Lamb of God 'VII: Sturm und Drang' Drum Setup — Chris Adler's Grammy-Nominated Farewell Studio Album | MetalForge
Chris Adler recorded VII: Sturm und Drang (2015) on a Mapex Black Panther Velvetone Series kit with a Mapex Chris Adler Signature Black Panther Warbird snare.
Complete breakdown of Chris Adler's drum setup on Lamb of God's VII: Sturm und Drang (2015) — Mapex Black Panther Velvetone kit, Meinl Byzance cymbals, the G...
Frequently Asked Questions
What drums did Chris Adler use on VII: Sturm und Drang?
Chris Adler used a Mapex Black Panther Velvetone Series kit on VII: Sturm und Drang (2015) — the same signature kit he'd used since returning to Mapex on Resolution (2012). The configuration included dual 22"x18" bass drums, 10" and 12" rack toms, and 14" and 16" floor toms, all in maple/walnut hybrid shells with SONIClear bearing edges. His signature Mapex Chris Adler Warbird snare, 12"x5.5", received a shell update to a matching maple/walnut hybrid construction for this era.
What cymbals did Chris Adler use on VII: Sturm und Drang?
Chris Adler used Meinl Byzance series cymbals on VII: Sturm und Drang, unchanged from his Resolution setup: 13" Byzance Traditional hi-hats, Byzance crashes at 18", 19", and 20", a 21" Byzance Dark Ride, dual Byzance Brilliant Chinas at 18" and 20", and a 10" Byzance Traditional Splash. The 18" China remains his signature accent cymbal, prominent on tracks like "Overlord" and "512."
Was VII: Sturm und Drang Grammy-nominated?
Yes. "512," the lead single from VII: Sturm und Drang, was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance at the 58th Grammy Awards in 2016, losing to Ghost's "Cirice." It was Lamb of God's fourth Grammy nomination in that category and Chris Adler's third Grammy-nominated Lamb of God album, following Sacrament's "Redneck" and Wrath's "Set to Fail."
Was VII: Sturm und Drang Chris Adler's last album with Lamb of God?
Yes, VII: Sturm und Drang (2015) is Chris Adler's final studio album of original material with Lamb of God. He departed the band in 2019, and the self-titled Lamb of God album released in 2020 featured new drummer Art Cruz. VII: Sturm und Drang closes the drumming arc that runs from New American Gospel (2000) through Ashes of the Wake, Sacrament, Wrath, and Resolution.
How is VII: Sturm und Drang connected to Randy Blythe's manslaughter case?
VII: Sturm und Drang was the first Lamb of God album written and recorded after frontman Randy Blythe's acquittal in March 2013 on manslaughter charges stemming from a fan's death at a 2010 Prague concert. Several tracks reference the ordeal directly — "512" is named for Blythe's cell number at Pankrác Prison, and "Still Echoes" draws on the prison's history. Blythe has said the album explores how people respond under extreme stress rather than serving as a literal "prison record."
Where was VII: Sturm und Drang recorded?
VII: Sturm und Drang was recorded at NRG Recording Studios in North Hollywood, California, and Suburban Soul Studios in Torrance, California, with producer Josh Wilbur — his second consecutive Lamb of God album after Resolution (2012). It was released July 24, 2015 through Epic Records in North America and Nuclear Blast internationally.