Cody’s Top 10: Heavy Metal Drummers!
1 is the best!
Honorable Mentions
Yoshiki Hayashi (X Japan)
Chris Adler (Lamb of God)
10. Snowy Shaw (Dream Evil, Therion, King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Memento Mori, Cans)
Snowy who? Yup, most folks in America don’t know who the fuck he is mainly because of his lack of participation in bands that tour in the states, however, Snowy is one of the most sought after drummers and producers in Europe. Also known for taking a minimalist approach to his drumming, Snowy employs maximum sound in his fills and solos without the use of exceedingly large sets.
9. Thomas Stauch (Blind Guardian)
One of the purveyors of orientating speed metal drumming into the power metal sound, Stauch is often an unsung hero despite having a large influence in creating the backbone of power metal.
8. Derek Roddy (Hate Eternal, Nile Malevolent Creation)
One of the best death metal drummers of the today, but this video here shows he has technical chops outside of the technical speed of death metal.
7. Gil Sharone (The Dillinger Escape Plan)
As a result of a newfound popularity for Dillinger, and a resentment from many in the metal community about the tag Dillinger is given of metalcore, Gil Sharone’s incredible, jazzy style of metal is often overlooked, but in reality, Gil probably sports the best fills in all of metal. Truly an under appreciated drummer who will be recognized soon enough for his talents.
6. Tomas Haake (Meshuggah)
Known the world over for his specialty in the use of polyrhythms, Tomas is arguably one of the greatest odd time signature drummers in the world. Employing his niche brand of drumming in the band Meshuggah, his trademark sound is the centerpiece for the group, and definitely what gives the band its popularity. I am not the biggest fan of Meshuggah, but no one can argue the talents of Tomas.
5. Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy)
Hands down, the best death metal drummer ever, with a fantastic jazz style that goes beyond the straight, blast beat and breakdown style that so many extreme drummers are known for these days.
4. Gene Hoglan (Death Angel, Death, Dethklok, Strapping Young Lad, Zimmer’s Hole, Old Man’s Child, Testament, Unearth, Meldrum, Opeth [played in the Grand Conjuration video], Devin Townsend)
His nickname is The Atomic Clock…does this give you any idea of what this guy is about? Known as one of the tightest and fastest drummers in all of metal, Gene has also manufactured some of the most creative beats for the umpteen many bands he has played with over the years. It’s no wonder why every band in the known universe wants this guy to play with them because its almost a guarantee he can do whatever they are dishing out!
3. Dave Lombardo (Slayer, Testament, John Zorn, Apocalyptica, Fantomas, Grip Inc, Voodoocult)
Dave Lombardo, original and current drummer for legendary bay area thrashers Slayer, Dave is known for a fast, yet chaotic style that supports the equally chaotic guitar work of Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Despite Dave’s involvement in Slayer, he has taken part in many projects including a jam session with jazz fusion artists John Zorn.
2. Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment)
Quite simply, the best progressive metal/rock drummer on the planet, and probably the most recognizable metal drummer today because of his mainstream acceptance as not only a fine metal drummer, but as a great drummer…period.
1. Mike Terrana (Rage, Savage Circus, Axel Rudi Pell, Metalium, Tarja, Gamma Ray, Yngwie Malmsteen, Masterplan)
Controversial decision? Probably, but only because Mike Terrana is virtually unheard of by even die hard fans, yet he has played with some of the most technically proficient metal bands on the planet. Mike is probably best known as the drummer on some of the most prolific Rage albums ever recorded including Soundchaser and Welcome to the Other Side. The reason why I pick Mike is purely because of his originality in his compositions. I have rarely heard a drummer that sounds like Mike, nor have I heard many drummers with the technical tools he possesses. His solos are by far the most listenable and entertaining I have heard out of any metal drummer too. Here’s another early video of Mike’s from a double bass instructional video.
CODY
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Comments
Comment from cody
Time: August 17, 2008, 10:06 am
Marco Minnemann is good, but I haven’t heard enough of his stuff to make a judgment call on him yet. I have heard his stuff from Necrophagist, but that alone I don’t believe warrants being in the top 10. However, once I get more exposure to Ephel Duath which I, for some reason, haven’t checked out frequently, my opinion may change. Gavin Harrison is a damn good drummer, but he plays in Porcupine Tree, which I don’t really consider metal. I did consider him for this though.
Comment from CARTER
Time: August 18, 2008, 9:40 am
Yeah.. Gavin’s not a metal drummer.
WHAT ABOUT JOEY JORDISON WTF OMG LOL
Comment from CARTER
Time: August 18, 2008, 9:43 am
I would have liked to see Daniel Erlandsson as an honorable mention, that guy is incredibly tight – a la Chris Adler (I prefer Erlandsson) – Also Brenn Dailor from Mastadon is pretty crazy, he’s got a unique style, and Dirk Verbeuren of Soilwork/One Way Mirror is an incredible drummer too. Even the guy he replaced, Henry Ranta in soilwork was nutso.
Comment from Person
Time: August 19, 2008, 5:24 pm
WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!? NO JOEY JORDISON?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Comment from CARTER
Time: August 20, 2008, 2:12 pm
This is a TOP ten list.
Comment from coled24
Time: August 26, 2008, 7:59 pm
Another guy who deserves to be on here is Frost from Satyricon, 1349 and Carpathian Forest. While he’s not doing anything really off the wall, the guy is tight and plays as fast as anyone.
Comment from CARTER
Time: August 28, 2008, 3:31 pm
Show’er the ropes
Comment from Shtave
Time: September 5, 2008, 10:53 am
wah i want my vitek -.-
Comment from Hilton
Time: September 16, 2008, 2:07 am
Fuck Joey Jordison, he can suck eggs, He’s never as good as Dave Culross, Tony Loreno, Mike Smith, Derrick Roddy or Richard Christy. You have a good list here dude, but I think that you should add some these amazing death metal drummers to it.
Comment from kill
Time: September 16, 2008, 10:05 am
what about Dave Culross from Malevolent Creation, Pete the feet from Morbid Angel, Tim the missile from Hate Eternal? They deserve to be here as well, maybe you should make a top 20 or 30 list in no order.
Pingback from If You Haven’t Heard Absu, You Haven’t Heard Shit | All Metal Resource
Time: December 2, 2008, 7:17 pm
[...] like no other, and that is Absu. Containing the drummer Proscriptor who was painfully left off my top 10 metal drummers article (how could I fucking forget Proscriptor! ARGH!), who, in my mind, is the best black metal [...]
Comment from CARTER
Time: December 3, 2008, 6:00 pm
That dude Stef Broks from Textures is insanely good as well. He kinda takes the Haake school of drumming and puts a more thrash/death feel to it.
Comment from Matt
Time: December 30, 2008, 6:40 am
Im not saying this is a bad list, but in my non-professional opinion, where the hell r joey jordison, mike wengren and lars ulrich?
Drums4life.net (might not exist but i typed it coz im bored)
Comment from cody
Time: December 31, 2008, 12:21 am
Matt – Lars Ulrich isn’t even a top 50 drummer in metal or any other genre of music. Joey Jordison is good, but not top 10 good, and Mike Wengren is the drummer for Disturbed…I need not say anymore.
Comment from coled24
Time: December 31, 2008, 7:05 pm
Haha. Lars.
Comment from Jacoob
Time: January 21, 2009, 2:50 pm
Jordison sucks……Wheres Richard Christy??!!!
Comment from coled24
Time: January 22, 2009, 12:41 am
Good call. Richard Christy is nasty.
Comment from fresh
Time: January 22, 2009, 1:49 am
John Longstreth???
Comment from Tim
Time: January 31, 2009, 3:17 am
George Kolias of Nile.
Comment from Chris
Time: February 8, 2009, 7:19 pm
NICE LIST!!!Definitly glad to see Lars isn’t up their.Don’t get me wrong Lars was a beast from Kill ‘Em All to …And justice for all and was ok on The Black Album but since then he hasn’t impressed me one bit.Also I have never heard an album with drumming as awful as St.Anger.It sounds like he’s playing with pots and pans on that thing.Joey is overrated as hell.He’s kind of quick but can’t touch any of the best heavy metal drummers.The only things that I would do is replace Snowy Shaw with Chris Adler and remove the hack drummer from X-Japan(Yoshiki Hayashi) from the list entirely,even Joey is better than that ass-clown.I would actually make Lars an honorable mention.Even though he’s a dick and he’s fallen off really hard as I said earlier.He was a BEAST from Kill ‘Em All – …And Justice for All.Glad to see no Nu-Metal drummer.But wish I could see more Death Metal drummers.I would make Bill Ward and Lars my honorable mentions and add Chris Adler to the top 10 to replace Yokashi and Snowy Shaw.That’s it.So awsome list.
Comment from Nikhil Singh
Time: February 27, 2009, 7:20 am
You guys are so stuck with the usuals. No-one can take Dave Suzuki’s (Vital Remains) spot at number 1 on the real list check some of his stuff out. He also plays the guitar, bass and does Backing Vocals.
Comment from cody
Time: February 27, 2009, 8:23 pm
The usuals? lol Show few an me a best of list that contains even half the bands I added to this. Vital Remains is an awesome band, but the drums don’t really stand out from the pack from other death metal drummers. This is the reason why you don’t see many death metal drummers on this list because finding death metal drummers with personality who don’t rely on triggers to sound ultra fast are becoming few and far between unfortunately.
Comment from derka
Time: March 2, 2009, 10:41 pm
I’m suprised Martin Lopez didn’t make it. I know he still isn’t in Opeth but his beats were amazing. Latin, jazz and death metal, that’s a good combination.
Comment from Joey jordison is a god
Time: March 13, 2009, 8:57 am
This is so0o not right!!! J0EY J0RDISON not on the list.. Are u kidding me?!! He is the FASTEST HEAVY METAL DRUMMER ALIVE IN HISTORY! Put him on the List!
Comment from Dave
Time: April 4, 2009, 12:50 pm
I hereby nonimate: Martin “Axe” Axenrot (Opeth, Bloodbath) for the most powerful and tasteful drumming, Sean Reinert (Cynic, Death, Aghora) for recording “Human” with 19 and now being that absolutely untouchable drummer somewhere between metal and fusion, Peter Wildoer (Darkane, now in Pestilence) for the best jazzy fills and John Longstreth (Origin) for tearing any other grindcore drummer to shreds.
Comment from cody
Time: April 4, 2009, 6:58 pm
Dave – Some very nice choices there my friend. thanks!
Pingback from Cody’s Top 10: Metal Drummers Pt. 2 | All Metal Resource
Time: June 8, 2009, 10:51 pm
[...] last edition featuring my top 10 drummers was popular amongst readers and still gets a healthy amount of traffic a few months after I posted [...]
Comment from DJ Mekkah
Time: June 19, 2009, 5:45 am
what about Jan Axel “Hellhammer” Blomberg? look at the band line up (Age of Silence, Antestor, Arcturus, Carnivora, Circle of Chaos, Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, Fleurety, Immortal, The Kovenant, Jørn Lande, Mayhem, Mezzerschmitt, Mortem, Mysticum, Shining, Thorns, Tritonus, Troll, Ulver, Umoral, Vidsyn, Winds)
Comment from sean san diego
Time: June 21, 2009, 5:37 pm
What about Bobby Jarzombek ?
Comment from Aaron leming
Time: July 3, 2009, 3:54 pm
You forgot about As Blood Runs Black, White Chapel, and Born Of Osiris. These guys are easily top 3
Comment from coled24
Time: July 4, 2009, 10:24 am
First off, to the guy with the Joey Jordison is god name…. please stop talking.
Secondly to mr. Aaron leming here… all 3 of those bands suck and just have very boring, not-creative, super fast and most likely production helped shitty drums. i’ve seen Born Of Osiris and they’re fucking terrible.
Comment from sdfasdf333
Time: July 10, 2009, 10:36 pm
WHERE IS JORG MICHAEL??????????
STRATOVARIUS
Comment from prawns
Time: July 13, 2009, 5:56 pm
Just so we’re all clear and that nobody gets trolled again (hopefully), *nobody* is serious about Joey Jordison being in the top 10. I know sarcasm is hard to get across on the Internet, but please. That’s just obvious.
Comment from Will
Time: July 15, 2009, 10:24 am
Where’s Danny Carey? The man’s a machine!
Comment from Cons
Time: July 28, 2009, 12:37 am
Why?????Joey Jordison is not included??????the drummer of slipknot??????
Comment from shruti
Time: August 22, 2009, 11:48 am
some real great picks… \m/
Comment from Toumb
Time: September 25, 2009, 5:33 pm
Well, some of the greatest worth reminding metal drummers are, Inferno from Behemoth, Frost from Satyricon and Hellhammer from Mayhem. Inferno’s blasts and double pedals are like bullets… Frost from the other side is very technically good drummer, yet very fast.And Hellhammer is Hellhammer. One of the best.
To all those maggots shouting like being thrashed to death “OMG WTF WHERE IS JOEY JORDISON!??!?!” please shut the fuck up.
Comment from Toumb
Time: September 25, 2009, 5:35 pm
…and of course they 3 worth to be on the top 10…
Comment from Taylor Baumeier
Time: October 25, 2009, 7:01 pm
nick pierce. ex the faceless, currently in a washington progressive death metal band, eterna nocturna. blastbeatshaman on youtube, one of the best fucking drummers i’ve ever seen in my life. not all too fond of full acrylic kits, but he rocks the shit outta one.
Comment from andraxxus
Time: November 3, 2009, 8:58 pm
My top 3 list is:
#1 george kollias of Nile (listen to: Nile’s Ithyphallic and Annihilation Of The Wicked albums)
#2 Inferno of Behemoth (two songs: Slaves shall serve, and Slaying the Prophets Ov Isa)
#3 Hellhammer of Mayhem (side note: Dimmu Borgir – The Chosen Legacy 3:05-3:15>> Shit!!?! Was that twin pedal??)
Comment from Swikar Thapa
Time: November 11, 2009, 12:38 am
Lamb of god is the best . I like the drummer the most. it most be the top one
Comment from Kill
Time: November 20, 2009, 3:27 am
Please shut the fuck up about shitsnot. Joey Jordison is the most over rated drummer in the metal scene, who ever says he should be on the list is totally uneducated in the metal scene. Guys like George Kollias, Hellhammer, Dave Culross, Tony Loreno, Mike Smith,Igor Cavalera (my list could go on) were playing in the top bands when Joey Was still in nappies. Even Joey knows he’s not the best. And by the way, who ever says he’s the fastest should be shot!
Comment from Dino
Time: November 25, 2009, 4:29 pm
glad to finaly see the drumer from Blind Guardian get SOME recognition. Defenently good list but I am surprised nobody talked about Bobby Jarzonbek, if you dont know him look up Spastic Ink, best progressive metal drumming in my book. Also the drumer from Beneath the Massacre is prety dope.
Comment from DEADWALKER
Time: November 26, 2009, 11:37 am
wtf!!!!! where the hell is Chris Adler (Lamb of God)????? thats not fair!!!!!!!!! he deserve to be in da top 5!
Comment from DEADWALKER
Time: November 26, 2009, 11:45 am
and pray tell me where’s Pawel Jaroszewicz of Vader???? Dont give me some fuckin stupid excuse pls………..Chris Adler and Pawel Jaroszewicz are great too though not da greatest!!!!!!! they deserve a spot on top………..and i cant see Joey Jordisson too??????????????????????????????? Gimme some meaningful excuse, dude!
Comment from DEADWALKER
Time: November 26, 2009, 11:51 am
Thomas Stauch sux!
Comment from DEADWALKER
Time: November 26, 2009, 11:53 am
Where da hell is Frost(1349)???? i am surprised at your top tens, Cody!
Comment from cody
Time: November 27, 2009, 4:24 pm
Deadwalker – 1. Frost is overrated, fast doesn’t always equal good 2. Stauch could outplay Frost any day of the week 3. Pawel is good, but one of the best? Not quite.
Comment from Kill
Time: November 30, 2009, 6:58 am
Dave Culross will smoke Chris Adler
Comment from SEAN
Time: November 30, 2009, 9:26 am
MATT ‘SKITZ’ SANDERS FROM AUSSIE METAL BAND DAMAGED , BLOODUSTER ETC….GO THE AUSSIES.
Comment from CARTER
Time: November 30, 2009, 4:24 pm
Chris Adler is all studio magic. Have you ever heard him live? he’s nowhere near as tight.
Comment from CARTER
Time: November 30, 2009, 4:35 pm
Vitek, if he were alive would take Adler to school in a brutal Drum-Off
Comment from Damian
Time: December 2, 2009, 8:07 pm
Fuck those devil worshipers like Joey Jordison Lars Ulrich is the best and should be number one. Metallica practically made thrash metal.
Comment from perry
Time: December 3, 2009, 9:56 am
what about Ted Kirkpatrick from the band Tourniquet whom was compard to the fab four of thrash metall so y isnt he on the top drummers list or the one armed drummer from defleppad !!
Comment from CARTER
Time: December 3, 2009, 11:35 am
LOL @ Damian
Comment from Tim
Time: December 3, 2009, 7:37 pm
Lars is probably one of the worst drummers of all time who headlined a big name band. Simple as that.
Comment from CARTER
Time: December 4, 2009, 2:43 pm
Yeah, he’s progressively gotten worse and worse too, which makes no sense.
Comment from Kill
Time: December 7, 2009, 3:36 am
Perry, even Jayson Sherlock from Mortification ruled the Christian metal scene along with Ted Kirkpatrick. I think it probably comes down to your favourite drummers. But if you had to select a top 10 list it would probably be, Richard Christy , Gene Hoglin, Pete Sandoval, Dave Culross, Tony Loreno, Derrick Roddy, George Kolias, Flo from Cryptopsy, Tim the missile and The guy from Decapitated.
Comment from CARTER
Time: December 7, 2009, 11:37 am
yeah. that song invisible control by decapitated is awesome.. all their shit is though.. RIP Vitek
Comment from Kill
Time: December 8, 2009, 5:58 am
Yeah man. RIP Vitek.
Comment from Aaron
Time: December 12, 2009, 12:59 pm
Why is Behemoth Black dahlia murder or jon rice not in this shit??? u post speed drummers and NOT take this??? behemoth’s double bass is the fastest ive heard so far.
Comment from Kill
Time: December 17, 2009, 6:21 am
Aaron, Yeah, Behemoth rule bro, There is another drummer that rips. His double bass does fly, his blasts too. Amazing control. The drumming on those guys level is such an art, its no more just drumming, its perfection.
Comment from J
Time: January 9, 2010, 1:56 am
no Pete Sandoval?
Comment from Justin
Time: January 12, 2010, 3:44 am
What about Inferno from Behemoth? He’s pretty much the best ever. I just saw Behemoth in concert the other day, and I’ve hear very few drummers reproduce even their own work in concert.
Comment from Justin
Time: January 12, 2010, 3:54 am
@ andraxxus, That was a triple bass pedal on Dimmu Borgir – The Chosen Legacy 3:06-3:19. Triple bass pedals can be very impressive if used correctly, as Hellhammer demonstrated in that music time frame.
Comment from dude
Time: January 25, 2010, 3:23 pm
where is lars ulrich?
Comment from Tim
Time: January 27, 2010, 12:32 am
lars is terrible. So he’s not on here.
Comment from coled24
Time: August 15, 2008, 9:23 am
No Marco Minnemann? No Gavin Harrison?