Lamb of God, often abbreviated as LoG, stands as a prominent American heavy metal band hailing from Richmond, Virginia. The group’s origins trace back to 1994 when they were known as Burn the Priest.
Comprising members such as bassist John Campbell, vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, and drummer Art Cruz, the band has become a significant force within the new wave of American heavy metal movement.
Over the course of their existence, Lamb of God has unleashed eleven studio albums, incorporating two under the moniker Burn the Priest. Their latest offering, titled “Omens,” saw the light of day in October 2022. Beyond their studio releases, the band has issued a live album, a compilation album, three DVDs, two EPs, and an impressive twenty-eight singles.
Lamb of God’s cumulative sales have reached nearly two million in the United States, with two albums receiving Gold certification by the RIAA. Notably, the band secured Grammy nominations in 2010 and 2011 for tracks from their 2009 album “Wrath,” as well as a 2016 nomination for their song “512.”
Their live appearances have spanned prestigious events such as Ozzfest, Download Festival, Sonisphere Festival, Soundwave Festival, Mayhem Festival 2010, Gigantour, and their participation in Metallica’s World Magnetic Tour from 2008 to 2010. Further, they lent support to Slayer during their final world tour in 2018 and 2019.
Formation and Burn the Priest Era (1994–1999) Origins and the group’s early days are documented in the main article titled “Burn the Priest.” In 1994, the foundation was laid by bassist John Campbell, drummer Chris Adler, and guitarists Mark Morton and Matt Conner under the name Burn the Priest. These musicians were interconnected through their shared attendance at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.
Conner and Morton eventually departed, with Adler and Campbell enlisting Abe Spear in place of Morton. The ensuing five years witnessed the band refining their craft across Richmond and throughout Virginia. In 1995, their self-titled debut demo emerged, followed by collaborative split EPs with Agents of Satan and ZED. Vocalist Randy Blythe joined the lineup after the initial trio of demos.
1997 marked Morton’s return to the fold, followed by the release of their inaugural full-length self-titled album, “Burn the Priest,” in the subsequent two years via Legion Records. Financially supported by Mikey Brosnan of Legion Records, the album’s production took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, through a series of DIY shows.
The production was helmed by Steve Austin, known for his role in Today Is the Day. In the wake of Spear’s departure, the position of guitarist was filled by Adler’s younger brother Willie. A partnership with Prosthetic Records was solidified. It’s worth clarifying that the shift to the name Lamb of God was not prompted by bans from venues, as some rumors suggest; these bans occurred after the name change. The decision to alter their name was driven by lineup changes and a desire to avoid confusion with satanic metal imagery.