Descending from blues, metal drumming is linked to the aggressive style. Strong beats and a powerful tone would make a particular landmark while talking about drums in metal. The drum sets are also more complex, containing almost twice as much additions (two bass drums, for example) as a regular setup. Such approach requires great physicality, energy, and stamina. to keep up with the rhythm. The overall intensity of the drums truly revealed great talents and people of exquisite skills. This list targets these musicians. A RankTopTen list about top metal drummers.
If you clicked on this chart, then you are probably familiar with metal music and all its branches. All of metal subgenres have someone who could challenge for the top spot in this list of the best metal drummers. You probably know bands like Slipknot, Avenged Sevenfold, Lamb of God, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Slayer. Well, cheer up! This list contains masters of the drum from all of those listed above and many more else. Actually, named bands are only a 5th part of the whole chart. So there would be no problem for you to find your favorite contestant and vote for him!
Would that be Joey Jordison of Slipknot and KoRn, or The Rev from Avenged Sevenfold? The choice is very difficult, we know that. That’s the point!
Who are your best metal drummers of all time? Roam our list, study the candidates and make your choice, while writing comments about the drummer you pick, so there could be no doubts why that particular guy deserves the top spot.
1
Jimmy The Rev Sullivan (Avenged Sevenfold)
James Owen Sullivan, more known as The Rev, was the member of Avenged Sevenfold and one of the best metal drummers in the world, he also was playing piano, singing, and composing songs. The Rev learned to play drums at age 10. This incredibly talented man died in 2009.
Inspiring for the short time
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2
Danny Carey (Tool)
Tool is fortunate enough to have Danny Carey as a member of the band. He is one of top metal drummers of the world, but his main activity does not prevent him from engagement in many other side projects. Danny Carey stands out of other drummers because of his original approach to playing drums.
3
Dave Lombardo (Slayer, Testament)
Dave Lombardo is included in the list of the best metal drummers of all time. His contribution to the popularity of Slayer and Testament bands is invaluable. Many drummers admit that he was the one who had the greatest impact on them. The musician became famous due to his uniquely fast and aggressive style of play.
4
Joey Jordison (Slipknot)
A lot of metal fans consider Joey Jordison as the best of the best metal drummers of all time. He is a devotee of heavy music since early childhood. The musician had been an indispensable member of the band Slipknot during many years until faced with severe disease of the spinal cord, but Joey was able to defeat it.
5
Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden)
6
Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment)
This talented man repeatedly headed the list of “the best metal drummers of the year.” He also writes song lyrics. Metal fans know him as a member and co-founder of Dream Theater band, as well he founded Liquid Tension Experiment, which was his side-project. He held high positions in various ratings and received prestigious awards.
7
Chris Adler (Lamb of God)
Chris Adler, a member of Lamb of God, has a full right to be the first in the list of best metal drummers of all time. This man does not afraid to face difficulties. His first drum setup was arranged improperly, and this caused some problems for the drummer during performances, as well he, being left-handed, uses a standard drum setup. As we can see, obstacles do not matter for true professionals.
8
Vinnie Paul (Pantera)
Vinnie Paul is a real representative of the best metal drummers of all time. He was the member and co-founder of Pantera band. The musician highly appreciates quality sound, his manner of playing is flowing, but at the same time powerful and fast. Vinnie was sick with gout but continued to play despite the pain.
9
John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
10
Bill Ward (Black Sabbath)
11
Neil Pert (Rush)
12
Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
In 2009, “Drum!” magazine named him the best of top metal drummers. There is no metal fan who could not know about Lars Ulrich, a member and co-founder of Metallica band. His manner of play is extremely diverse. The musician decided to be a drummer when he was a child, but his father wanted him to have a career of a tennis player. Fortunately, he still devoted himself to music.
13
Jukka Nevalainen (Nightwish)
14
Gene Holgan (Death, Dark Angel, Testament, Dethklok, Strapping Young Lad)
Gene Hoglan is a remarkable figure among the best metal drummers because of his high-tech drum play, which retains extraordinary precision regardless of tempo. He cooperated with of such bands as Death, Dark Angel, Strapping Young Lad and even with fictional death-metal band Dethklok from the cartoon Metalocalypse. Now he is a permanent member of Testament band.
15
George Kollias (Nile)
George Kollias for sure can be in the number of top metal drummers because he not only perfected his drum play but also invented a special technique, which made him a very prominent person in the music space. George Kollias is a teacher at the Modern Music School in Athens. He became famous for his work with Nile.
16
John Dolmayan (System Of a Down)
17
Nick Menza (Megadeth)
18
Brann Dailor (Mastodon)
19
Charlie Benante (Anthrax, Stormtroopers of Death)
20
Scott Travis (Judas Priest)
21
Tomas Haake (Meshuggah)
22
Casey Grillo (Kamelot)
23
Matt Garstka (Animals as Leaders)
24
Matt Cameron (Soundgarden)
25
Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy)
26
Francesco "Scythe" Paoli (Fleshgod Apocalypse)
27
Pete Sandoval (Morbid Angel, Terrorizer)
28
Ariën van Weesenbeek (Epica)
29
Mike Mangini
30
Shawn Drover (Megadeth)
31
Mikkey Dee (Motorhead, Helloween, King Diamond, Dokken)
32
Mike Terrana (Rage, Yngwie Malmsteen, Masterplan,Metalium, Tarja, etc)
Jimmy The Rev Sullivan (Avenged Sevenfold)
James Owen Sullivan, more known as The Rev, was the member of Avenged Sevenfold and one of the best metal drummers in the world, he also was playing piano, singing, and composing songs. The Rev learned to play drums at age 10. This incredibly talented man died in 2009.