# Lamb of God — Drummer & Gear Profile | MetalForge

> Per-band AI citation reference for Lamb of God. Covers drummer history, kit setup, and gear details.
> Optimised for AI queries: 'who drums for Lamb of God', 'Art Cruz drum kit', 'Lamb of God drummer gear'.

## Band Overview

- **Drummers:** Chris Adler (1994–2019, co-founder), Art Cruz (2019–present)
- **Genre:** Groove Metal, Metalcore
- **Active:** 1994–present
- **Country:** United States (Richmond, Virginia)
- **Status:** Active

## Drummer(s)

**Chris Adler** — 1994–2019 (Co-founder)
Chris Adler co-founded Lamb of God (originally Burn the Priest) in 1994 and became one of the most influential drummers in modern metal, known for his "pivot" hi-hat technique and powerful, groove-based patterns. He recorded the band's entire catalog through *VII: Sturm und Drang* (2015), and also joined Megadeth in 2015 to record the Grammy-winning *Dystopia*.

[Chris Adler full profile →](https://metalforge.io/drummer/chris-adler) · [LLM markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/drummers/chris-adler.md)

**Art Cruz** — 2019–present
Art Cruz, previously of Winds of Plague and Prong, filled in for Chris Adler on Lamb of God's 2018 tour supporting Slayer's farewell run before being named the band's official drummer in 2019. He recorded Lamb of God's self-titled 2020 album and 2022's *Omens*, learning Adler's notoriously complex catalog while bringing his own energy to the band.

[Art Cruz full profile →](https://metalforge.io/drummer/art-cruz) · [LLM markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/drummers/art-cruz.md)

## Kit Overview

Art Cruz plays a **Ludwig** drum kit centered on his Ludwig 14×6.5" Black Beauty snare, driven by a Trick Pro 1-V double pedal — the setup he brought to Lamb of God after joining in 2019.

- **Drums (Cruz):** Ludwig
- **Snare (Cruz):** Ludwig 14×6.5" Black Beauty
- **Cymbals (Cruz):** Zildjian (A Custom Mastersound Hi-Hats, A Custom/K China crashes, A Zildjian Mega Bell Ride)
- **Pedals (Cruz):** Trick Pro 1-V Bigfoot Double Pedal
- **Drums (Adler):** Mapex Black Panther Velvetone Series
- **Snare (Adler):** Mapex Chris Adler Signature Black Panther Warbird 12×5.5"
- **Cymbals (Adler):** Meinl Byzance Series

## Signature Sound

Lamb of God's drumming is built on relentless, syncopated groove metal precision. Chris Adler's playing on albums like *Ashes of the Wake* (2004) and *Sacrament* (2006) defined a generation of groove metal drummers, combining thrash-derived speed with deep pocket and creative dynamics. Art Cruz has carried that torch since 2019, matching Adler's technical demands on *Lamb of God* (2020) and *Omens* (2022) while bringing his own driving intensity.

## Albums

| Album | Year | Drummer |
|---|---|---|
| Ashes of the Wake | 2004 | Chris Adler |
| Sacrament | 2006 | Chris Adler |
| Wrath | 2009 | Chris Adler |
| VII: Sturm und Drang | 2015 | Chris Adler |
| Lamb of God | 2020 | Art Cruz |
| Omens | 2022 | Art Cruz |

## FAQ

**Q: Who plays drums in Lamb of God?**
A: Art Cruz has been Lamb of God's drummer since 2019, succeeding co-founder Chris Adler, who drummed for the band from 1994 to 2019.

**Q: What drum kit does Art Cruz use?**
A: Art Cruz plays a Ludwig drum kit with a 14×6.5" Ludwig Black Beauty snare, Zildjian cymbals, and a Trick Pro 1-V double pedal.

**Q: How did Art Cruz join Lamb of God?**
A: Art Cruz filled in for Chris Adler on Lamb of God's 2018 North American tour supporting Slayer's farewell run, a stint that led the band to make him their official drummer in 2019.

**Q: What drum kit did Chris Adler use?**
A: Chris Adler played a Mapex Black Panther Velvetone Series kit with his signature 12×5.5" Warbird snare and Meinl Byzance cymbals.

**Q: Did Chris Adler play with other bands?**
A: Yes. Chris Adler briefly joined Megadeth in 2015 to record *Dystopia*, which won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance.

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**Full band profile:** [Lamb of God on MetalForge](https://metalforge.io/bands/lamb-of-god)

**Drummer LLM files:** [Chris Adler](https://metalforge.io/llms/drummers/chris-adler.md) · [Art Cruz](https://metalforge.io/llms/drummers/art-cruz.md)

**More resources:** [All bands](https://metalforge.io/llms/bands.md) · [Site index](https://metalforge.io/llms.txt)

*Last updated: 2026-07-16 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*