SLAYER drum tornado Dave Lombardo spoke with Obi-Dan from Geeksofdoom.com recently about a number of topics. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Geeks of Doom: Earlier this year Jeff Hanneman (Slayer guitarist) had to leave the band temporarily after contracting (flesh-eating bug) necrotising fasciitis. How is Jeff now?

Dave Lombardo: "Jeff is doing much better. He’s still recovering. He played two songs at the Big Four (Jeff joined Slayer for the two-song encore in Indio, CA on April 23) …you know it was great, he went out there, he kicked ass! But he still needs a lot more recovery. He needs to work a lot more on that arm, so he’s still in recovery."

Geeks of Doom: While Jeff was out you had Gary Holt (EXODUS) and Pat O’Brien (CANNIBAL CORPSE) covering for some shows. What were those shows like?

Dave Lombardo: "Well, it was a little odd having a different guitar player on stage. But they did a really, really good job in helping us out. They really stepped up. They did their homework, especially Pat O’Brien. Pat O’Brien came in kind of at the last minute because obviously Gary had to do some shows in South America with Exodus that he had committed to. But we were really undecided on who we were going to get so time was just ticking away and we had to make a decision. So we called Pat in and he only had a certain amount of time to learn all the songs so he worked so hard, that guy. Gary as well, but Gary had a little more time. I just remember on the European tour that Pat O’Brien just…sat in the dressing room (and) he sometimes didn’t get a hotel room, just sat in the dressing room and just kicked ass! He learned everything and did everything perfect. He was a little hard on himself because he wanted everything to be, in his eyes, absolutely perfect and I didn’t hear anything that he did wrong. Nothing. He’s a perfectionist, like most of us are, and (musicians) are never happy with their own performances. We’re very critical but that just makes us who we are. But he did an amazing job, and Gary did as well."

Geeks of Doom: That’s good. Are there any plans for a new Slayer album?

Dave Lombardo: "Yes absolutely. Although there’s nothing written but there is definitely plans. Of course. We have to! Why not?! (laughs) I’m not retiring and I don’t think Kerry’s retiring either so… Charlie Watts (ROLLING STONES drummer) is somebody I look up to and for someone to be on those drums for as long as he’s been up there then I’m on my way! I’m right behind him, man! (laughs) I’m one of those guys. I like longevity and a true musician never abandons his art."

Read the entire interview here.