Lamb of God (band)

Lore & Background

Lamb of God originated in 1994 as Burn the Priest, founded by bassist John Campbell, drummer Chris Adler, and guitarists Mark Morton and Matt Conner, all attending Virginia Commonwealth University. Morton and Conner left soon after, and the band added guitarist Abe Spear. After releasing a self-titled demo in 1995 and two split EPs, vocalist Randy Blythe joined. Morton returned in 1997, and the band released its first full-length album, Burn the Priest, in 1999 through Legion Records. Spear left, and Willie Adler replaced him, leading to a name change to Lamb of God to avoid being mistaken for a satanic metal band and due to the altered line-up.

The band released New American Gospel in 2000 and As the Palaces Burn in 2003, the latter voted number one album of 2003 by Revolver in their end-of-year list. Their 2004 album Ashes of the Wake debuted at number 27 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold in 2016. Sacrament (2006) debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy nomination for 'Redneck' in 2007. The band has toured with Ozzfest twice, supported Metallica's World Magnetic Tour (2008–2010), and supported Slayer on their final world tour (2018–2019).

Reader's Guide

Lamb of God's significance lies in their role as a cornerstone of the new wave of American heavy metal, blending technical precision with aggressive riffing. Their album Ashes of the Wake became their first RIAA Gold studio album, and Sacrament achieved Gold status in 2019. The band received Grammy nominations in 2010, 2011, and 2016, reflecting critical recognition. Their inclusion in the 'Big Four of 2000s metal' underscores their influence alongside Slipknot, Avenged Sevenfold, and System of a Down. Loudwire staff ranked them the 39th-best metal band of all time in 2016. With cumulative U.S. sales of nearly two million, they have maintained a consistent presence through twelve studio albums, extensive touring, and appearances at major festivals like Download, Sonisphere, Soundwave, Mayhem, and Gigantour. Their legacy includes a platinum-certified DVD (Killadelphia) and a reputation for intense live performances.

Did You Know?

• The band changed its name from Burn the Priest to Lamb of God to avoid being mistaken for a satanic metal band, not because of venue bans.
• Their album Ashes of the Wake was certified Gold by the RIAA in February 2016.
• Lamb of God supported Slayer on their final world tour in 2018 and 2019.
• The band's DVD Killadelphia was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2005.