DAVE LOMBARDO
Rites Of Percussion (Ipecac)
Dave Lombardo likes to keep himself busy. Best known as a founder member of Slayer, the drummer has also worked with everyone from Misfits and Testament to Suicidal Tendencies and John Zorn. When the pandemic presented him with some downtime, he seized the opportunity to finally take up the suggestion of his Fantômas and Mr Bungle bandmate Mike Patton and pull together a solo album: Rites Of Percussion.
That familiar double bass pummel propels part of Separation From The Sacred, but the record is more worldly than metalheads might expect, with the Cuban-born Lombardo indulging his passion for Latin American and African rhythms and instruments. Each track conjures up its own vibe. Initiatory Madness: an increasingly frenzied ritual. Maunder In Liminality: entrapment in a room full of ticking clocks, as time runs out. Interfearium and Blood Let: horror flick ambience.
Watching bands live, my eyes are almost invariably drawn to the drummer – but can a whole drum album hold the attention? Just about, but the intricacies and technicality of Rites Of Percussion are probably best appreciated by aficionados.
words BEN WOOLHEAD
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