The Unstoppable Force: 5 Shocking Facts About David Lombardo’s Tumultuous History With Slayer And His Explosive 2024 Career

For decades, David Lombardo has been universally recognized as the "Godfather of Double Bass Drumming," his explosive rhythms defining the sound of thrash metal pioneers, Slayer. As of December 10, 2025, the conversation around Lombardo is more charged than ever, fueled by the recent, unexpected announcement of a Slayer reunion that pointedly excluded their co-founding drummer, and fresh, hostile comments from his former bandmates. This article dives deep into the legendary drummer's contentious history with the band, the shocking financial details that drove him away, and the powerhouse of projects that define his career today, proving he is an unstoppable force in the world of heavy music. The story of David Lombardo and Slayer is a complex, decades-long saga marked by musical brilliance and bitter financial disputes. Despite his pivotal role in creating landmark albums like *Reign in Blood* and *South of Heaven*, Lombardo's tenure was punctuated by three dramatic departures, each leaving a trail of controversy and bad blood that continues to make headlines in 2024. His current creative output, however, is a testament to an artist who refuses to be defined by his past, cementing his status as one of the most prolific and influential drummers in metal history.

David Lombardo: Full Biography and Profile

David Lombardo is a Cuban-American drummer, percussionist, and composer, best known as the co-founding drummer of the iconic thrash metal band Slayer.

• Full Name: David Lombardo
• Born: February 16, 1965
• Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
• Nationality: Cuban-American
• Genre: Thrash Metal, Experimental Metal, Hardcore Punk, Groove Metal
• Signature Style: Known for his incredible speed, precision, and pioneering use of the double bass drumming technique, earning him the nickname "The Godfather of Double Bass."
• Slayer Tenure: 1981–1986, 1987–1992, 2001–2013
• Key Slayer Albums: *Show No Mercy* (1983), *Hell Awaits* (1985), *Reign in Blood* (1986), *South of Heaven* (1988), *Seasons in the Abyss* (1990), *Christ Illusion* (2006).
• Current Bands (2025): Fantômas, Dead Cross, Mr. Bungle, Empire State Bastard, and Misfits.
• Notable Past Projects: Grip Inc., Philm, Testament, Suicidal Tendencies, and The Haunted.
• Early Life: Moved from Havana to South Gate, California, with his family at the age of two.

The Three Explosive Departures: Financial Disputes and Betrayal

The relationship between David Lombardo and Slayer has been a cycle of groundbreaking musical collaboration followed by acrimonious splits, almost always centered on financial disagreements. His three departures are legendary in metal folklore.

1. The First Exit (1986): "I Was Flat Broke"

Lombardo's initial departure from Slayer came in 1986, shortly after the release of the band's masterpiece, *Reign in Blood*. The reason was straightforward: financial concerns. The drummer stated that he was "flat broke" and not making enough money to cover his basic living expenses despite the band's rising success. This early dispute set a precedent for the band's internal financial structure and the tensions that would resurface later. He returned a year later, but the seed of distrust had been sown.

2. The Second Exit (1992): The Birth of Grip Inc.

After the successful *Seasons in the Abyss* era, Lombardo left Slayer again in 1992. While the exact reasons are often cited as personal, this departure led him to explore other creative avenues, most notably his groove metal side project, Grip Inc. This period also saw him work with other entities, including the experimental band Fantômas, showcasing his need for a broader musical landscape beyond the thrash metal confines of Slayer.

3. The Final Firing (2013): Contract Complaints and Legal Action

Lombardo's third and final split in 2013 was the most contentious and public. Before the band was set to play the Soundwave Festival in Australia, Lombardo went public with details of a pay dispute and contract complaints. He alleged that he had not been paid for his services and was seeking a transparent accounting of the band's finances. This resulted in him being told by Slayer's lawyers that his services were "no longer wanted," effectively firing him. Tom Araya, Slayer's bassist and vocalist, later revealed that the issue stemmed from Lombardo attempting to renegotiate his contract just before a major tour, which the band felt was inappropriate timing. This dramatic exit solidified the irreparable rift between Lombardo, Kerry King, and Tom Araya.

The Bitter Truth of the 2024 Slayer Reunion Exclusion

The biggest news in the metal world in 2024 was the unexpected announcement that Slayer would be reuniting for a series of festival dates. However, the lineup confirmed Paul Bostaph would be behind the kit, not David Lombardo. This exclusion is a direct result of the toxic relationship that has festered since the 2013 firing. Lombardo will not be part of the reunion because he "no longer has a good relationship with his ex-bandmates."

Kerry King's Hostile 2024 Comments

The animosity was further inflamed by Kerry King's public statements in February 2024, where he "blasted" the former drummer and confirmed he no longer speaks to him. King’s comments reinforce the long-held belief that Lombardo's attempts to seek financial clarity and fair compensation were viewed as a betrayal by the other founding members. Lombardo himself has been clear that a return is impossible, stating that he will "never be asked to return to Slayer" and has continued to bash King and Araya in interviews, emphasizing the long-standing emotional distance between the members. This candid admission highlights that the members of Slayer were never a close-knit group, often not speaking to each other between tours.

The Unstoppable Force: David Lombardo’s Prolific 2025 Career

Freed from the constraints of Slayer's corporate structure and creative limitations, David Lombardo has become one of the most in-demand drummers in music. His current projects demonstrate a vast topical authority across multiple genres, from experimental rock to punk and thrash. Lombardo's need for creative freedom was a major factor in his desire to move beyond Slayer. He admitted in a recent interview that he was "feeling a little frustrated" and needed more than just Slayer, which is why he sought new creative outlets as far back as 1989. His current roster of active bands is staggering: * Mr. Bungle: The eclectic, avant-garde side project of Faith No More vocalist Mike Patton. * Dead Cross: A hardcore punk supergroup featuring Patton and a blend of aggressive, raw energy. * Misfits: He performs with the legendary horror punk band, bringing his signature thunder to their classic material. * Fantômas: Another experimental supergroup, allowing him to push the boundaries of extreme music. * Empire State Bastard: A new, extreme metal entity that further showcases his versatility. In late 2024, Lombardo also weighed in on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in music, demonstrating his engagement with the future of the industry, not just its past. His relentless pursuit of new sounds, from the technical thrash of Testament to the experimental noise of his current groups, confirms his legacy as a true drumming innovator whose career is far from over. His financial independence, which was the core issue with Slayer, is now reflected in his diverse and highly successful portfolio of projects.