The Angels of Death will descend on Arco Arena on Sept. 1. Metal band Slayer will co-headline with Megadeth, with Testament as opener for the American Carnage World Tour.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Jeff Hanneman, Kerry King, Dave Lombardo, Tom Araya

Photo Credit: Mark Seliger; used with permission

Slayer was nominated for a Grammy this year and has been making music for the better part of the last 30 years.

Dave Lombardo at The Pass studio in Los Angeles, recording "World Painted Blood" released in 2009.

Photo Credit: Andrew Stuart; used with permission

I spoke with Dave Lombardo of Slayer on May 14.

The Sacramento Press: So you’ve been in the professional music scene for a long time. I’m sitting here with my original LP copy of "Show No Mercy" in cherry condition, as well as my original LP copy of "Reign in Blood." Looking back on the early days, how has Slayer transformed?

DL: We have our own sound. It has a distinct signature. Some bands take much longer to achieve this.  We did it by our second album.

SP: After the Reign in Pain tour in ’86, you left the band, got married, and had some time off before returning in ’87. You left again in ’92 and had a child, then explored a number of different directions, ultimately returning to Slayer in 2002. How have things been since your return?

DL: I returned in 2002.  Actually, it was the end of 2001; long time, almost 10 years.  Things are excellent.  We haven't split since.  This is the longest we've stayed together. If you consider from 1982-83 to 1986, and again in 1991, we've stuck it out this long even with all the trials, tribulations and bs.  We haven't had any deaths like Metallica.  Really, things are great.

SP: In addition to Slayer, you’ve played for Testament, subbed for Lars when Metallica was on tour, and even recently recorded a cover of Stand By Me with Lemmy Kilmister from Motorhead. Is there anyone left out there in the world of rock royalty who you’d like to play or record with?

DL: Jimmy Page.  Plain and simple.  I just want to jam with him.

SP: Has your rig changed? Are you still using Tama and Paiste, or have you taken on any new sponsors?

DL: Where did that question come from? I'm with Ddrum now.  There's a new product coming forward.  I'm excited, they're really excited.  Mostly the same elsewhere though.  Still with Paiste cymbals.  I added Monster Energy.  Those guys are great.  And Volcom clothing.  We've done some stuff together including a snowboarding video, some skateboarding stuff, and even the song with Lemmy.

SP: You’re known as the Godfather of the double bass. Do you ever reflect on greatness and mastery? And what do you think of that title?

DL: I like greatness and mastery.  It's a nice title to have, but I don't feel it.  I just do what I love to do.  Besides, if I'm the godfather of double bass, then there has to be a father, right? Who would that be? I didn't invent it.  It was probably Cream.  My brother would play it all the time.  It had to be the great jazz guys.

SP: I like to say that the measure of a man is rooted in how he is remembered by those who don’t know him. You’ve influenced so many drummers and musicians over the past 30 years. What is the one thing you would say has kept the fire alive and driven your passion to play hard all these years?

DL: I love what I do.  I'm subconsciously tapped in. Adrenaline is in my brain, or in my body. There's an endorphin rush, and long spurts of injected chemistry extremes. It puts me in the zone. I play like a 20 year old, and I'm 45 now.

SP: There’s a lot of talk about your girlfriend and her rock royalty roots. Has any of that rubbed off on you, and have you likewise influenced her musically?

DL: I've had a lot of changes in my life.  She's a great lady.  She has inspired me to do what makes me happy.  She gives me the freedom to go on tour, to do interviews, films, and my drum project.

SP: Going back to the beginning for a moment, Show No Mercy was every bit the reason why I wanted to play the drums, and every reason why my parents wouldn’t let me. People say you’re an animal, the wildest of skinsmen. How would you describe yourself in action?

DL: I feel better than ever. I'm enjoying it more than ever. I feel like I'm 18 again when I'm on stage.

SP: It’s been said that you find yourself having gone into trance-like states at times when you play, so every performance is actually unique. When you see video or hear recordings of your performances, can you relate to where you were in your head, or what you were thinking and feeling? Have you ever been able to recreate one of those moments on stage?

DL: About those trance moments, I can't describe what I feel.  It's like I'm not there.  The drummer of War is a good friend, and he says I'm a monster.  When I see those moments played back, I know it's me, but when I watch I say, what the hell was that?  It's very strange.  You'd have to sit behind me to get it.

SP: On perhaps a weird note, if you had to lose an appendage, which would it be and why? (Van Halen said he would give up his right pinky for various reasons).

DL: Wow, that question actually makes me cringe!  I can't lose anything.  Everything is vital.  It's a part of balance.  Drumming is balancing.  Ask Rick Allen, the drummer from Def Leppard.

SP: I’ve seen some references out there about jazz being one of your influences. Is that correct? People seem to both admire that and take it with a grain of salt. Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden once said something about jazz as an influence and that Iron Maiden’s then new album would sound like cosmic jazz. Fans were not sure what that meant. When it was released however, we all heard what their form of jazz was, it was spatial and awesome, and it was nothing like old standards. What is jazz to you, and how does it show up in your music?

DL: Jazz is show up and jam music.  Elvin Jones, Art Blakey.  Buddy Rich.  Jazz is improvisation.  It gets heavy.  Metal drummers can't do it too often.  It's about feeling the performance, being in the element.  You have to feel, not just play speed metal.  It's like Louis Armstrong said, if it ain't got that swing, it don't mean a thing.  Slayer music is jazz, it's swing, it moves.

SP: What can fans count on from you on the American Carnage tour?

DL: A pummeling. They're going to get pummeled!

Dave Lombardo, live
Courtesy of Slayer

LEFT TO RIGHT: Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman, Tom Araya, Dave Lombardo

Photo Credit: Mark Seliger; used with permission

Tickets are $39.50 advance, $45 day of show. All tickets are general admission. Show time is 7 p.m. Parking is $12. Gates open at 5, doors at 6 p.m. Information on tickets and tour dates available at Arco Arena Box Office, Ticketmaster, Live Nation, Slayer, Megadeth, and Testament websites.