24 pm I received an email from the lawyers saying I was being replaced for the Australian dates.

I remain hopeful that we can resolve our issues. But once again, I sincerely apologize to all of our fans in Australia who spent their money expecting to see the 3 of us original Slayer members.

I look forward to seeing you in the future.

Sincerely,
Dave Lombardo

Sven`s World Metal TV - New Episode December 2010 Online

Sven`s WorldMetal TVDecember 2010

Interviews: Jeff Becerra (Possessed), Gumo (Gumo Maniacs), Braindeadz
Live Clips: POSSESSED,NAPALM DEATH,EXUMER,GUMO MANIACS

Sven Granert @Myspace