Protest The Hero has announced that drummer Moe Carlson has quit the band and that Lamb Of God’s Chris Adler will take his place on their forthcoming album. Statements from members of the band as well as Chris Adler can be read below.
In an interview with AUX, Protest The Hero vocalist Rody Walker explained that Carlson had left to pursue his studies: “He approached me one day—he approached everyone individually—and said, ‘just to let you know, I’m going back to school,’ and I was like, ‘good for you, that’s awesome… then he said he didn’t have any intentions of touring ever again.”
He added: “That kind of sucked, it was a shock, obviously, but he’s been really good about the whole thing.”
Carlson elaborated, stating that it took a fair amount of time and due consideration before he reached his decision: “About a year ago I started thinking about [school], then over the last six months I put things into action,” he said.
Walker said that while Carlson sorted out his schooling, Protest The Hero were considering whom could replace him: “With Moe’s guidance and approval, we found us a nice match in Chris Adler!” he decreed. “Having known Chris for a few years, and with he and Moe being drum buddies, it seemed like a perfect fit.”
Walker then revealed that Adler had already laid down his tracks: “We are happy to say that Chris has already come and gone from Canada and has left us with some beautiful drum tracks.”
Walker added that Adler’s inclusion had taken the band in a heavier direction: “He’s coming from such a different spot than us. We come to heavy metal through punk rock. It must have been strange for him playing some punk beats, and some of the punk beats he plays in a heavy metal way. This may come out being one of our more heavy sounding records, or more metal sounding record.”
Adler also released a statement, which read as follows: “I was thrilled to get the call to join up and help out my friends in Protest, how could I turn down one of my favorite bands? I’ve done a bit of session work before with Testament and Ron Jarzombek but nothing this immersive. I lived and breathed this record for 8 weeks and even lived in Toronto for a month with the guys. The experience was intense to say the least. Some of the most demanding and intricate drum work of my career. I’m very proud to have been a part of the Protest family and can’t wait to have you hear it.”
Stay tuned for further updates.