I present this Tuesday another reason for you all to tell me how much I suck and how I don’t know anything. Exploring my favorite metal drummers you have to realize this is a personal list of my favorites. I’m not rating on skill or impact, just simply the drummers I enjoy watching on stage, and in some cases their personality off stage.
10 – Jimmy DeGrasso: Megadeth/The Worshyp – Jimmy was one of the very first people I talked to in the metal industry when we were getting We Love Metal started. He was gracious and offered us a bone when very few would. Aside from that, the man was behind the kit for Megadeth and recently recorded the drums for a new The Worshyp album: Evil Abounds.
9 – Shawn Drover: Megadeth – There are a couple of reasons Shawn made the list. He is behind two of my favorite Megadeth albums in United Abominations and Endgame; and he is a fellow Canadian that along with his brother Glen have risen to the top of the metal game. Shawn has one of the coolest kits in the world and I love how big he makes everything look.
8 – Chad Smith: Red Hot Chilli Peppers/Chickenfoot – Chad wasn’t really on my radar until Heavy Metal Momma did a piece on him leading up to our Chickenfoot coverage. The guy is nuts behind the skins and really appears to be having a great time. Although he might not be considered a metal drummer if you saw him beating those bastards you would change your assumption.
7 – Dave Lombardo: Slayer/Testament – just naming the bands he has played in should be enough reason to have him on the list. His work in Slayer defined a generation of death metal drummers and out of sheer respect he needed to be on the list.
6 – Shannon Lucas: All That Remains/Black Dahlia Murder – Shannon was a true gentleman in interview and drove the point home that he wants to be remembered for his techincal work in BDM, not the metalcore of All That Remains. Shannon Lucas is true metal.
5 – Bill Ward: Black Sabbath – Should be be higher on the list? Likely! But Ward has always been a bit elusive for me. He is the founder of modern metal drums and deserves ultimate respect, but his addiction issues plagued his entire career. That might be the case for many musicians and I except that. It’s just that Ward always blamed the road and the music; not the true cause.
4 – Joey Jordison: Slipknot/Murderdolls – I am a huge Jordison fan from Murderdolls and I respected his work in Slipkot. Now I love watching his Slipknot work because the guy invents so many different styles and puts his passion for music on display no matter what stage or band he is playing for.
3 – Vinny Appice: Black Sabbath/Dio/Heaven & Hell – If you can look at those massive drums on swivels hanging to the side of Vinny and not like him than you have something wrong. His work in all three of these bands is written about time and time again. Appice was a very close friend of Dio and the last album he recorded as Heaven & Hell is an instant classic.
2 – Tommy Lee: Motley Crue – Tommy is like a kid and his drum kit is the playground. His energy and ability to keep going when most humans would be dead is a big reason he is this high on the list. My love of Motley and Tommy’s infectious energy make him one of my all time favorites.
1 – Nicko McBrain: Iron Maiden – Even when you can’t see his face behind that massive kit, you know Nicko is steering the ship that is Iron Maiden. This guy has a a legendary technique and attitude that is metal from start to finish. He is a true legend and the drummer I most enjoy watching and learning about.
Metal on,
Martell
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Dave Lombardo is by far the best on the list. Bill Ward & Nicko arw probably the worst two..
Great list…I know how hard it is to cut it down to only 10. The only one that is missing in my opinion is Gene Hoglan. I have never seen a drummer play metal with such authority, innovation and creativity. *Not to mention that he can do it all with boots and ankle weights on!*
I’m not a huge fan of Bill Ward, but he does deserve his due. Nicko’s catalogue speaks for itself really.
Jason I almost put Gene on there, but he just fell of my radar screen a bit. I agree though very creative and beats the skins like they owe him money.
I hope Deathmetal drummer won’t loose their breathe on Speedmetal. lol \m/