Top 20 Drummers in Metal

Ok so drummers.  Like I said before they are the heart beat of the band.  Without them there wouldn't be a band.  I mean come on if you have a few guys standing on stage head banging to a sample machine or mixer it just isn't going to work right.  So a well rounded drummer is an essential part of a good metal band.  These guys have everything it takes to be a great drummer in metal.  Some aren't necessarily in the metal genre but like I said I think those guys could do a lot more than what their type of music allows.  I have been drumming since I can remember and again wish I could play half as well as these guys.  It takes so much stamina and strength to be a good metal drummer.  With their relentless double bass attacking, their tom fills, blast beats, and over-all speed above any genre of music out there when it comes to drumming.  So here is my list of top 20 drummers in metal.

1. Tomas Haake - Meshuggah

  2. Neil Pert - Rush

 

3. Raymond Herrera - fear Factory

4. Martin Lopez - Opeth

5. Lars Ulrich - Metallica

6. Brann Dailor - Mastodon

7. Hellhammer - Dimmu Borgir/Emperor/Immortal/Mahem

8. Mario Duplantier - Gojira

9. Vinnie Paul - Pantera/Hellyeah

10. Danny Carrey - Tool

11. John Bonham - Led Zeppelin

12. Gavin Harrison - Porcupine Tree



13. Gene Hoglan - Dark Angel/Death/Dethklok/Strapping Young Lad/Fear Factory

14. Dave Lombardo - Slayer

15. Chris Adler - Lamb of God

16. Nick Barker - Cradle of Filth/Brujeria/Dimmu Borgir



17. Tim Yeung - Divine Heresy/Nile

18. Robert "Inferno" Prominski - Behemoth

19. Joey Jordinson - Slipknot

20. Mike Portnoy - Dream Theater

Now there they are.  The top 20 drummers in Metal.  Like i've said before I put guys like John Bonham, Neil Pert, and Gavin Harrison because either those guys paved the way for a lot of heavy musics drumming, or could play any style of drumming, and they choose to do the style they are in.  I love the drums and know how much strength it takes to play for hours like these guys do all day every day.  It takes an utmost commitment to do what these guys do and some of these guys just blow my mind with their amazing skill on the skins.  Again the drums are the heart beat of the band and without a good drummer you won't have a good basis for a metal band.  So until next time.  Next is singers and thats going to be hard because there are so many different styles of Metal its going to be hard to say one of my top 20 is better than the others.  So see you on the next one.

I wanted to put some videos that capture some of these drummers amazing skills so here are a few.  Enjoy!

Joey Jordinson - live solo (truely amazing what he does when the set goes sideways)

Gene Hoglan - This is from his instr. video highly recommend (With his own comintary.  This guy is crazy)

 

Gavin Harrison - He has major soul when he plays (The cymbal fill towards the end is awsome)