The former White Zombie and Testament drummer has confirmed his departure after two decades and four studio albums with The Cult.
John Tempesta has left The Cult after 20 years, ending a run that saw the veteran drummer become a fixture of the band’s live line-up and contribute to four studio albums.
Tempesta announced his departure on Instagram on Saturday, 7 November, thanking fans for their support and reflecting on two decades of shows, experiences and memories.
He offered no explanation for the split, but his statement was positive about what comes next. Tempesta said he was looking forward to playing music again and seeing where his next chapter takes him, signing off with well wishes for his former bandmates.
From Thrash Metal To The Cult
Tempesta joined The Cult in February 2006, although he was hardly a newcomer to the business.
By then, he’d already built an extensive résumé behind the kit, playing with Exodus, Testament, White Zombie and Rob Zombie. His credits included White Zombie’s influential 1995 album Astro-Creep: 2000.
That background made him a formidable addition to The Cult, whose sound demanded a different approach from the thrash and industrial metal that had defined much of his earlier career.
Tempesta went on to record four studio albums with the band: Born into This (2007), Choice of Weapon (2012), Hidden City (2016) and Under the Midnight Sun (2022).
Speaking to Modern Drummer in 2012, he discussed the understanding he’d developed with his bandmates after six years together, including the process of adapting his playing to older songs and new material.
Twenty years later, his departure leaves The Cult without a drummer who had been part of the band’s recording and touring line-up for much of its modern history.
Who Will Replace John Tempesta?
The timing also presents a practical question for The Cult, who are scheduled to support A Perfect Circle across North America in 2027.
According to Pollstar, the band is due to join the tour at Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway on 27 April, with dates continuing through to Phoenix on 13 June.
Who will occupy Tempesta’s drum stool remains to be seen. At the time of writing, The Cult had not publicly named a replacement or announced changes to their scheduled performances.
Tempesta hasn’t revealed his next move, but retirement doesn’t appear to be on the cards. After 20 years with The Cult, he’s already looking towards getting back behind the kit in 2027.
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