Dave Lombardo Blasts Ex-Bandmates for Slayer Ouster + Behavior at Jeff Hanneman’s Memorial
To say that the split between Slayer and drummer Dave Lombardo is contentious might be a bit of an understatement. The skinbeater says in a new interview with Planet Mosh that the situation that led to his ousting could have been "an easy fix," but instead he now has a "non-existent" relationship with his former bandmates, calling their treatment of him "sickening." Additionally, Lombardo criticizes frontman Tom Araya's absence from Jeff Hanneman's memorial and the "self-centered stories" guitarist Kerry King shared during the service.
Lombardo says, "I wasn't asking for anything other than to be treated equally. I'm sure I've made mistakes along the way, but my intention was never to leave. Who would do that in the golden years of the band? Where we stand now disgusts me. Jeff didn't want this -- and neither did I."
As for recent quotes by Tom Araya that he was viewed as "a working member of the band" rather than a partner, Lombardo states, "It's sickening. I left the band in '92 to be at home for the birth of my son, period. One show changed the course of this band. Tom has forgotten history … swallowed the stories that have been created throughout the years to sell tickets. If it weren't for me, Slayer would not exist. I approached Kerry to start this band. Somehow, they've forgotten that."
Speaking about the death of Jeff Hanneman, Lambardo states that while he hadn't seen the guitarist for a few months before he passed, they had exchanged phone calls and texts. He adds, "I couldn't ask anything more than what my relationship was with Jeff. It was amazing."
And while many thought that Hanneman's passing might quell the bad feelings between bandmates, that hasn't happened. Lombardo says, "I was shocked that Tom didn't show up to the memorial. It was uncomfortable for me to be there, given what was going on with the band, but I still showed up. I was equally shocked at Kerry's self-centered stories. None of his stories described the kind of human being Jeff was."
With Slayer no longer part of the picture, Lombardo is continuing to work with his other band Philm. Lombardo says the band's second album is ready to go and he's already started work on music for what will eventually be their third release. Stay tuned for info soon on the release of the next Philm album.