Cody’s Top 10: Metal Drummers Pt. 2
The 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 it. So, I have decided to create a second version of my top 10 drummers list, this time featuring an all underground cast of players. These drummers may have appeared in mainstream bands, but their names will appear to be relatively unknown to the average metal fan.
10. Frost (1349, Keep of Kalessin, Satyricon, Zykon-B, Gorgoroth)
Pure speed. Frost is the quintessential black metal drummer, and has resume supports that. What more is needed?
9. Rick Colaluca (Watchtower)
Much like Sean Reinert, Rick from progressive thrash legends Watchtower, really hasn’t had the opportunity for a storied career. His work with Watchtower is really remarkable, but unfortunately after their demise, Rick fell into obscurity.
8. Romain Goulon (Necrophagist, Arsebleed, Agressor)
Another original death metal drummer who is beginning to peak out amongst drummer aficionados, and for good reason. Romain’s work in Necrophagist and the lesser known Agressor is really excellent.
7. Marco Pitruzella (Brain Drill, Vital Remains, The Faceless, Vile, Vornagar)
When I first heard Marco on Brain Drill’s debut record, I was blown away. This guy is the future of grindcore and brutal death metal. I mean, really, watch this video. I really have nothing more to say which can’t be visualized.
6. David Gray (Akercocke, The Berzerker)
While technically a black/death metal stylist, David Gray demonstrates his diverse chops in the the very diverse and demanding style that Akercocke plays which can best be described as avant garde black/death metal. David is extremely talent and extremely under appreciated. Being an original drummer in extreme metal is rarer than many people realize.
5. Anders Johansson (Hammerfall, Johannson, Yngwie Malmsteen, Planet Alliance, Silver Mountain)
One of the most respected and diverse drummers in the scene today. Anders to me, is like the Dan Swano of drums. He is a long time drummer for Hammerfall, but seeks out new and challenging metal and non-metal projects (as shown in the video clip).
4. Martin Lopez (Opeth)
Opeth are a well known band with plenty of respect in the metal community, but drummer Martin Lopez, recently replaced by Martin Axenrot was a lesser publicized element of the band. However, his unwavering skill, especially in the drum fill department, really hlped up the level of technical proficiency of Opeth for almost a decade. Mikael himself in the video mentions how important drums are to Opeth.
3. Aquiles Priester (Angra, Paul Di’Anno, Almah)
Possibly the least known drummer on this list in America, but possibly one of the best. Known mostly for his work in Brazilian power metal outfit Angra, Aquiles is the premier speed metal/power metal style drummer with incredibly accurate chops and amazing double bass. In every song he plays on, it’s almost solo caliber. Very impressive and completely under-appreciated.
2. Sean Reinert (Cynic, Death, Gordian Knot, Aghora, Anomaly)
If Cynic had become a household name long ago, I fully believe that Sean Reinert would be much more well known in the metal and rock community. His jazz influenced drumming is what made Cynic great in the past and present, and his work with Gordian Knot can’t be ignored.
1. Proscriptor (Absu, Melechesh, Judas Iscariot)
The most technically proficient metal drummer today, including all of black metal and death metal. This is one guy I wish I had included in my first list, because I have never heard a man play as fast and as accurate as he does. Oh, and did I mention he is also the vocalist in Absu?
CODY
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Comments
Comment from cody
Time: June 10, 2009, 12:00 am
Sick vid man, good find!
Comment from Tim
Time: June 11, 2009, 9:58 am
I like how Brann Dailor isn’t on either list. WTF haha
Comment from Tim
Time: June 11, 2009, 10:01 am
For the record: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CGuwr1v08o&feature=related
Wait for a second, it’s megalodon which is a pretty incredible song
Comment from coled24
Time: June 23, 2009, 1:34 pm
So is this like an addition to the first list or a completely new one. All of these are great but I think guys like Brann Dailor, Tomas Haake, and Inferno cannot be ignored.
Comment from Tim
Time: June 24, 2009, 1:23 pm
Inferno is dirtyyyyyd
Comment from cody
Time: June 24, 2009, 8:25 pm
Cole – Its kind of a new one, I wanted to focus on lesser known drummers.
Comment from coled24
Time: June 25, 2009, 12:11 am
Connie Pettersson of the band Anata is also an INCREDIBLE drummer. No live footage I can find but this is a fucking phenomenal track off an even better album, The Conductor’s Departure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhGwuhFx9Sc
Comment from coled24
Time: June 25, 2009, 12:17 am
and just because I cannot get enough of this album, this another great song, Better Grieved Than Fooled, off that Anata album
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dWBN0KSyU8&feature=related
Comment from WhitneyWinter
Time: July 7, 2009, 4:40 am
Okayy.. I agree with every name on this list.. But one person is missing. Slipknot’s Joey Jordison.
Comment from coled24
Time: July 8, 2009, 11:54 am
Joey Jordison isn’t as good as everyone says he is. For an american drummer in a mainstream band, he is proficient but he’s not a step above the rest. Chris Adler, Dave Lombardo and Brann Dailor would be my top 3 choices (not in that order) for best well known American metal drummers. However, on a list of American Metal Drummers (well known or not), Joey Jordison wouldn’t make my top 10. Sean Reinert, Proscriptor, Gene Hoglan, the names i already mentioned and many other drummers use more creativity than Joey. I think Joey is a good musician and producer but I think his fame is attributed to the fact that Slipknot is huge and his style of drumming is way more diverse and explosive when compared to your mainstream hard rock, nu metal and mainstream metal (Lars Ulrich…ugh). But amongst his peers in the world of metal, his talents are respectable, not extraordinary.
Comment from Sean mitchell
Time: July 22, 2009, 7:32 pm
George kollias? Derek Roddy?
Comment from Benz
Time: August 7, 2009, 6:26 pm
I second Sean mitchell. Nile should definately be on one of the lists. Or both. ^^
Comment from Toumb
Time: September 25, 2009, 5:44 pm
First of all, Gorge Kollias is greek (I’m proud being greek too!) Well, the place #10 for Frost was just… terrible. He should be at least in 4rth place. And don’t forget Inferno! The Hellish-Minigun.
Comment from popo
Time: November 26, 2009, 10:37 pm
were the fuck is Shannon Lucas?
Comment from Hammergod
Time: December 20, 2009, 1:16 pm
Joey jordison is a very talented drummer..his dedication on music,his contribution to other metal bands(metallica,system of down,3inches blood,satyricon etc) I respect that dude.. And creativity? Drumming upside down and rotating? Whats not creative bout that?? O.o
Comment from CARTER
Time: December 21, 2009, 3:40 pm
thats called a gimmick, not creativity. fuckin.. tommy lee did it in like 1987 who cares? id rather hear creative drumming, i dont care about someone doing it upside down.
Comment from Eduardo Nero Hardy
Time: December 28, 2009, 1:09 am
WHT?? that’s a SHIT
joey jordinson is the best
he’s make the best drumm solo ever
Comment from mephistopeheian
Time: January 15, 2010, 3:54 am
music is not juz about speed and intensity….joey jordison may be lightning fast…but Dave Lombardo and Chris Adler are far more better!! the way Lombardo rolls….and switches between slow and fast tempo..is simply awesome!!! No matter how fast Joey plays…he can never beet the skills of Lombardo!!!
Comment from mephistopeheian
Time: January 15, 2010, 3:55 am
*beat 
Comment from Justin
Time: January 15, 2010, 11:42 pm
Once again, where is Inferno (Behemoth)? He’s one of the top 5 death metal drummers, if not definately top 10.
Comment from tommy shelby
Time: January 25, 2010, 1:23 pm
dont forget bout the roots of all these guys vinnie paul from pantera nicko mcbrain from maiden they all mention these cats when asked who inspired ‘em
Comment from Tim
Time: January 27, 2010, 11:37 am
Here since this is the underground list: Brian Harvey, Pig Destroyer. I know it’s not technically metal in that it’s Grindcore and mostly hardcore influence vs. other grindcore but still…his work on Terrorizer, Prowler in the Yard, and Phantom Limb cannot be ignored.
Comment from Eman
Time: February 8, 2010, 9:27 pm
Alexandre Pelletier of Despised Icon is absolutely brutal!!! New album Days of Mourning is fuckin awsome…
Comment from Tim
Time: June 9, 2009, 7:21 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jBuZJM7stc&feature=related
BAM