As BLABBERMOUTH.NET exclusively reported on March 14, it has now been made official that MEGADETH has hired drummer Chris Adler (LAMB OF GOD) to play on the band’s new album.

MEGADETH has released the following official statement announcing the collaboration:

Dave Mustaine, the creative driving force behind original American metal and hard rock crossover giants MEGADETH, and Chris Adler, drummer for the leaders of modern American heavy metal LAMB OF GOD, will join original bassist David Ellefson in the creation of MEGADETH‘s anticipated forthcoming album. Adler will be appearing as a guest on the album and contributing his thundering, hard-hitting, and technically precise style and skill, adding new blood and drive into the mix while staying true to MEGADETH‘s roots.”

In a 2006 interview with Xplosive Metal, Adler confirmed that MEGADETH was the band that made him want to start drumming to begin with. He said: “Definitely. For me and my brother [LAMB OF GOD guitarist Willie Adler], that’s the band that made us wake up to heavy metal and made us become who we are today. And now to be able to sit down and have lunch with Dave Mustaine and tell him that story and have him talk about what he likes about LAMB OF GOD, it’s pretty big for me.”

In addition to Mustaine, Adler and bassist David Ellefson, the recording lineup for MEGADETH‘s new album is rumored to include Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with ANGRA.

MEGADETH has yet to announce permanent replacements for drummer Shawn Drover and guitarist Chris Broderick, who quit the group last year.

The band was still finalizing the recording lineup for its new album earlier in the month, with Mustaine tweeting on March 10 that he was “excited to be auditioning one of my final picks for my new guitarist today.”

Drover quit MEGADETH on November 25, 2014 “to pursue [his] own musical interests.” His statement can be found at this location. Guitarist Chris Broderick announced his departure from MEGADETH a few hours later, saying that he was exiting the group “due to artistic and musical differences.”

Fonte: Blabbermouth.net