ALBUM REVIEW: Rites Of Percussion – Dave Lombardo

DAVE LOMBARDO will forever be known first and foremost as the drumming colossus for the immortal SLAYER as well as being co-founder of the band, playing on undisputed classic albums Hell Awaits, Reign In Blood, South Of Heaven and Seasons In The Abyss before leaving and returning for the Christ Illusion and World Painted Blood albums and live duties, where he was, of course, a massive part of the band’s live arsenal. 

In between drumming for SLAYER and beyond, Lombardo didn’t rest on his laurels and his powerful drum style kept the rhythm for a number of projects like the underrated GRIP INC, working with Mike Patton in FANTOMAS, DEAD CROSS and MR BUNGLE, and as the drummer for TESTAMENT, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and the OG lineup of the MISFITS, plus many more.

He can now add his debut solo album Rites Of Percussion to that list. The album, which is released on Mike Patton‘s Ipecac label, demonstrates Lombardo‘s skills as a drummer to the limit as he takes you on a percussive and rhythmic journey that encompasses all his influences as a drummer, with so many rhythmic and percussive twists and turns throughout. From the deep and dubby opening salvo of Initatory Madness, to the caustic Inner Sanctum and the funky Journey To The Host, to the thrillingly menacing Interfearium, and all the way to closing number Animismo, Lombardo continuously lets his drumming do the talking throughout on this instrumental album that is brilliantly heavy on atmosphere with the experimental rhythms never being anything other than utterly compelling.

There can be a lot to take in at times here but Lombardo‘s pummelling tribal beats that fuel the album always take centre stage and let the other musical elements soar high, resulting in an almost cinematic nature at times. It’s never anything other than awe-inspiring, with jazz, funk and various styles of world music all featuring at some point, all played ably by Lombardo‘s skilled hands. With so many musical ideas to consume as you listen, this is an album that requires repeated listens and the relatively concise nature of Rites Of Percussion makes it perfect to listen to again and again. You will find new sounds to enjoy with every listen and the number of percussive sounds is especially impressive as it not just drums that Lombardo plays here, with djembes, bongos, cajóns and gongs all featuring to name just a few.

Rites Of Percussion is a record that is deeply hypnotic and one that demonstrates exactly how good a drummer Dave Lombardo is, one of the best ever, not just in extreme music but music in general. Let the joyous percussive rhythms take you on a journey with Rites Of Percussion, it’s one that you definitely won’t regret.

Rating: 8/10

Rites Of Percussion is set for release on May 5th via Ipecac Recordings.

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