Vio-Lence guitarist Phil Demmel has revealed that he was prepared to step in as a “bullpen” guitarist for Lamb of God's Mark Morton or Willie Adler since last summer. During an interview with Blabbermouth, he said, “They had approached me before their Megadeth States tour last summer and wanted me to learn both parts, Mark Morton and Willie's, just in case one got sick, they didn't want to cancel their tour. That's where I am: I'm their bullpen guy when one of them can't make the shows, I'm ready to go.”
He continued, “It's such a high-profile band. I didn't want to go out there and blow it. I wanted the band to sound good. I wanted to keep that pride in what they are and not have a drop-off. Willie and I play differently. There's different vibrato in our left-hand and pinkies. I didn't want there to be a drop-off. I wanted people to be not-bummed that he wasn't there. And that's not a slag on Willie. If I went to see one of my favorite bands, let's say Queensryche. I want to see Chris DeGarmo, I want to see Michael Wilton. No slight against the other dudes, but they better f*cking bring it if they're not going to be out there.”