Drummer Dave Lombardo was recently asked if he would take part in a hypothetical SLAYER reunion tour
Dave Lombardo appeared on a recent episode of the “Mark And Me” podcast, and was asked if he was aware, during his time behind the drum kit with SLAYER, of just how much the group had been progressing. Dave responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I was caught up in my own personal turmoil. So a lot of it I really didn’t see or really sense the magnitude of what the band was doing.
“But now looking back, I do. But at the time, you really didn’t. Yeah, you saw it get bigger and bigger. But there were, at that time, a lot of questions, but then there were times where I just went with the flow. I just didn’t care. I just played and just enjoyed the ride.”
When Dave was asked if he “would be on board” with a hyporthetical SLAYER reunion tour, he replied: “I really don’t wanna answer anything like that because what ends up happening is that the focus right now would be [my new project] EMPIRE STATE BASTARD and my future, and the future, which is… I think, a big part of my personal success is that I don’t look back.
“I’m always striving to better myself musically in every way possible, so answering a question like that sometimes takes away of what our focus is on right now. So, respectfully, I’m gonna have to decline [to answer] that question.”
Lombardo, a seasoned drummer who has been involved with various musical endeavors such as EMPIRE STATE BASTARD, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, MISFITS, DEAD CROSS, and MR. BUNGLE in recent years, faced an abrupt departure from SLAYER. The catalyst for this separation occurred during SLAYER‘s Australian tour in February/March 2013, where Lombardo chose not to participate due to contractual disagreements with fellow band members. Paul Bostaph, who previously served as SLAYER‘s drummer from 1992 to 2001, assumed Lombardo‘s role as a replacement.
Following his dismissal, Lombardo disclosed that a substantial 90 percent of SLAYER‘s tour earnings were being deducted as expenses, including management fees. This financial arrangement, costing the band millions, left only a meager 10 percent to be divided among the four members. Lombardo, along with Tom Araya, sought clarification by hiring auditors to investigate the financial discrepancies. However, Lombardo claimed he was denied access to any information obtained during this process.
SLAYER concluded their illustrious career with a final performance at The Forum in Los Angeles in November 2019.