Favorite metal drummer?

[thatguykalem]

Justin Foley from Killswitch Engage

[MisterMixelpix]

Kolias is good for speed and brutality, but he doesn't put down the most interesting or creative beats.

You obviously have never listened to Nile. George's creativity is outrageous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXINemV8E_0 Yeah, not creative at all.

[toddy]

people who think that george isn't creative annoys me. i normally don't take much notice of what people say (to each their own, etc), but talk like that is really disrespectful. the song at the start of his DVD is brilliant, so fun to play too..

[MisterMixelpix]

I readily accept that many of my favorite metal drummers aren't creative. Listen to Brain Drill, for example. That stuff isn't exactly technical wizardry, but it's BLAZINGLY fast and heavy as all hell so I love it.

George, however, is easily amongst the most creative metal drummers.

[toddy]

yeah. lord marco is cool though. i found his dvd was alright for a brief watch, just to watch his finger technique. there is creativity in all types of music. there are creative players in all types of music.

[MisterMixelpix]

Marco is intense, no doubt. He's a great case, though, of someone who isn't overly creative but is INCREDIBLY technically adept. There are videos of him blasting at 300bpm with no problems whatsoever. I do kinda want his DVD, too. And the guy that took over for him, he's no slouch either!

[toddy]

yeah faceless new drummer is pretty tight man. in fact faceless in general is really fun to play (especially stuff of akeldama such as leica, etc). yeah marcos dvd's alright man, its not like overly impressive, but he does give some general ideas about grind/core drumming. he is very tight though, which is probably the best thing about him!

if you're into faceless etc then check out sons of aurelius, they're dope.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6xzOVAWpcs

[MisterMixelpix]

Actually I meant the new Brain Drill drummer. Check it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnTJ7cdgM0g&NR=1

And whoa. I'll have to look more into that Sons of Aurelius band.

[toddy]

oh man i didn't even know that had a new drummer. if i'm honest i don't really like it that much man. it's not something i'd listen to. i'll listen to necrophagist and stuff, but brain drill just doesn't do it for me for some reason.

i'm mainly playing stuff like this atm - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8sVXo82V3I
it's easy to play, but shannon lucas has awesome technique. his posture is always really good, especially during the double bass in the chorus.

[MisterMixelpix]

Oh yeah, Lucas is pretty excellent.

And I understand about Brain Drill. They're kinda the apex of technical death, and if that whole genre of wankery doesn't do it for ya then BD is totally not going to be enjoyable for you. In fairness, though, that video doesn't do the song justice at ALL.

Listen to it here: myspace.com/braindrill

[toddy]

yeah i knew that the video wouldn't be what it actually sounds like on an album heh, i'll check it in a bit man, need to go rinse nocturnal. nice speaking to you! later.

[MisterMixelpix]

Def! Take it easy, man!

[Robbie_frazer]

blake richardson (between the buried and me)
matt greiner (august burns red)
justin foley (killswitch)
moe carlson (protest the hero)

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

that's a shame, you probably could have learn't alot from the genre and improved as a musician if you weren't as close minded. just like i have learn't alot from listening to pop music.


Pretty much my take on it Toddy, well said.

My metal days are resigned to the 80's.......I was a school boy metal-head in terms of listening to Iron Maiden, Judas Priest. Metallica, Slayer and Venom.....I know, I know.....a few of you younger guys are ROFL, but at the time....that was as hard as it got.

The point is I never actually played the genre, yet managed to take a heap of ideas away from the styles and creativity presented by the drummers of the bands I was listening to at the time (Burr, McBrain, Lombardo etc etc....hell people even thought Lars was a pioneer back then!!). Same applies today. The day we stop developing ideas and trying to learn (regardless of the genre), is the day we stagnate as musicians. After all, if the drummer is playing something we think is cool.......why not try to adapt and develop that idea to our own musical tastes?

Love your take on this. Listening to all styles of drumming will surely help you garnish a better feel and more elaborate ideas in your playing. No matter what your preferred style of music happens to be.

[Frost]

Daniel Liljekvist of Katatonia has always been one of my favourite metal drummers, he's an extraordinary under-rated drummer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhs-DSuUpYA

As far as your typical speed and blasting go, John Longstreth is inhuman, one of the few drummers who can blast at 300bpm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taFQUbhpuWA

[Thaard]

Daniel Liljekvist of Katatonia has always been one of my favourite metal drummers, he's an extraordinary under-rated drummer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhs-DSuUpYA

I saw Katatonia warming up for Porcupine Tree here in Oslo. I didn't really like them imo. Anyways: Tomas Haake, Bobby Jarzombek, Marco Minnemann(when he played for Necrophagist), Sebastian Lanser(of Panzerballett), Travis Orbin and Morgan Ågren(on Sol Niger within).

[Frost]

I saw Katatonia warming up for Porcupine Tree here in Oslo. I didn't really like them imo. Anyways: Tomas Haake, Bobby Jarzombek, Marco Minnemann(when he played for Necrophagist), Sebastian Lanser(of Panzerballett), Travis Orbin and Morgan Ågren(on Sol Niger within).

Katatonia are an extraordinary band, their style of rock is pretty unique to them, it doesn't fit gothic rock, it doesn't fit metal, they have a very unique sound and have kept it and refined it over the years.

[JT1]

I saw Katatonia warming up for Porcupine Tree here in Oslo. I didn't really like them imo. Anyways: Tomas Haake, Bobby Jarzombek, Marco Minnemann(when he played for Necrophagist), Sebastian Lanser(of Panzerballett), Travis Orbin and Morgan Ågren(on Sol Niger within).

Nice list there Thaard, some awesome names in there.

I would say Martin Lopez, Raymond Herrera, Tomas Haake, Chris Adler and Scott Travis are my favourites.

[Hedon]

Daniel Liljekvist of Katatonia has always been one of my favourite metal drummers, he's an extraordinary under-rated drummer.

this

listen to the drumming in the song rusted
really awesome stuff
(cant see what you posted, youtube wont run for some reason)

[Frost]

this

listen to the drumming in the song rusted
really awesome stuff
(cant see what you posted, youtube wont run for some reason)

Try this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeBDJ02f16Q

[Hedon]

Try this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeBDJ02f16Q

nah dude its not that SPECIFIC youtube wouldnt run, the site itself just gives me the web error messege when i try to run it
=(
what are these 2 songs you posted?

edit: what the hell now it is working
yeah awesome songs. longest year is one of my favorites from the new album, and ghost got some pretty intense drumming going

[Fiery]

Though he might not be my absolute most favouritest metal drummer, I think that Benny Larsson from Edge of Sanity never got enough props. He played death metal (though quite melodic) with a single kick drum and great groove, feel and dynamics. For example, listen to his drumming on the song-album-epic Crimson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9i-jaMaEpo&fmt=18&annotation_id=annotation_565906&feature=iv

[Dreaded Skull]

My Fav.

Dave McClain - Machine Head

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=NWks-8C9RMs

Igor Cavalera - Sepultura / Cavalera Conspiracy

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=K5x8yRjXUqE

Chris Adler - Lamb of God

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=oqdZpxkzNvc


Roy Mayorga - Ex- Soulfly / Stone Sour

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=eswTDabn1Zc

[Dreaded Skull]

Oh ya, I forgot 1

Ray Luzier - KoRn

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=EZmx-qvhUu0

[JT1]

Though he might not be my absolute most favouritest metal drummer, I think that Benny Larsson from Edge of Sanity never got enough props. He played death metal (though quite melodic) with a single kick drum and great groove, feel and dynamics. For example, listen to his drumming on the song-album-epic Crimson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9i-jaMaEpo&fmt=18&annotation_id=annotation_565906&feature=iv

Very good, sounds better than any of your generic death metal bands, I really like it, might actually buy the album do you know if it is readily available at somewhere like HMV? Thanks for opening my eyes to a great band.

[Frost]

Though he might not be my absolute most favouritest metal drummer, I think that Benny Larsson from Edge of Sanity never got enough props. He played death metal (though quite melodic) with a single kick drum and great groove, feel and dynamics. For example, listen to his drumming on the song-album-epic Crimson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9i-jaMaEpo&fmt=18&annotation_id=annotation_565906&feature=iv

Dan Swano drummed on the second Crimson album. Dan recorded all five instruments on it. Another example of Dan's drumming is Resurrection through carnage by Bloodbath.

Crimson is an interesting album, there is a cello and Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth also lent some vocals and leads to the album, it's definitely one of the better Edge of Sanity albums and one of the more progressive death metal works, if you like Crimson and haven't heard it already I would check out Morningrise by Opeth.

[MisterMixelpix]

Jon Rice from Job for a Cowboy. Was at a show last night and he KILLED it.

[Pollyanna]

Chronological order:

Ron Bushy: Inagaddadvita (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGmkM4v9AaY)

Bill Ward: War Pigs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtqy4DTHGqg)

John Bonham: The Immigrant Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlNhD0oS5pk)

Ian Paice: Fireball (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp_V-MCkSpE)

Roger Taylor: Great King Rat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2ZxV7wul8A)

Bill Bruford: Larks Tongues In Aspic Pt II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pEkiBTX9Bs)

Danny Carey: 46 and 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og-6ewDlksM)

Brad Wilk: Killing in the Name (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkuOAY-S6OY)

[Fiery]

Very good, sounds better than any of your generic death metal bands, I really like it, might actually buy the album do you know if it is readily available at somewhere like HMV? Thanks for opening my eyes to a great band.
Being a fairly old release by a fairly small independent record label, I think the best choice would be to buy it directly from the label:
http://www.blackmark.net/gbp/list.asp?ID=45

Dan Swano drummed on the second Crimson album. Dan recorded all five instruments on it. Another example of Dan's drumming is Resurrection through carnage by Bloodbath.

Crimson is an interesting album, there is a cello and Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth also lent some vocals and leads to the album, it's definitely one of the better Edge of Sanity albums and one of the more progressive death metal works, if you like Crimson and haven't heard it already I would check out Morningrise by Opeth.
Yes, Dan Swano is a very accomplished multi-instrumentalist and producer. You might like his solo album Moontower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moontower) if you haven't heard it already. He played all the instruments and performed all vocals, as well as doing all the recording, mixing and production duties. As far as Swano's drumming goes, one of my favourite albums with him behind the kit is Tonight's Decision by Katatonia. Still, I think that Benny Larsson's work with Edge of Sanity was much better than Swano's effort on Crimson II.

I'm quite familiar with the whole Opeth discography and Morningrise is indeed very good though not my favourite album by them.

[shadowlorde]

gene hoglan, aquiles priester, inferno (behemoth), roddy, kollias, steve flyn (atheist), richard christy,

[Frost]

Being a fairly old release by a fairly small independent record label, I think the best choice would be to buy it directly from the label:
http://www.blackmark.net/gbp/list.asp?ID=45


Yes, Dan Swano is a very accomplished multi-instrumentalist and producer. You might like his solo album Moontower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moontower) if you haven't heard it already. He played all the instruments and performed all vocals, as well as doing all the recording, mixing and production duties. As far as Swano's drumming goes, one of my favourite albums with him behind the kit is Tonight's Decision by Katatonia. Still, I think that Benny Larsson's work with Edge of Sanity was much better than Swano's effort on Crimson II.

I'm quite familiar with the whole Opeth discography and Morningrise is indeed very good though not my favourite album by them.

I'd rate Morningrise second after Damnation, Morningrise has a very unique sound, the softer elements have nothing in common with 70's prog unlike later Opeth works, the tracks were also long with jazzy drum and bass parts, the bass on Advent is sounds fantastic.

Good call on Tonights Decision, I forgot about that transition period between Daniel and Jonas behind the kit. Dan's solo album Moontower was fantastic.

Back on Katatonia (more specifically Jonas Renske on drums), if anyone in this thread has never heard Grey Dawn by October tide you must check it out, the best example you will ever hear of 4/4 moderate tempo drumming in metal.

[verdugo_123]

...i rather like chriStiAn DrummErs.....

I like Rolf Wam Fjell of hillsong....playing with mind,strength and pure heart

[verdugo_123]

...i rather like chriStiAn DrummErs.....

I like Rolf Wam Fjell of hillsong....playing with mind,strength and pure heart

also Jojo Mayer,Luke Munns,Mitch Farmer,and Joey Jordison...

[Music is Awesome]

My favorite are Joey Jordison, George Kollias, Chris Adler, Jordan Mancino, and of course Dave Lambardo

[Pkaneps]

I love Vinnie Paul, especially on Domination.
But Tim Alexander of Primus is my pick.

[Jeff_F]

I dont know if I'd call Tim Alexander a "metal" drummer but shit I love his playing so why not.

In no particular order I'm going for...

Danny Carey
Chris Pennie
Thomas Haake
Gavin Harrison
Bill Bruford
Vinnie Paul (I am from Dallas after all)

edit: Cant forget Igor Cavelera

[Pkaneps]

Yeah, I don't really know what to call Primus.

Funk Metal?

[Fuo]

Yeah, I don't really know what to call Primus.

Funk Metal?

Primus is its own genre... at least it is in Winamp.

[azrae1l]

i'll cast my vote for pete sandoval, george kollias & greg gall. not the greatest drummers for sure but the feel they give the music ... damn! they just blend so damn well with the rest of the band and they really breathe life into the music not just a backing rhythm. i honestly don't think any of their respective bands would be as good with any other drummer.......

[ccsimms]

If you haven't heard Haake, you haven't heard metal drumming.
Anyways some of my other favs for metal are:
Jon Karel
Chris Pennie
Derek Roddy
Mario Duplantier

Any other 'associated acts' of those bands are definitely likely to have some badass drumming.

[theuberklaw666]

Matt Nicholls, and James Cassells.

[spantney]

Jason Bowld, Matt Greiner, Chris Adler and Jason Bittner are at the top of my list!

[andSometimesY]

Heck, Vinnie Colaiuta played on a Megadeth album, so can I vote for him? haha

Joking aside, I would say Bill Ward is my favorite "classic metal" drummer

As for modern metal"
1. Danny Carey-Tool
2. Blake Richardson- Between the Buried and Me
3. Mario DuPlantier- Gojira
4. Tomas Haake- Meshuggah
5. Sean Reinert- Cynic

[metal overlord]

Nic Ritter of Warbringer.
Amazing

[danbrogan]

My favorite drummers are dave lombardo, paul bostaph (listen to first five seconds of killing fields, you'll know why) darren minter (heathen not overly technical but it is respectable) Charlie Benante is another good drummer, nick menza is another good drummer too. I am sure there are better drummers in other realms of metal, but thrash and nu metal is basically what i listen to, death to me is just not that good of a genre

[BuddyBeaufordGaddNeil]

Nikko Mcbrain???????

[Mandala]

Blake Richardson of Between The Buried And Me without a doubt.
So underrated. It's a damn shame too, especially when people are sitting here giving props to drummers just because they can play fast. As fellow drummers, of all people you should know that speed isn't everything when it comes to drumming. EVEN metal drumming. In fact, it's hardly important I'd say. In a genre saturated with the same old crap, creativity is more recognizable than anything else I'd say. Also, don't forget what a drummer does, he helps create a groove. If there's a noticeable groove in metal, something is being done right.
Blake encompasses all this. Hell, I hardly even like metal but I see it.
Obviously this is only my subjective opinion.

[madidus]

This guy's pretty good

[J.Richardson]

There are many excellent metal drummers of course. But I think that Derek Roddy is by far the most interesting, creative and musical metal drummers out there at the moment.

[jamest]

This guy's pretty good

Ha! Very good, no doubt the best metal drummer i've ever seen!
__________________

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going!"

http://www.excellent-offers.com/gravy1.jpg

[Andrewski]

I might be a few weeks late on this from the last post, but Giuseppe Capolupo from Once Nothing is probably the most influential drummer on my style as far as metal goes. He's got killer groove, plays incredibly in the pocket to be in such a "tech" genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2T3hwaz4y0
Best video that gets up close on him - also check out The Intimidator.

[Frost]

For those who haven't heard Aaron Harris of Isis... massive influence on me. Phenomenal drummer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2HRzP7gCeo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm7PnUvqyAs

[Max Crespo]

Matt Greiner(August Burns Red) Very Talented and extremely fast is a human metronome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVYLhS2y2gs

Matt Nicholls(Bring Me The Horizon) Super Super Clever
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx9VvnYnxwY

Adam Gray(Texas In July) Similar Style to Greiner and also does some crazy stick tricks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToEXMrSTOEM

[Hellwyck]

Nikko Mcbrain???????
Is he like Nicko McBrain?


At least spell the man's name right?

[moontheloon]

For those who haven't heard Aaron Harris of Isis... massive influence on me. Phenomenal drummer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2HRzP7gCeo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm7PnUvqyAs

great call......love Aaron and Isis

they will be missed

[Piccolo549]

Chris Adler
Derek Roddy
George Kollias
Tim Waterson(not really metal)
Danny Carey
Flo Mounier
Trey Williams
Gene Hoglan
mario duplantier
Vitek
Mike Smith
Hannes Grossmann
Brann Dailor
John Merryman
Lars Ulrich (I might get crap for this)

Yeah that's all i can think of at the moment

[Pollyanna]

This guy's pretty good

So is this guy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U0wGPi1zXw

[Scopata]

Fave metal drummer(s) would have to be:
John Dolmayan (If you call him metal)
Chris Adler

[Ian Williams]

This man is a - drumming beast: Gene Hoglan.

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/genehoglanatomicclocktrailer.html

[NPYYZ]

Stian Kristoffersen - Pagan's Mind.

[JazzHands]

I guess I've already answered this in the death metal thread, but I think Mike Smith of Suffocation is a beast. Simple and solid on Effigy of the Forgotten, more fluid and technical on Pierced from Within, you can really hear how he grows through the discography. I think he was 16 or 17 on the debut.

I'll give it up for Gene Hoglan as well. A legendary patriarch of death metal drumming.

[Frost]

Since someone already resurrected this I'm just wondering if anyone else is a fan of Dirk Verbeuren.

I'm not a massive death metal fan, but the guy is a monster.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NQ_gHXpYzw

I couldn't find a clear video of his hands alternating between standard and hammer blasts at high speed but that that's quite difficult to do cleanly. He does it a lot on Aborted's albums.

[TakenHigherByU]

Matt Greiner from August Burns Red--dudes insane, enough said
and
"Yogi" Watts from Demon Hunter--very fluid, intense but also reserved when need be

[skipperdipper]

Mario Duplantier from Gojira is my favourite drummer by far. Thomas Hakkes is prety dope too. I think Mario is too underrated for how well he plays, he deserves more credit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVyk5nnRee0

[Lovetadraw]

As long as it's favorites and not who we think is 'best', I'll say Jukka Nevalainen (Nightwish) and The Rev (A7X).

[Astonluke]

Charlie Benante is my all-time favourite metal drummer http://www.iconsoffright.com/Anthrax/Charlie_Benante.jpg

[janny]

Jimmy is my all time favorite drummer; He is wonderful with his drum stick.

[bobwright]

I don't mind this Tomas Haake fella.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMo5VxRrgcY

[<(' . '<)]

Jordison, The Rev, Yogi Watts

[Anthony Amodeo]

Seth Rheam from East Of The Wall

[SticksEasy]

Christoph Schneider of Rammstein is my favorite Metal guy.

I'm not really into Metal anymore, but when I was teen ager I was obsessed with Rammstein. Schneider's drumming is simple, but so driving and effective. If anyone doubts his drumming ability, listen to his pre-Rammstein work, and their newest album Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da. He really cuts loose on the songs from that album.

[zarrdoss]

Charlie Benante is my all-time favourite metal drummer http://www.iconsoffright.com/Anthrax/Charlie_Benante.jpg

+1 to that Dave Lombardo, Vinnie Paul are all close but in the end its Charlie, and a hell of a nice guy to boot.

[ktz]

Nothing, NOBODY, will ever match Ben Koller.

I'll link one of the rare (maybe the only one I've found) videos where he makes a mistake:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEJfPvwitZI

[rcdocumentary2013]

Randy Castillo was the best, in my opinion!!!

[Kelly!]

Travis Orbin, drummer for Sky Eats Airplane and early Periphery stuff. He's mostly a session drummer now and has has over 100 youtube videos of his work. Crazy, imaginative double bass and polyrhythms that are out of this world. Listening to him makes me want to give up LOL yet at the same time inspires me to improve and tighten my drumming.

It's also a blast figuring out and playing anything James cassells does.

Also, check out Travis Orbins drum set up! One of the strangest setups I've ever seen.

[SuziSpooks]

Christoph "Doom" Schneider from Rammstein and James Owen Sullivan 'The Rev' from Avenged Sevenfold. :D

[Drum-El]

I'm a big fan of Shannon Lucas in the metal world. Watching these guys play un-edited is what does it for me.

[marko138]

Favorite? Vinnie Paul Abbott.

Chris Adler is way up there. Blake Richardson too.

[sonortony35]

Honestly, Justin Foley from Killswitch Engage for me. He just plays so musically, not all speed and flash. I get the feeling that he could play any style of music you threw at him not just the genera his band is.

[marko138]

Honestly, Justin Foley from Killswitch Engage for me. He just plays so musically, not all speed and flash. I get the feeling that he could play any style of music you threw at him not just the genera his band is.

Justin is great. I saw him, well 2 weeks ago with KSE, but 2 summers ago with Unearth. He sounded great playing Unearth's stuff. I really like his style too.

[percussionsensei]

Mine's gotta be Jon Karel of The Number Twelve Looks Like You. I feel he is definitely one of the more musical and exressive metal drummers, and his incorporation of polyrhythms, diff time signatures, and diff. styles into metal are unique and inspiring (to me at least).

Here's one of his songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcEbNfHJbOc

Here's some of his more soloistic stuff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9mBq9RPBhI

[JerryOnDrums]

Matt Garstka- the new drummer for the insane tech-prog group, "Animals as Leaders". This guy is really great at playing forcefully, yet relaxed. Nice approach, nice feel. Check it:

(skip the first 30 seconds or so): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6xHEO-bfSI&feature=youtu.be

[muzz]

Matt Garstka- the new drummer for the insane tech-prog group, "Animals as Leaders". This guy is really great at playing forcefully, yet relaxed. Nice approach, nice feel. Check it:

(skip the first 30 seconds or so): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6xHEO-bfSI&feature=youtu.be

Not a fan of that "Cymbal" sound, they sound more like trash cans....kinda like how I feel about most Giant Beats I've heard.
He's got some skills though that's for sure.

[Special Defect]

All of my absolute favorite drummers to have played in the metal genre didn't limit themselves to it so anyway they're Donati, Agren, Lang, Coluita, Carey, Reinert, Jarzombek and Seth Davis who played with Exhorder. I could probably list about a dozen others I hold in a special regard / as above anyone else I'm aware of but those are the names that immediately come to mind.