Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia, formed in 1994 as Burn the Priest by bassist John Campbell, drummer Chris Adler, and guitarist Mark Morton at Virginia Commonwealth University. Vocalist Randy Blythe joined soon after, with guitarist Willie Adler added later; the band changed its name to Lamb of God in 1999 to reflect lineup shifts and broader appeal. Drummer Art Cruz replaced Chris Adler in 2019. The band's style blends groove metal, thrash, and death metal influences, characterized by aggressive riffs, complex rhythms, and Blythe's intense vocals. Key albums include the 1999 Burn the Priest debut, followed by New American Gospel (2000), As the Palaces Burn (2003), and Ashes of the Wake (2004), which established their role in the new wave of American heavy metal. They signed with Epic Records in 2004. Lamb of God is known for high-energy live performances featuring precise instrumentation and crowd engagement through breakdowns and mosh pits.