You like drumming and now need a list of names for entertaining yourself, don't you? Here is the time saver, a list of drummers, of new generation, you (shall) need to know (later) and need to watch. Well, why I write this article is because I always enjoy watching and listen to drum virtuoso. This simple list is to keep my personal favorite of drummer who I came across in recent years while doing review in this Metal Harem blog.
Be warned, the list is an unconventional one, I have make a wide room for newcomer, mean, well under God's mercy, dismissed the like of
John Bonham,
Terry Bozio,
Neil Peart,
Steve Smith, as well,
Lars Ulrich (hmm... he is that popular you know!) ,
Nicko McBrain,
Charlie Benante,
Dave Lombardo,
Dean Castronovo and all their cyborg-friends. Here we go,..
Of course I will need to keep
Mike Portnoy, to fit the storyline! Mike is well busy post Dream Theater era. He recorded in
Adrenaline Mob (metal), help
Neal Morse (progressive rock),
Flying Colors (Hard Rock) and the latest
the Winery Dogs (hard rock), as well as jamming with many other (Tony MacAlpine, Derek Sherinian etc.)
The Seven Samurai of Dream Theater Auditioners
The list of seven drummers auditioned for Dream Theater as Mike's replacement. I enjoy watching their audition documentary so I like to begin with the list with them.
Mike Mangini (born 1963)
The winner,Professor of drum and percussion in Berklee Boston. Played in Annihilator, Extreme, Steve Vai. He was the original drummer to Steve Vai's complexes composition on
Bangkok, Jibbom and
The Fire Garden suite (Fire Garden album). Interestingly, Virgil Donati covered some of his works when Virgil toured with Steve Vai's. Dream Theater may be Mike's second full time job as permanent drummer since his Annihilator days.
Virgil Donati (born 1958)
My favorite Virgil moment was when he in Steve Vai band. The Steve Vai Live in Astoria DVD put everything about him. Very versatile, jamming-based drummer, improvisational guru. But then, he is also theoretically not very fit to Dream Theater strict academy of beat. His other important band was Planet X, a progressive metal jamming band with Tony MacAlpine and Derek Sherinian.
Thomas Lang (born 1967)
The Arnold Schwarzenegger of drum! Austrian he is. Come from the same city of Mozart. He is also multi instrumentalist and his works are mostly serious one (jazz, instrumental pop etc). Really can't see him travelling as band crew with Dream Theater around the world.
Marco Minnemann (born 1970)
(Kreator, Necrophagist), best smile behind the drum. Worked with Paul Gilbert also and quite a session-ed drummer he is. Not too busy maybe, he was always surprised us with his name keep pop out in the line up list. Example? Such as with
Julia Kosterova,
George Bellas and the latest with the Aristocrats (Guthrie Govan and Bryan Beller).
Aquilles Priester (born 1971)
But he is a damn good drummer. You just haven't get into Angra yet. He played in Angra, Vinnie Moore, Hangar and the latest rumour is in new superband Midas Fate with Mike DiMeo in vocals.
Peter Wildoer (born 1974)
New rising star in drumming. His major staying is in Sweden death metal band Darkane. He is hired in James LaBrie band, Grimmark, Armageddon and Arch Enemy.
Derek Roddy (born 1972)
The true drum rōnin without attached to one particularly band. His best known band is Nile, Hate Eternal, Serpent Rise and others.
Personal List of Metal Drummers
Rod Morgenstein (born April 19, 1953)
One of great drummer of our time! Now not every drummer must started their days with progressive stuff, Rod simply grow bigger by playing in '80 glam metal band, Winger. He was well close with progressive scene later, playing in Dixie Dreggs and actually close to Dream Theater members. Come to think, it will be interesting to saw Rod Morgenstein auditioning for Mike Portnoy position as well. The Jelly Jam (Dream Theater's John Myung on bass and King's X guitarist/vox Ty Tabor), The Steve Morse Band and Rudess/Morgenstein Project were part of his resume.
Gregg Bissonette, (born June 9, 1959)
Although he was more popular as David Lee Roth, Joe Satriani, and Steve Vai drummer, my personal moment of Gregg was when he connected to Jason Becker stuffs (..."Dang!" , his voices is very bass, from Jason Becker's Not Dead Yet documentary movie). Also playing with Ringo Starr and Spinal Tap!
Mike Terrana (born 1960)
The big brother of every metal drummer. He is literally almost there for most of important metal acts. Notable from Yngwie Malmsteen, Rage, Tarja, Axel Rudi Pell, Masterplan, Roland Grapow, Kiko Loureiro, Tony MacAlpine and another 20+ projects. He rarely mentioned as the metal story goes, but actually he helped many important musicians throughout his career.
Jimmy DeGrasso (born March 16, 1963)
His famous moment was of course when he was in Megadeth. His other memorable band was White Lion. A totally hireable drummer, he was playing with
Lita Ford, Ozzy Osbourne, Y&T, White Lion, Fiona, Suicidal Tendencies, Alice Cooper, Megadeth, Dave Mustaine's MD.45, David Lee Roth, Hail. His latest schedule is with Dokken now days.
Alex Holzwarth (born 1968)
Settled and making fame mostly from Rhapsody of Fire(s). Alex was/is the person providing the drum beat for our legendary symphonic metal band. He is also having fun with side project Vision Divine, which he left later. He also help the latest Timo Tolkki's Avalon.
Atma Anur (born unknown...)
To say Atma is one of the best unknown sideman is trully understatement. He was the hidden weapon for Mike Varney for its Shrapnel records projects. His records included Speed Metal Symphony by Cacophony, Jason Becker, Richie Kotzen, Greg Howe, etc. He was also in Joop Wolters, Vicious Rumours, Hardline, Tony MacAlpine, and unbelievable drumming session for Guthrie Govan, Jason Becker's Not Dead Yet and many others. When you see his name on your CD it mean that CD is a serious one!
Bobby Jarzombek (born 1963)
Riot, Halford, Sebastian Bach, Arch/Matheos, Rob Rock, Iced Earth. Well Rob Halford once said about him, “He’s like an illusionist on the drum kit. It’s effortless and entertaining, and he’s just brilliant.”, 'nuff said.
John Macaluso (born 1968)
Another lesser known drummer samurai. Played in Yngwie Malmsteen, James LaBrie, Symphony X, George Lynch, Alex Masi. His latest project is as drummer for Mastercastle and Simone Fiorletta
Collin Leijenaar (born 1974)
Dilemma, Affector, Neal Morse live drummer. He actually a substitute for Mike Portnoy in Neal Morse's 2012 album, Portnoy played in studio recording and Collin must played in live setting. He played in new progressive metal band called Affector.
Top Young Generation Drummer
Support young talented drummer won't you, otherwise the metal genre will be ended in the year 2889. Here are some of most promising drummer, ready to replaced the older generation.
Jeremy Colson (born 1978)
Before he make it famous to Steve Vai's Where the Wild Things Are era drummer, he already worked with Marty Friedman, Michael Schenker Group (MSG), and Dali's Dilleman (progressive metal). Now he is ready to join the high paid drummer as he also hired by Billy Idol. Hard hitting and aggresive, I like his 'Beast' portable drum set which he used in Steve Vai's Where The Wild Things Are DVD.
Charlie Zeleny (born 1981)
Young drummer which almost unofficially the 8th drummer samurai that auditioned for Dream Theater. He put a youtube video for all three Dream Theater audition songs (Dance of Eternity, Nightmare to Remember, Spirit Carries On). Only credit the most as drummer of Behold, he is much into jamming and professional hired drummer.
Martin "Marthus" Škaroupka (born 1981)
Drumming for Cradle of Filth, and now Masterplan in 2013. He is also trained in piano and singing. I will need to add more story on him later...
Enrico Sidoti (born 1986)
Almost unknown, he is now drummer in new Italian metal band, Earthcry.
