Top 10 Best Metal Drummers of All Time

What makes a metal drummer legendary? Is it their speed, technical skill, creativity, or influence on the genre? Or is it a combination of all of these factors? The world of heavy metal drumming is a diverse and fiercely contested one, filled with iconic figures who have pushed the boundaries of what is possible on the kit.

Throughout heavy metal's history, drummers have been the driving force behind some of the most powerful and innovative music ever created. They've laid down the thunderous beats that define the genre, and they've inspired countless musicians to pick up the sticks and join the mosh pit.

The Top Ten

Dave Lombardo (Slayer, Testament)

David "Dave" Lombardo is a Cuban American drummer best known as a co-founding member of the thrash metal band Slayer. He played on many of Slayer's early albums and helped define their aggressive sound. Lombardo has also contributed to other projects including Fantômas, Suicidal Tendencies, and Mr. Bungle... read more

Slayer is not as mainstream as Slipknot and A7X. Plus, Dave is not dead. That's why he is number three. The Rev gets voted up only because he is dead.
Lombardo was far more advanced, heavier, and more technical than Jimmy. As for Jordison, he is also better than The Rev. He is very technical and extremely fast. Dave is number one, though. Number two should be Mike Portnoy, who is equally good as Dave. Joey can come in at number three, followed by Ulrich at number four.

Slayer is, in fact, mainstream because Metallica made it so. Dave Lombardo, despite being in second place, has always been the greatest metal drummer in history.
The sheer brutality on Reign in Blood, Silent Scream, and the unparalleled technicality shown on South of Heaven is face-melting. I couldn't care less about popularity. Dave Lombardo has always been metal's greatest drummer.
Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan (Avenged Sevenfold)

James Owen Sullivan (February 9, 1981 - December 28, 2009), better known by his stage name "The Rev," short for "The Reverend Tholomew Plague," was an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He was best known as the drummer, backing vocalist, and co-founder of the American heavy metal band Avenged... read more

First off, I just want to say I think it's dumb how people are saying, "Lars should be number one because if it wasn't for his influence, none of these other guys would exist." How do you think any good drummer becomes good? They are influenced by somebody. They listen to other drummers and learn from them. They develop a style that sometimes, not all the time, may sound a tad bit similar to their influences.
Secondly, this is a list for the "Best Metal Drummer" that anybody can vote on. Essentially, this is a list of people's opinions, or in other words, a list of popularity. That being said, I bet more than half the people who voted on this list know little to nothing about drumming. People are going to vote for their "favorite" drummer or the drummer from their favorite band.
Thirdly, I want to say why I voted for Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan. Some of my reasons may sound hypocritical. The first reason is that he was a part of my favorite band, Avenged Sevenfold. Second, I love his personality and would have loved to have known him in person or gotten to meet him. He was a crazy guy who was friends with basically everybody. Third, and most importantly, I truly think he is one of, if not the best, metal drummers there has ever been.
If you really just listen to his drum tracks and the songs he's written, you can truly hear the musical genius that he was. He could do basically anything on the drums. He invented his own technique, the "double ride thing." He could play basically any style of rock on the drums. Not to mention, he was a pretty good singer. To be honest, I don't know that much about drums, let alone how to play them. But just from what I hear between him and other drummers, I can honestly say my opinion is that he is one of the best drummers and musicians in metal history.
Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment)

Michael Portnoy is an American drummer, backing vocalist, and co-founder of the progressive metal and rock band Dream Theater. He left the band in 2010. Known for his technical skill, Portnoy has won 30 awards from Modern Drummer magazine. He's also performed with Liquid Tension Experiment, Flying Colors... read more

It is such an amazing feeling to click on a best metal drummers list and see your favorite at number one. Mike has done so much for me in my personal life, through his work and perseverance in Dream Theater, and how much Dream Theater has done for me. In my drumming, I would be nowhere near as good as I am now without Mike. His drumming inspired me not only to play drums but also to enjoy it.
Every time I play Octavarium - yes, the whole thing - on the drums, there is just something about it that is incredible. His drumming and personality have so much energy and flamboyance that Dream Theater was never the same without him. I love Mike Mangini's playing, but he lacks that extra element that Mike Portnoy brought to the band. He is absolutely number one.
Joey Jordison (Slipknot)

Joey Jordison was an American musician, songwriter, and record producer best known as the former drummer and co-songwriter for the heavy metal band Slipknot. He also played guitar in the horror punk band Murderdolls. Jordison co-founded the blackened death metal band Sinsaenum and was involved in the... read more

Nobody even comes close to Jordison. If you vote for the Avenged Sevenfold drummer over this "ex" Slipknot drummer, I suggest you try to notice how perfect the drum beats go with each song. Plus, it's basically Slipknot vs. Avenged Sevenfold. If someone were to ask me who has the better drummer, I might laugh. I mean, Avenged Sevenfold, are you kidding me?!
They are just New Metal, and REAL metal is ending with Slipknot, Spineshank, older Trivium, Ill Nino, and Pantera (the best ever). Tool is my favorite band, and I think their drummer is a badass. He's the most unique drummer I have ever heard. Tool can't be put in the same category as Slipknot and Metallica.
Danny Carey (Tool)

Daniel Edwin "Danny" Carey, born May 10, 1961, in Lawrence, Kansas, is an American drummer and instrumentalist best known for his work in the Grammy Award-winning progressive rock band Tool. He has also performed or recorded with artists such as Zaum, Green Jellÿ, Pigface, Skinny Puppy, Adrian Belew... read more

The most creative drummer on this list, to be sure. While he doesn't make a conspicuous effort to display his technical ability and agility as much as Joey Jordison does, his rhythms are far more intricate and versatile. Both are very fun and incredible to listen to.
However, most metal drummers' rhythms become stale somewhat quickly. It's usually up to the guitarists and vocalists to keep the music interesting and relevant. Tool is driven by rhythm, and Carey's drumming is absolutely the force behind that.

He combines all the elements that other excellent drummers on this list excel at, but is often much more interesting and varied. He's perfectly precise live, from what I've seen and heard. He's also very good with complex time signatures.
Listen to three-quarters of the way through Forty Six & 2, then Vicarious, then Ticks and Leeches. He doesn't simply rely on just one or two styles.
Lars Ulrich (Metallica)

Lars Ulrich is a Danish drummer and one of the founding members of the American thrash metal band Metallica. He formed the band in 1981 with James Hetfield and has remained its drummer throughout its career.
In recent years, some have criticized his drumming as less consistent, citing a decline... read more

A true musical genius! People always hate on Lars and say he's a bad drummer, but the man changed the essence of drumming. Not to mention, he is one of the biggest drumming influences in the world. People complain because he changed his whole approach, but it's for the better good, in my opinion.
If he's so bad, how did they sell over 130 million albums and sell out stadiums left and right? I started listening to Metallica back in '84, and yes, I was a tad upset after And Justice. However, listening to everything they play and how this man is so in tune with James Hetfield is mind-blowing.

Lars is a remarkable drummer. Just listen to any song by Metallica and notice how he constantly switches to different time signatures. Anyone who is a true Metallica fan would know that.
Lars has his own unique style, and even after over 25 years, no one can match his exact style of playing. He is untouchable in a way. I can't say he is the world's best drummer, but he does deserve the top 5 spot he is in now.
Gene Hoglan (Death, Dark Angel, Testament, Dethklok, Strapping Young Lad)

Eugene "Gene" Victor Hoglan II is an American drummer. He is acclaimed for his creativity in drum arrangements, including the use of unconventional devices for percussion effects and his signature extended double-kick drum rhythms. Hoglan has performed with bands such as Dark Angel, Death, Strapping... read more

Gene 'Atomic Clock' Hoglan's works include Time Does Not Heal, Individual Thought Patterns, Symbolic, and Dark Roots of Earth. He is the reason that maybe one day I'll try to give some spins to SYL or Dethklok stuff. In one word: innovation. This includes improvisation and precise recording material after only two or three takes. It speaks for itself.
It's not just about BPMs, blast beats, or double bass kicking. But there are many other fantastic drummers: Vinnie Colaiuta, Mike Mangini, Portnoy, Richard Christy, Thomas Lang, Dave Lombardo, and many others I have no clue about until I listen to some stuff played by them live. I laugh out loud when I read references to Dyers Eve, which was programmed so they could hardly play it live.
Chris Adler (Lamb of God)

Christopher James Adler is an American drummer best known as a founding member of the groove metal band Lamb of God. He is also a Grammy Award-winning musician for his work with Megadeth on the album Dystopia. Adler is known for his technical precision and influential drumming style in modern metal.

By far the best metal drummer out there. He plays every bit of his drum set and commands as much attention as every other member in Lamb of God. Go to YouTube and try to find a reason why he shouldn't be the number one metal drummer.
The Rev was a great drummer, but not even close to the skill level of Chris Adler. Tomas Haake from Meshuggah is probably the only one who could run a close race as far as metal drummers go.

Clearly, only drummers should be voting for the best drummer, regardless of genre. Popularity and talent are not mutually exclusive, but neither are technical execution and soul.
Neil Peart is technically adept, but John Bonham is all soul. That said, Chris Adler is one of the most technically adept and soulful rhythmic composers in metal, and many in the industry are saying so.
Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden)

Michael Henry "Nicko" McBrain is an English musician best known as the drummer for Iron Maiden, which he joined in 1982. He has played on all of Iron Maiden's albums since Piece of Mind (1983).

The opening track of "Where Eagles Dare" famously displays McBrain's ability to use the single drum pedal very quickly, just like a double pedal. McBrain often employs the back end of his left-hand drumstick to get a more aggressive sound from the snare drum. He is able to play a variety of styles.
Take, for example, the 7/8 riff that follows the second chorus of "Alexander the Great." The 7/4 riff on the song "Brighter Than a Thousand Suns" and the 14/8 riff that follows the second chorus on the song "The Longest Day" are other examples of his versatility.

I couldn't choose between The Rev (come on, his double rides are epic) and Nicko here, but seeing Nicko not even in the top 10 absolutely disgusts me.
He never uses a double-foot pedal (with Face in the Sand being the only exception) and, of course, there's Where Eagles Dare. Listen to that and tell me he shouldn't be in the top 3, let alone the top 10.
Tomas Haake (Meshuggah)

Tomas Haake is a Swedish drummer and the main songwriter for the experimental metal band Meshuggah. He is known for his polyrhythmic drumming and technical precision. In 2012, he was named the 5th best modern metal drummer by MetalSucks.net and was voted number one in the "Metal" category in Modern Drummer... read more

Everyone mentioned above is good. Most of them are my favorites. But Tomas is my idol. He is a beast when it comes to drumming, and he also writes the insane lyrics for Meshuggah.
Okay, I know we're talking about drumming, so let's focus on that. He has speed and one of the greatest techniques in metal. He even influences Danny Carey. Listen to Meshuggah, and you will fall in love with him, just like I did. He really deserves a spot in the top three.

All the drummers listed above are very talented gentlemen. However, when compared to Haake's tenacity, technical mastery (note the use of the word mastery and not just skill), and the fact that he has two brains (one controlling his arms and one controlling his feet), he stands above the rest.
Whether you rank drumming by skill, speed, soul, badassness, or the brain-demolishing factor, Haake excels.

The Newcomers

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Alex Bent (Trivium)

Alex Bent is an amazing and talented drummer! He became the drummer of Trivium in 2017, and he's become one of the best drummers they've had.
If I'm not mistaken, he recorded most of his drum parts in one take on The Sin and the Sentence album. The quality of his drumming, both live and in the studio, is pristine. Alex does Trivium and their older songs justice. His unique drumming style and technicality is next to none.
For many years, Trivium struggled to find their drummer, and now they've finally found him in Alex Bent.
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Evgeny Novikov (Slaughter to Prevail)

I'm glad there is somebody who knows this beast of a drummer.
His style reminds me of Joey Jordison.

The Contenders

George Kollias (Nile)

Georgios "George" Kollias is a Greek heavy metal drummer and music teacher. He is best known for his long-time work with the American technical death metal band Nile. Kollias is widely recognized for his speed, precision, and instructional materials for aspiring drummers.

Seriously, George is only number 10? Do any of you have ANY idea about drumming? Do you even know half of these people? My hunch is that you're all voting for your favorites, not for the 'best metal drummer.'
George is absolutely insane. He can reach 280 bpm (proven and recorded), which is badass, and his double bass is insane. His technique is flawless, and I have to say he is like a god compared to half of these "number one drummers." I don't even like Nile.

What? People really think that The Rev, Lars Ulrich, and Yoshiki Hayashi are better than George Kollias? No, these little girls who vote for Lars Ulrich just don't know anything about real metal drumming, double bass, blast beats, etc. Why George Kollias? He's the best metal drummer in the world. Just listen to his double bass. And I'm not even a Nile fan!
Bill Ward (Black Sabbath)

William Thomas "Bill" Ward is an English musician and visual artist best known as the original drummer for the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath. Ward was part of the original lineup formed in 1968 and contributed to several of the band's most influential albums. He has also released solo work and... read more

Bill should be at least in the top 5. That guy was amazing. Hell, I don't even play drums, but he is the only drummer that really got to me because he stands out from the rest.
Don't believe me? Listen to War Pigs, Beyond the Walls of Sleep, or just about any Sabbath song.

An absolute legend in the making, Bill Ward was and still is the most inspiring metal drummer today. He's one of a kind, and his skills were most incredibly showcased on stage or wherever he played.
Bill Ward is a monster on the drums, and his skills show it all. God bless him and Black Sabbath.
Mario Duplantier (Gojira)

Mario Duplantier is a French musician and artist best known as the drummer of the technical death metal band Gojira. He is known for his powerful drumming style and artistic visual work, which he often shares through exhibitions and online. Duplantier formed Gojira with his brother Joe Duplantier in... read more

He definitely deserves to be in the top 5, at least. He's by far my favorite musician. He plays with so much groove but maintains pristine precision.
He manages god-like accuracy without sounding robotic at all. Gojira is one of the best, if not the best, modern metal bands.

He completely melts your mind when you're listening to Gojira. His performance is iconic - extremely technical, fast, precise, and jaw-dropping in every way.
Just listen to Heaviest Matter of the Universe or any other song, for that matter.
Brann Dailor (Mastodon)

Brann Timothy Dailor is an American drummer and singer, best known as a member of the Atlanta, Georgia-based metal band Mastodon. In the band, he serves as the drummer, backing vocalist, lead vocalist on several songs, and primary lyricist. His drumming style is noted for its technical complexity and... read more

Danny Carey is my favorite, and I really want to upvote him for a higher spot than 5. But Brann Dailor is criminally far down on this list. It's really sad that the fact that Mastodon isn't as well-known as some of the other bands puts Brann at such a disadvantage. His drumming is definitely enough to place him higher on the list.
Just to add, he also has one of the greatest voices in the entire genre. Sometimes it's insane how he manages to sing while holding some insane beats and adding cool fills. Brann and Danny should be up in the top 3 with Mike Portnoy. Mario Duplantier also deserves to be close up there!

It's crazy that drummers like Joey Jordison rank higher than Brann on this list. Brann brings to metal what not many other drummers do. He makes pinpoint drum rolls fit and incorporates jazz-influenced beats in places where they wouldn't normally fit in a song.
Not many drummers are as recognizable as Brann as soon as you hear them. He's a key part of the band and has a killer voice too!
Casey Grillo (Kamelot)

He plays for Kamelot, a symphonic metal band. Many of their songs must mix the beauty and melody of classical rhythms with the drive and aggression of metal. It takes an unbelievable drummer to do this with the amount of feel he does. He has the ability to balance four-on-the-floor thunder with technical flair without distracting from the song.
He plays to the needs of the music, not his own ego. He's perfect for his band and his genre, while the philosophy of his drumming can be applied to any other. Any drummer will tell you that these are among the most important qualities to look for in a drummer and set him apart from the other technical beasts of the metal genre.
(Note: His drumming live easily matches or exceeds that which is recorded. That compliment for Casey also extends to the whole band.)
Vinnie Paul (Pantera)

Vincent Paul Abbott, better known as "Vinnie Paul" (March 11, 1964 - June 22, 2018), was an American professional drummer and producer. Alongside his late brother Dimebag Darrell, he co-founded the heavy metal bands Pantera and Damageplan, achieving major success with Pantera. After the death of Dimebag... read more

I'm not sure who made this list, but the only one in the top ten who should be there is Dave Lombardo. He should be number one. What are the Rev and Jordison doing in the top three? Drumming isn't just about speed, you fools!
Watch Vinnie Paul play behind some of the heaviest riffs of all time. He plays some sick, off-beat licks that blend beautifully and turns on the speed when he needs to. Like Lombardo, he doesn't just throw it all together in a blurred mess. He hits with intensity, fast or slow, that makes you rock your body.
You need to give the right people the respect they have earned. This isn't a popularity contest! Work on your ear for music before you make a list like this. Unreal!
John Dolmayan (System of a Down)

John Dolmayan is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American songwriter and drummer. He is best known as the drummer for the rock band System of a Down. During the band's hiatus, Dolmayan released a solo cover album titled These Grey Men, which features guest vocalists such as Serj Tankian, M. Shadows, Franky... read more

Dolmayan really should be higher on this list, given all his work with different musicians. John's rhythms are spot-on, and he can keep a fast beat.
Plus, he does some pretty good drumming on those timbales, which is very unique for a metal drummer. Instead of showing off with a blast beat, I think a drummer with skills in different areas of percussion deserves the number one spot.

He is one of the best drummers I have ever heard in my life. If you listen to the Toxicity album, I can guarantee that you will understand why he is by far one of the best drummers out there. He never misses a beat live.
Mike Mangini (Dream Theater)

Mike Mangini is an American drummer known for his technical proficiency and teaching expertise. Since 2010, he's been the drummer for the progressive metal band Dream Theater, following the departure of founding member Mike Portnoy. Mangini also holds several world records in drum speed and has served... read more

Mangini kicks it off in the new 2012 Dream Theater album. With four World's Fastest Drummer Records and his insane technical abilities, I think Mike Mangini deserves a spot in the Top 10.
He performs a mind-blowing keyboard-drum duet in Illumination Theory and consistently finds ways to impress me more than even Rudess or Petrucci. It's a great start for Mike Mangini, and I expect that he'll continue to impress everyone.

He is one of the most musical drummers, with amazing rhythmic perception and a unique style of playing. Sometimes he's subtle, other times he's in your face. He is probably one of the most versatile and non-egoistic drummers in the metal world.
Blake Richardson (Between the Buried and Me)

Obviously, the people voting here have never actually listened to any music, let alone metal. There are very few men that can compare with Blake, and the few that can are depressingly low on the list as well.

Watch Blake Richardson recording Obfuscation on YouTube. You'll realize why he deserves a spot on this list!

He's definitely number one in my opinion. Watch the Telos demonstration on YouTube. Enough said!
Neil Peart (Rush)

Neil Ellwood Peart (September 12, 1952 to January 7, 2020) was a Canadian-American musician and writer best known as the drummer and primary lyricist of the rock band Rush. He received numerous awards for his musical performances, including induction into the Modern Drummer Readers Poll Hall of Fame... read more

I agree! Hell, I didn't even see Stewart Copeland on this list from The Police. If you've never seen him or his kit, you haven't watched a drummer. He uses a wide range of percussion. Watch YouTube and find the song Wrapped Around Your Finger that shows him only playing the song with all the percussion. It's an amazing look at a drummer you won't normally see, considering they drive a song.

This list is just a popularity poll. Neil Peart is so low?!
The guy is a legend! He should be number 1. The Rev (RIP) wasn't a great drummer, okay at best. Kollias and Dailor are so low. I didn't even find Inferno on the list! Also, Dave Lombardo is a genius and is up there with Neil.
Scott Travis (Judas Priest)

Mark Scott Travis is a Grammy Award-winning American rock musician, best known as the drummer for the English heavy metal band Judas Priest and the American heavy metal band Racer X. He joined Judas Priest in 1989 and debuted with them on the 1990 album Painkiller, which showcased his fast and aggressive... read more

Scott is a powerhouse. His notorious solo on Painkiller will rip your face off. But he's also much more technical than many of the drummers on this list. Definitely in the top 10. (Is anyone else confused about why you have to go beyond the top 5 to find Judas Priest on any list?)

Of course, the Painkiller solo is an insane drum experience. But come on, guy, look at his live performances. He'll show you that his techniques are stronger than just one song.
Scott is THE master of the drums in a heavy metal band.

This should be in the top 10, not 21. He had an epic drumming solo in Painkiller, but besides that, I guess he is still pretty good.
Pete Sandoval (Morbid Angel, Terrorizer)

He's the fastest and most technical drummer! Morbid Angel is one of the most brutal and technical bands ever in metal. They are one of the few death metal bands that influence most other death metal bands.
To summarize, they have great technical skill and play the heaviest and fastest metal. Without Pete Sandoval, the band is not the same. They need to go back to the old-school metal they had before the last album. The album isn't bad, but it's not the old-school Morbid Angel.

Yes. When I first heard him on Altars of Madness and Blessed Are The Sick/Wicked (I forget which), it was out of this world. It's one of those you had to see it to believe it sort of things.
Charlie Benante (Anthrax, Stormtroopers of Death)

Why is no one voting for Benante? This guy is amazing. Even Dave Lombardo, Mike Portnoy, and Lars Ulrich said Benante is the greatest metal drummer.

To be honest, Charlie should be in the top 5. He is SO UNDERRATED! He and Lombardo should be tied for 2nd or 3rd.

He's the best with speed, technique, and instinct. No one is like him!
Nick Menza (Megadeth)

Nick Menza (1964-2016) was a professional drummer who gained fame through his work with Megadeth. He played with the band from 1989 to 1998 and briefly returned in 2004. Menza recorded drums on four of Megadeth's major albums: Rust In Peace, Countdown to Extinction, Youthanasia, and Cryptic Writings... read more

I wouldn't say he's the best heavy metal drummer out there, but he fits with the band really well. I've never seen anyone who's able to do that. In fact, most metal drummers just play fast and don't care about what the other band members are playing.
I would listen to Menza's simpler beats and drum fills rather than listening to Joey Jordison's boring solo. Joey plays only one drum fill and repeats it over and over again. Another good metal drummer is Thomas Lang, who is more legendary and technical than Menza. I vote for Menza because his work impresses me the most.

Wait, what? He deserves a place in the top 10. He was the drummer on two legendary albums: Rust in Peace and Countdown to Extinction.
He's underrated, and his technique is solid. Along with Mustaine, he's my favorite band member. Credit to Menza.
Ariën van Weesenbeek (Epica)

Speed, power, and unbelievable control. Along with some others that come to mind, he doesn't always get the recognition he deserves in this genre, in my opinion.
Also, check out his work with MaYaN. It's seriously good. He deserves to be way higher on this list.

He lives up to his nickname "The Beast." It's totally amazing when you discover at the end of the show that he is completely wet because of sweating. He is a real monster on stage and shows tons of energy when he's playing.
Respect for this incredible drummer.