Grip Inc.
American groove metal side project of drummer Dave Lombardo.
Grip Inc. was an American groove metal band and a side project of drummer Dave Lombardo, active from 1993 to 2006. They were signed to Steamhammer Records and released four studio albums.
Lombardo started the band in 1993 after the birth of his first child, teaming up with guitarist Waldemar Sorychta, who had been in Voodoocult. They completed the lineup with bassist Jason VieBrooks and vocalist Gus Chambers. Their debut album, *Power of Inner Strength*, came out in 1995 through Steamhammer Records. Before its release, Lombardo called leaving Slayer a low point in his career, as he was unsure what music to pursue. AllMusic’s Vincent Jeffries praised Lombardo’s performance on the album, noting that Slayer fans would appreciate his double bass work and overall aggression. Sorychta observed that critics and fans often found fault with the band’s music because of Lombardo’s Slayer fame—either expecting Grip Inc. to sound like Slayer and complaining when it didn’t, or, when Lombardo used the double bass drum, complaining that it sounded exactly like Slayer.
The second album, *Nemesis*, was released in 1997. Jeffries highlighted Lombardo’s “crushing drum work” as a central feature. That same year, bassist VieBrooks left and was replaced by Stuart Carruthers. With the new bassist, the band put out *Solidify* in 1999. Jeffries described it as a move toward “progressive and exotic rhythms, structures, and instrumentations, while never compromising intensity.”
The final lineup consisted of Chambers, Lombardo, and Sorychta (who also handled bass from 1999 onward). Former members included bassists Chaz Grimaldi, Jason VieBrooks, and Stuart Carruthers, as well as guitarist Bobby Gustafson. Chambers died in 2008.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Genre
- Groove metal, thrash metal
- Years Active
- 1993–2006
- Label
- Steamhammer
- Current Members
- Dave Lombardo / Waldemar Sorychta / Gus Chambers
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Following the birth of his first child in 1993, Dave Lombardo formed Grip Inc. with Voodoocult guitarist Waldemar Sorychta. The pair recruited bassist Jason VieBrooks and vocalist Gus Chambers to complete the line-up, releasing their debut record Power of Inner Strength in 1995, distributed via Steamhammer Records. Prior to the album's release, Lombardo described leaving Slayer as a career low because he did not know what type of music to play.
The band released Nemesis in 1997. Bassist VieBrooks left and was replaced by Stuart Carruthers in 1997. With a new bassist, the band released Solidify in 1999. The band's final line-up consisted of Gus Chambers, Dave Lombardo, and Waldemar Sorychta, who also played bass from 1999 onward. Chambers died in 2008.
Reader's Guide
Grip Inc. is significant primarily as a vehicle for Dave Lombardo's post-Slayer work, allowing him to explore groove metal while maintaining his aggressive drumming style. The band's reception was often colored by comparisons to Slayer, with critics and fans noting both similarities and differences. AllMusic reviewer Vincent Jeffries singled out Lombardo's drumming for praise on the debut album, noting that Slayer fans would enjoy his double bass work. Sorychta acknowledged that critics and music fans always spotted mistakes in their music because of Lombardo's popularity with Slayer, and that when Lombardo used the double bass drum, people complained that Grip Inc. sounded exactly like Slayer. The band's third album, Solidify, was described as a step towards progressive and exotic rhythms while never compromising intensity. Grip Inc. released four full-length albums before disbanding in 2006.
Did You Know?
- Grip Inc. was formed in 1993 following the birth of Dave Lombardo's first child.
- The band's debut album Power of Inner Strength was distributed via Steamhammer Records.
- Bassist Jason VieBrooks left the band in 1997 and was replaced by Stuart Carruthers.
- Vocalist Gus Chambers died in 2008.
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