Testament announce Dave Lombardo as their new drummer

American thrash metal legends Testament have announced Dave Lombardo (Suicidal Tendencies, ex-Slayer, etc.) as their new drummer. His addition to the group follows this past January’s announcement that Gene Hoglan had stepped down. That split was described as amicable, with Hoglan vacating his role to accommodate his various other projects and commitments.

Lombardo previously took up the drumming duties for Testament back in the late 90s, appearing on their album “The Gathering“. Speaking of his return to the group, Lombardo himself offered:

This is a long-awaited reunion that was bound to happen. Once upon a time, we created a thrash masterpiece. I have no doubt that our musical chemistry will pick up exactly where we left off. I love the Testament family and am very excited to be joining them once again. Pure brutality awaits.

Dave Lombardo

Testament vocalist Chuck Billy offered:

I’ll state the obvious, We are more than overwhelmed to welcome back Dave Lombardo to play drums with Testament. We are so excited to share the stage again with Lombardo. Dave added immense power when he joined the band for “The Gathering”, and we are ecstatic to see what new flavor he will bring back to Testament.Chuck Billy

Testament‘s guitarist/vocalist Eric Peterson added:

Having Dave Lombardo join us again feels like we are picking up where unfinished business had left off. There is a silver lining to every cloud and working again with Dave calls for us to celebrate with our horns held high!Eric Peterson

Testament, Exodus and Death Angel have been booked for The Bay Area Strikes Back Tour this spring, it will run as follows:

04/09 San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theater
04/10 Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
04/12 San Diego, CA – House of Blues
04/13 Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
04/15 Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
04/16 Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
04/19 Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
04/20 Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
04/21 Austin, TX – Emo’s
04/22 Dallas, TX – Amplified Live
04/23 New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
04/25 Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live
04/26 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
04/27 Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
04/28 Chattanooga, TN – The Signal
04/30 Sayreville, NJ -Starland Ballroom
05/01 Baltimore, MD – Soundstage
05/02 Boston, MA – House of Blues
05/03 Philadelphia, PA – Theater of Living Arts
05/05 Huntington, NY – The Paramount
05/06 Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
05/07 Cincinnati, OH – Madison Theater
05/09 Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
05/10 Cleveland, OH – The Agora
05/11 Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
05/12 Detroit, MI – The Majestic Theatre
05/14 Joliet, IL – The Forge
05/15 Joliet, IL – The Forge
05/17 Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theatre
05/19 Denver, CO – Summit
05/20 Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
05/22 Seattle, WA – Showbox
05/23 Portland, OR – Roseland
05/25 Sacramento, CA – Ace Of Spades