11 Greatest Metal Drummers | Brann Dailor of Mastodon's Picks

Mastodon drummer-vocalist Brann Dailor knows a thing or two about his instrument. While he'd certainly be included among the finest drummers in heavy music history, we asked him to share his expert opinion on who he thinks are the most talented percussionists in the hesher lexicon (other than himself). From Slipknot's Joey Jordison and TOOL's Danny Carey to prolific pioneers like Gene Hoglan, Dailor not only gives his props to the musicians he admires, but explains exactly what makes them so groundbreaking.
Watch above and let us know some of your picks for greatest metal drummer in the comments below!
Background Music: Armageddon by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License
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#mastodon #branndailor #drums #metal #drummer #blacksabbath #ozzyosbourne #slipknot #strappingyounglad #municipalwaste #humanremains #tool #dannycarey #death #ironmaiden #slayer #davelombardo #metallica #larsulrich #kingdiamond

[@kendrickjahn1261]

All I know is, Brann Dailor is one of my all time favorite drummers, and hearing Mastodon was life changing.

[@danielhuang2488]

same

[@slipknotpurity00]

From the first time I heard Remission I was completely blown away and knew he was special

[@deathmetalchili6902]

Same here.

[@biorythmicshifter]

Pete Sandoval deserves some love. He catapulted the art form to ridiculous speeds. I remember back in 96 Grip Inc. (RIP Gus) opened for Morbid Angel. I loved that band too so I was at the front of the stage with a Slayer cap and Morbid Angel shirt. As Dave Lombardo was walking backstage when the set ended I yelled “Dave, play a drum solo!!!”…I turned around and started bullshitting with my buddy and a moment later I hear “should I do it?”…it was Dave, he heard me. I yelled “F’ Yeah!!!” as did everyone around me when they saw what was going on. Dave looks at me and says “this is for you…” and gets back on the drum set and rips out a solo. I can leave this planet a happy mofo knowing Dave F’ing Lombardo dedicated a drum solo to me. That made my night, thank you Dave…

[@petedog9581]

Gene Hoglan said Grip's Hostage to Heaven was the pinnacle of double bass work. That was back in the 90's. Drumming has come so far with tech, but talent is timeless. Lombardo would be my #1.

[@rickanimaltaylor4545]

@@petedog9581 Yea man Dave was always like my favorite metal drummer and I love Grip man!Just covered a bunch more of their songs doing drum covers a few months ago and did a bunch of Mastodon last week!Dont really hear of people mentioning Grip Inc.,their one of my favorites!

[@petedog9581]

@@rickanimaltaylor4545 I bet people ask, "Who is that" when you do the covers.

[@rickanimaltaylor4545]

@@petedog9581 And I say Rick Animal Taylor!!Haha Check some out man.I used to play in a band Insatanity who got signed and its funny cause the old guitarist for Nuclear Assault wants to jam with me and he was in a band that played with my old band after I left.But I also had gigs to opebn for bands like Cannibal Corpse and stuff so no not all ask who is that wise guy but Im sure knowone knows who you are!!

[@rickanimaltaylor4545]

@@petedog9581 Yea man I actually had Brann comment and like a Mastodon cover I did maybe about a year and a half ago witch was cool!So I'm known by some!!Haha

[@potatodumpling385]

Great list. I'm not a drummer, but from my guitarist perspective, I always loved Nick Menza. Rust in Peace was just technicians at the top of their game for me.

[@denbotrexwell]

It was sad he passed. Saw Megadeth in Dec 92 and he was amazing live!

[@potatodumpling385]

@@denbotrexwell I think I saw them around the same time. Good times.

[@chieftigmos4018]

just turned the video on and was thinking nick menza better be on his list hahaha

[@wlower5159]

Oh damn I forgot about him! Nick would've been a good pick

[@SaintKines]

Rust In Peace and Master of Puppets are the 2 highest peaks of thrash in my book. Dave's singing may sound like cats f+×=ing but if you can aquire a taste for it or at least tolerate it, the writing and playing on that album is GOAT level.

[@Cubodesangre666]

Brann is a genuinely awesome human being. A pleasure to watch any interview he does.

[@rubysoffner4557]

Great list. Sean Reinert definitely one of the most overlooked drummers by all but musicians. Total game changer and I can’t believe he is gone

[@craigjames8569]

Agreed. One of my favorite musicians ever

[@schillinger7814]

Hearing 'Human' was a game changer. Reinert was a beast.

[@lucid6067]

Joey Jordison listed him along with every other drummer in Death as his influences.

[@michaelsadowski2360]

I agree with most…. I would put Scott Travis in over Lars Ulrich. And mike portnoy deserves an honorable mention along with mike mangini. There are so many off the chart drummers! Great list!

[@panziniman]

What about Charlie Benante?

[@Bmphotog]

Great list, I'm always surprised Igor Cavalera doesn't get enough love. I know damn well he's influenced many lol

[@patrickthisandthat]

I thought he was saving Igor for last as well...glad he threw in Lars...

[@brandonshifflett7808]

Igor and max don't get enough credit for any of there musical abilities

[@Timzdametal]

For sure such a powerful drummer

[@Bmphotog]

@@patrickthisandthat Me too...I'm sure every drummer wanted to be Lars as Metallica were coming up. Who didn't every member of Metallica influence lol

[@vicegripp]

Faaaaacts! Igor is so slept on.

[@wolfsongcg6497]

This list makes so much sense, listening to Brann's playing style.

[@TechFiend44]

Sweet list. Love Brann and love the Lars shoutout - People like to act too cool for school in regards to him, but he really did spawn an entire generation metal drummers. I wish Patrick Robert (Gorguts) got more attention on these sorts of lists. The Obscura album is absolutely baffling in it's level of technicality and is an all-time benchmark for drumming in extreme music.

[@TeutobergForestryService]

Yea, a bunch kids thought,” if LARS can make it, then so can I.” Lol

[@SaintKines]

@@TeutobergForestryService probably but that's pretty cool too. It's cooler in a way than guys that are so good they make some people quit. It's like that saying about The Velvet Underground "The first Velvet Underground album only sold 10k copies, but everyone that bought that album started a band". That's probably not true but they inspired so many great bands and so did Lars. Plus Lars may never have been a world class drummer but at his peak he was no bitch either.

[@Sternodox]

Glad to see the love for Obscura. It's like extreme metal Captain Beefheart.

[@nemesis8626]

You will find most of the people who are "too cool for school" with him as you say are pretty much amateur drummers or closed minded people. I believe Mario from gojira even said lars is his main influence and favourite player too

[@huntersiex1319]

What do you think the T-1000, Robert Patrick, thinks of Patrick Robert's drumming?

[@rustyshackleford3884]

Tommy Aldridge is so underrated - I have to throw Nick Menza for always having groove and feel, even with technically complicated parts

[@ACarter87]

Yea I feel like only drummers know who Tommy is, when he’s a legend of a musician Dude would go into the Bonham hand slap drum solo ffs

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

I'm not a drummer and I know who Tommy Aldridge is. M.A.R.S. is an excellent album

[@WKelleyLucas_KustomScatterguns]

100%... Been a fan of Tommy's since his Pat Travers Band days... and Nick Menza was a beast!

[@FlyingWhale213]

Agree with Branns list..and I would add Haake Duplantier Bonham and Portnoy to make a top 15 list

[@RizzlerTwo]

Bonham isn't metal

[@cory-o-cookies95]

@@RizzlerTwo agreed. He’s the reason I grabbed the sticks and my personal choice as GOAT. But he wasn’t metal. He influenced what would become metal drumming, alongside Mr. Ward

[@minkogovedarov2671]

I though about Haake too, his technic is awesome, he' like a machine, but maybe he lacks a bit on the imagination side of things, compared to the guys on the list I mean.

[@mootkickee]

Peart is 🐐 for me

[@BlueHopi144]

@@mootkickee Peart + Bonham deeply influenced Carrey as i heard ....

[@Timzdametal]

I'm a big fan of Nicholas Barker. Also Richard Christy! The final drummer for Death. I remember an interview with Chuck just before he died and they asked him if he missed having Gene in the band and he said something like don't sleep on Richard Christy, he's one of the most technical, best drummers I've ever played with.

[@HugoStiglitz88]

Richard Christy was AMAZING when he was with death. I saw a live DVD he was on with them and my mind was blown. Not just fast but he was doing all kinds of shit you just don't hear from metal drummers, especially back then Also, nick barker blows Travis out of the water. Travis is crazy overrated and I get sick of hearing him mentioned

[@shawndyment5805]

I will say one drummer that influenced me when I started drumming in 82 at age 12 was Clive Burr..I still draw from his style.

[@davidhair7390]

Clive had a swing that no one else had. RIP

[@RPM3inWDC]

Yes!

[@williamnelson4005]

RIP Clive!!!

[@z-z-z-z]

@@davidhair7390 - bill ward put the wing in swing...

[@timturk1899]

Great drumwork! No double bass, just one incredible foot on that Kick drum!

[@andrewtolson2566]

Great list. Missed Chris Adler. As a guitar player, Adler was the only drummer that could really pull my ears away from the guitar riffage. And thats hard to do for me and LOG.

[@crazyjoedavola5430]

For sure....

[@timlewis5527]

Amazing playing on Protest the Heros Volition

[@williametanner412]

My all time ever favorite is Chris. Much respect for the list here.

[@TheAbenunez]

Yes!

[@watchlistenlearn]

Mudvaynes Drummer Sepultura and Gojiras too oh And Meshuggahs Drummer!

[@tmex9588]

My personal favorites in no particular order: Danny Carey Dave Lombardo Igor Cavalera Tomas Hakke Vinnie Paul Charlie Benate Gene Hoglan Brann Dailor John Bohnam Eloy Casagrande Paul Bostaph

[@BlueHopi144]

Carrey , at 60 , he just finished a monstruous US / Euro tour with TOOL & now playing jazz in his little jazz club in L.A . What a cool happy Legend

[@richharris9489]

I like paul also and dave and charlie etc

[@alexbaum2204]

Throw Nick Menza up there and it’s pretty much my list.

[@tmex9588]

@@alexbaum2204 good call. His performance in Rust in Peace was brutal 🤘🏼

[@aplus1080]

Paul doesn't get enough love. If Killing Fields doesn't make you murder at least 12 people, you're a 6 year old girl.

[@stepitupandgo67]

Brann and Mastadon are a force of nature...they'll be heralded as one of the greatest prog metal bands of all time....I guess they already have been..absolutely incredible

[@jamesp7709]

So happy to see Mikkey getting his rightful place among legends. I have played guitar for 35 years now, and the biggest inspiration for me when I started to play were the sick drum riffs and rhythms of Mikkey Dee in King Diamond. Studying the drums on the album "Them" should be required course material for any aspiring metal musician. He made King Diamond drum-centric without ever overwhelming the music or sounding out of place. A creative and strong servant of the song... Fucking legend and one of the nicest guys in rock. Great list. I would add Mike Portnoy and Clive Burr.

[@ACorpseWithoutSoul]

If Mikkey is legend so Andy LaRocque is it too. Andy is one of the underrated guitarist for all time.

[@keithkafe]

His nearly 25 years with Motörhead ought not to be ignored either.

[@roelofzinn8227]

@@keithkafe This right here! Thank you!

[@masalps]

@@keithkafe his drumming was probably the biggest change to their sound since the early 80s, those ride grooves are unlike anything else

[@CameronSpanos]

I love how he loves King Diamond

[@ryeguy7471]

Mikkey Dee is a BEAST that somehow gets slept on.

[@hamnuts7239]

Can’t believe he’s on the new boring ass Scorpions album. Waste of talent there

[@frosty327]

You gotta feed your family, and Dee is a great guy. Scorpions had a long, successful run. No one comes close except Metallica.

[@dgn4369]

I learned so much from Slayer's South of Heaven. The drum sound on that album is crystal clear. Lombardo's groove and fills and the speed he could play at were a large inspiration. I learned that album so well I could just play all the drums parts from memory without the any of album playing. Another big one for me would be Bobby Jarzombek. His playing on Riot's Thundersteel album was AMAZING. Everything he has be been on since is pretty much jaw droppingly good.

[@HoosierDaddyDetailing]

Bobby Jazrombek for sure. Love his stuff on the Arch/Metheos releases!

[@kevanthompson2288]

Lomabardos snare sound on that album is top notch ❤️

[@jamescon55]

"SOUTH" IS, and ALWAYS will be in my personal TOP 5 METAL and drumming albums 😏🥁🤘🔥🤘

[@seabasssimpson4547]

A drummer that influenced all of us in the late 70's early 80's was Phil Taylor from Motorhead, never heard drumming like that ever before and we were blown away. And quite possibly the best hair ever for a drummer.

[@Mari000]

Yes!!!

[@lonewizzard8456]

👍😎👍

[@MrTelorix]

I have been lucky to have watched Mikkey Dee on five occasions and he blew my mind everytime. I dont know much about Phil because I was born in the 90s. But people say Phil was even better than Mikkey and thats hard for me to comprehend

[@kimpurcell8851]

@@MrTelorix Phil wasn't a better drummer than Mikkey. Phil just had a certain free flowing style that fit with Motorhead exceptionally well. Mikkey could play drums for damn near anyone in any style of music, Phil was just the best MOTORHEAD drummer.

[@MrTelorix]

@@kimpurcell8851 Thanks! I believe you. 10 year old me was at a motorhead concert and I was lucky to sit on the shoulders of a random strong dude when he played a drum solo and it blew my mind, and it opened so many doors to me. And so I went to every motorhead concert (in my hometown) untill Lemmy died. Mikkey is an absolute beast, one of my favorites beside Blake Richardson (BTBAM), Thomas Haake (Meshuggah) and Darkside (Mgla)

[@schillinger7814]

Absolutely solid list from Brann. He was pretty much naming most of my favourites. I would have had Bonham and Jason Roeder in there too and Brann himself!!!!!

[@Miist3rDuce1]

Bonham isn't metal, dummy

[@jakebermel6193]

So pleased Reinert was included in this list.

[@generaljj577]

Me too. Human is incredible. Cynic were way out there.

[@Benjamin-om3ih]

He often doesn't get much love

[@JH-go3lp]

LES BINKS - deserves so much more love and appreciation. Nobody denies the significance of Ward or Sabbath, but the first true metal band is Priest and Binks is a major reason why - the first 15 seconds of Exciter explains it all. His influence is all over the history of metal... and he is criminally overlooked.

[@triglett0669]

Priest is great but not the first

[@matthewvalenti1348]

The first true metal band is Black Sabbath.

[@joedecker3900]

@@matthewvalenti1348Priest is more metal

[@matthewvalenti1348]

We’re not arguing who’s more metal. The fact is Sabbath was the first metal band. Period. Nothing as dark and heavy as their first song existed before them.

[@gregcamp9875]

Les Binks was awesome.

[@augsdoggs]

Mickey Dee’s playing on “Them” definitely had a huge impact on me as well. However, Mercyful Fates drummer Kim Ruzz was no slouch either.

[@m2kss427]

Kim Ruzz was an awesome drummer. Criminally underrated. The drum fill in the beginning of " Devil's Eyes" is one the best drum intros ever

[@hauckjt]

Vinnie Paul would be on my list as well. Amazing grooves and perfect placement on with those little nuances. Agree with all of these though. LOVED Mikkey Dee! Abigail made me want to learn everything he did.

[@sicfrynut]

the single cymbal note after "because time is shorter" .................*ting*

[@brandonmather543]

Vinnie never gets enough love

[@onepunchflan3071]

For sure

[@N8SAY]

He's so underrated for some reason.

[@panayiotis131]

This, kids, is how you make a fun, uninhibited and unpretentious list of shit you like. Brann is the man, in for the passion and fun of metal drumming, putting wide smiles on everyone’s faces. 🤟🏼 AWESOME list.

[@puppetmaster8551]

Facts, Brann is indeed the man, awesome dude and special musician.

[@MagnumVal]

Kids aye? Older are ya?

[@aplus1080]

Tuck in your thumb, hippy

[@panayiotis131]

​@@MagnumVal I'm the kind of old fuck who sits at the back in Mastodon's shows. Then, the "Aqua Dementia" may be played, and I rush first row to push around *the kids* and start a pit when the d-beat rhythm kicks in.

[@panayiotis131]

@@aplus1080 Butthurt about Lars making it into Brann's list, or am I just being a hippie troll?

[@KosmatyPoradnik]

Danny Carrey is octopus Cthulu like beast! Incredible to watch how he performs live. It puts event better impresion when You see him rolling!

[@Sternodox]

Black Oak Arkansas lived next door to us. My Dad was their tour bus driver. I could open my bedroom window and hear Tommy practicing. Incredible.

[@oxouk]

Great list and as a huge Mastodon fan I definitely hear Brann’s Mickey Dee, Nicko, and Ward influences more than anything.

[@chaosapiant]

Of those he listed, those are my three favorite drummers. Dee's work on "Them" and his work with Motorhead was amazing. I loved his drum solos during live renditions of "Sacrifice," by Motorhead.

[@monkeyspank6444]

GENE HOGLAN - TIME DOES NOT HEAL, intensely memorable ❤

[@mementomori5958]

Mikkey Dee is brilliant. Glad to see Brann is a big King Diamond fan too. Mercyful Fate and King are class!

[@tommorris5069]

For me…it’s Bill Ward. He’s more of a jazz drummer who brings shapes and power to the song.

[@ryanlamanna2330]

Martin Lopez from older Opeth albums. Mike Smith from Suffocation. John Merryman from Cephalic Carnage. John Stanier from Helmet (I know, they're categorized as post-hardcore not metal. But the guy is one of my drumming heroes and was a huge influence on my playing when I first started)

[@VBshredder]

Lopez really got good with Deliverance and then Ghost Reveries was a great swan song for him. You can see it was more than production on the live DVDs. Went from serviceable when he joined to a Rolex by the time Ghost Reveries came out

[@ryanorlando1122]

@@VBshredder Lopez's replacement, Martin Axenrot, is really good too. You have to be to play with those guys, multiple musical genres and multiple time signatures all in one song that switch on a dime.

[@Jeffmetal42]

Always been a HUUUUUGE fan of John Merryman. Badass to see someone else mention him in a kickass drummer discussion. 🤘🔥🤘

[@facelessandnameless]

Martin Lopez 🤘

[@caledoniadrumstudio3280]

Really, can't argue with any of this list. Thanks Brann ! Also....love YOUR playing, buddy! Cheers.

[@Fryepod3628]

Joey's drum tracks are so damn good sometimes that'll ill just listen to them over actual slipknot songs back in the day. I know slipknot fans all have their favorite person of the band, but imo slipknot would of never had that 'signature sound' without him. To this day I still listen to Iowa (Live in London) audio set rather than the album because Joey adds so much more amazing stuff to their first two albums in that set, mostly listening just for that reason. Never own my own drums, never really knew much about drums. But slipknot and slayers drummers really helped me understand drums and percussionist in general. As a big fan of underground Hip Hop, Joey and Dave knew how to go from groove to thrash very quickly.

[@bryanmack5410]

I got my first King Diamond record at 14 as well. 35 years later, still a daily fan, as with Mastodon, too.

[@embracerodusk2537]

Pete the feet Sandoval, ex-Morbid Angel. Not only did he have the speed, but his playing just had this off kilter thing going on that matched the band perfectly. It just sounded...morbid. Vinnie Paul, Pantera Vince was a hell of a drummer, but not in the flashy way. He always did what was right for the song and nothing more. An absolute machine live. Kind of what a metal drummer should be. Nick Menza, Megadeth Nick kind of reminded me of Lars in a way. In that he wasn't the most technical player in the world, but he had a certain feel and style to his playing that made him unique. Will always love what he did on Rust In Peace & Countdown To Extinction. Martin Lopez, ex- Opeth An incredibly tasteful player who could do it all & added a really cool tribal element to the band on many songs.

[@anonogimp8489]

Agree completely about Commando, it is something off kilter that fits so perfect with MA. The later stuff just doesnt hit me like with Pete on the recording. Not that they arent up to the task but it is the taste and choices that Pete made. 🤘

[@facelessandnameless]

Martin Lopez is one of my all time favorites! 🤘

[@romaincassignol]

Hi Brann, nice list ! I remember when i bought Human in 1991 : Sean Reinert was amazing...the centerpiece of the album nearly before all the 3 others (and incredible) musicians ! Congratulations for your show at the Hellfest 2022, i was there 🤘🇨🇵

[@username40000]

And he was only 20!

[@bazuzu5]

Would love to hear Brann break down some of his favorite songs by these drummers especially Bill Ward

[@tigerdoc1846]

Brother. YOU! Are in my top 3! The ability to sing and drum alone is amazing but damn you’re so technical. Thank you for the inspiration!

[@WildBill1911]

Love this! As a classic rock drummer I haven't heard of some of the names that he mentioned. I'll have to look them up and listen. In my younger years we invited different musicians to jam with us and it was great. No rivalries. We learned from each other.

[@chriscannella6866]

As a guitar nerd and never been able to play drums, I have always been fascinated by great drummers. I can totally get behind this as I agree with all of these and Brann should be included as well even though its his own list. HAHA

[@godvandamme9921]

Love you back big guy. I'm not a drummer but a fan of drummers and you popped out to me big time when I first heard remission and are what locked me into Mastodon. Be safe and take care.

[@amberdyet8059]

Thank you for showing Joey Jordison some love! Awesome! Thank you! Sweet picture of the 3 of you all BTW too.

[@KillerKojak]

Nicko Mcbrain is incredible for me because h'es not repetitive....the way he play his classics and put surprise on it is awesome each time.... Show me how to be alive in my play with originality and expressions..... live he's at his top.... my only influence in drumming...thank Nicko !!!!

[@KillerKojak]

Love Vinnie Appice and Carmine too...:)

[@xATown23xGaming]

The fact he's 70 and plays Hallowed like Clive did in 1982 blows my damn mind!

[@mauricioalvarado2183]

While I am not a pro-drummer, Nicko was one of my main influence along with Neal Peart. Just saw him live last year and I can´t believe the guy is +70 and how good he plays and sounds!

[@6thUser]

Great list. I'll add the one and only - Cozy Powell

[@dwaynestjohn5324]

Love cozy he gets overlooked for some reason but he has played on alot of great albums and one of the first drummers to incorporate double bass.

[@chrisbloomfield3350]

The fact that he mentioned Sean with Death "Human" and Cynic "Focus".....props my friend

[@wildmanfisher]

A "best metal drummer" list that doesn't include Sean Reinert is not worth taking seriously.

[@Monsterslag]

I've noticed alot of professional drummers list Lars somewhere high in their top-something rankings, even though the guy gets critizised alot for different reasons. It always nice to hear people give respect where respect is due, regardless of musicianship or personal reasons. Lars did extremely well and metallica wouldn't be what it is today without him.

[@swisscheeseplease97]

Yeah it’s cause the only people who hate on Lars is exactly what you said. Because they don’t like his personality. So they say he’s a bad drummer. But he’s not

[@Assimilator702]

That’s because Lars is not the same drummer presently as he was back in the early years. All musicians should improve at their craft, not go backwards in their ability.

[@jorgeflores6306]

I think the issue with Lars was that rather than improve(or even just continue) his level of playing, he went backwards and took the easy route. Early Metallica is fairly difficult to play but their new music is so easy to play that even a beginner could manage to play a Metallica song. Just my personal opinion on why I'm not a huge fan of Lars anymore.

[@blppt]

Lars can write some great drum tracks, and even competently lay them down with studio help. (see Dyers Eve). But other than that, he's a terrible "actual" drummer. A drummer with one year of experience under his belt would exceed Lars' playing abilities nowadays. There is no escaping that. He's a great and legendary songwriter and arranger. But he's never been more than a mediocre guy when it comes time to actually play without punch-ins and multisession recording.

[@HenritheHorse]

@@swisscheeseplease97 He is an average drummer that has sucked since the 90s, but he did make some great songs!

[@josebarragan439]

Richard Christy doesn’t get the credit he deserves. His complexity on The Sound of Perseverance blows my mind. That album and The Fragile Art of Existence are always on repeat

[@wc1994]

Richard Christy is amazing on the albums he played with Chuck!!! He definitely deserves more love...

[@malakbrood667]

He also did an amazing job in "Horror Show" with Iced Earth.

[@jasondixon7548]

He also trained with ankle weights

[@jamescon55]

Richard Christy is an amazing drummer 🤘. And a really cool down to earth dude as well! Actually got to hang out with Richard at Milwaukee MF (either 98 or 99🤔 Think it WAS 98? But...) , RIGHT before The Sound of Perseverance officially WAS released. I saw Richard and DEATH play the previous night and so? Being a huge DEATH fan, and a personal aspiring EXTREME METAL drummer back then, it kinda went from me saying "Hey Rich, GREAT show!" when I saw him walking outside the next day to? A couple plus hours at the bar 🍻 with the BOTH of us just drinking beers and talking drums and METAL 🥁🤘Lol. I was ALL super excited telling everyone "I got to hang out with the drummer from DEATH!!!" Lol. And then, soon after that? The Sound of Preserverence officially came out and blew everybody's minds lol. GREAT times, GREAT era too, for myself personally (musically speaking that is) 😏😎 ROCK the funk ON!!! 🤘🔥🤘

[@Dwightpower88]

He was also funny on Stern during the Artie period

[@scootermcgavin5105]

Great list from Brann! Brann is definitely one of those guys that inspired me to play when I was a kid and first heard Leviathan! I would also add John Dolmayan too he is such a beast!

[@Oxdrum34]

So stoked I’m finally seeing Mastodon live next week! Brann is definitely in my top 10 list of metal drummers. His playing has always been idiosyncratic to my ear.

[@Metalbass10000]

Dirk VerBeuren. His playing (and writing) in Soilwork is incredible, and now he's in Megadeth...

[@rubaidaallen2764]

Excellent list. My faves are Danny Carey, Brann Dailor of course, Tomas Haake, Mario Duplantier 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@aplus1080]

Check out Today is the Day's album "in the eyes of god." Wear a diaper.

[@rubaidaallen2764]

@A Plus Its amazing!!! Wear a diaper indeed 😂😂

[@Cantona_81]

Great album & band!

[@bcaliber7028]

My top 11 metal drummers (no order): Bill Ward, Lars, Charlie Benante , Dave Lombardo, Atomic Clock, Igor Cavalera, Vinnie Paul, Paul Mazurkiewicz, Nick Menza, Chris Adler, Pete Sandoval

[@StitchJones]

R.I.P. Sean. We lost you way too soon brother! You truly are one of the greatest out there. God bless man!

[@Luke-Emmanuel]

I love this video, it’s so cool hearing your influences and your identity and the beauty of how everything that we all are are borrowed and made into our own. Life

[@muttonmark]

I like his list. Brann’s legit. Lots of faves for everyone. Mine are: Brann, Tim Alexander, Danny Carey, Jean Paul Gaster, Ted Parsons, Dave Lombardo, Stephen Perkins, Gene Hoglan, John Tempesta, Nick Mason, Bill Ward

[@MrStoutfool]

A little Prong love! That’s the drummer that I thought nobody would comment on. He’s such an influential drummer on my playing. I stole all his beats! Lol Ted Parsons is the man.

[@PhilRemington]

Jean Paul Gaster is immense! Such a groovy player.

[@cfpzona]

@@PhilRemington love Clutch, JPG is a huge part of their heavy blues sound

[@WorldOfPain666]

John Paul is amazing, for such a small kit he makes it sound huge

[@GunnerHoveProjects]

Herb

[@johncobraconney7153]

Amazing list, I would add Matt Garstka personally but hes only been on the scene for a decade or so so i understand it. Love that u have Joey Jordison and Danny Carey, personal favorites of mine.

[@GunDrummer]

Very cool interview

[@user-cp9cx3ij6s]

Got to see Mastodon live this year in Seattle for the first time. Not only was the show incredible, Brann came out after the show and talked to the crowd a little bit; first time i've ever seen that after a show lol. He seems like a really good dude, glad I got the chance to see him play.

[@cthulhuferrigno6547]

I've seen them 22 times and I think Brann's addressed the crowd nearly every time, right before he hands out "pieces of wood". I also met him earlier this year at his art show in Philly and can confirm he is a great dude.

[@Jermeister12]

Yes , ABSOFRIGGIN LOOTLY 😀😀 He's an awesome dude 😀Who've I've had the pleasure of talking 2 on several occasions😀😀 I love MASTODON 😀😀😀😀They kick ass😀😀

[@stonerdemon]

1- Gene Hoglan 2- Dave Lombardo 3- Frost 4- Tomas Haake 5- Danny Carey 6- Danny Heifetz 7- Bill Ward 8- Vinnie Paul 9- Jon Stanier 10- Mike Portnoy 11- Scott Travis 12- Des Kensel

[@KUPHSER]

At least you got one black metal drummer in your list. So many drummers outside of USA he could have included

[@attilafuredi5224]

HIGH five for Danny Heifetz!

[@stonerdemon]

@@attilafuredi5224 Danny is the perfect all rounder drummer. Dude would play from bossa nova to death metal. So sad he's not part of the Mr. Bungle reunion.

[@attilafuredi5224]

@@stonerdemon Yes he really miss from the band, and McKinnon too!

[@nicholasmercado1499]

Hearing someone finally shout out Dave Witte makes me so happy. Municipal Waste songs are so fast paced and dude NEVER misses a beat and the fills are so precise and fast it’s just amazing watching him play

[@CameronFleury]

Love the list Brann! Great choices \M/

[@matsnilson7727]

Mikkey Dee is fantastic! I absolutely love his playing with King Diamond. Others have mentioned both Scott Rockenfield and Clive Burr, and I totally agree. They are/were great drummers. Dave Holland may not have been a technical marvel behind the kit, but I do miss his playing on some classic Judas Priest songs, despite Scott Travis being a far more skilled drummer. Oh, and the great Ian Paice of course. More hard rock than metal, but definitely a legend in heavy drumming.

[@petar.stoyanov]

The drummer that made get the drumsticks and try to learn how to use them was Dave Lombardo. Absolute god! I remember my drumming teacher, a local Jazz legend was quite impressed with his solos. Grip Incorporated's "Bug Juice" to me remains the greatest drumming masterpiece!

[@chriskline5159]

Super interesting list, obvious when Brann grew up and who his influences are. I'm not a musician but drumming is the driver and Brann's generation drove metal to a new, higher level. Thank you Brann's generation!

[@bradbutler]

I'm not a big Mastodon fan, but man this is the list. I love all these drummers so much!!!

[@MoCarcass]

I love that Lars is getting some - much deserved, I should add (as Brann explains) - love, instead of the inane trolling that is often associated with him! Great list. Great to listen to you, Brann - both talking and playing!🤘

[@aplus1080]

Especially dyers eve!!!1!1

[@Assimilator702]

@@aplus1080 None of the criticisms Lars receives is from his performances in those early albums. I played along with AJFA when learning to play as countless other drummers also have. It’s his more recent live performances that are the target of his criticism. However as much as I love the drumming on AJFA, hearing the stories of people involved with producing those albums, it’s evident that Lars was no where near a one take drummer. Far from it.

[@alexburchell1891]

Regardless of quality nowadays, Lars' double kick pattern from One is still one of the first double kick patterns any learning drummer tries out.

[@dadeathbomber]

Agreed but would still love to hear a less diplomatic response on Lars by Brann

[@jlobiafra]

@@alexburchell1891 which he stole from Gene hoglan

[@MrFatshit6]

Really happy to hear Dave Witte get the props he deserves. One of my favorite drummers for sure.

[@UhYeahWhateverDude]

Legit list IMHO. I could never even narrow it down to a top 100...so many things I like about different drummers' styles and sounds.

[@jasonlamar6347]

I saw the Clash of the Titans show in 91 and the energy and skill of Dave and Nick were just amazing playing in back to back sets. I'll give some love to Sean Kinney from that same show since Alice In Chains was the opener. Love Hate Love live is amazing. I get to finally see them again next month. Great list man.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Gene is amazing!! I didn’t know him till he played on the FF album! Which is still my favorite FF album Mechanize!! Beast of a album!!! This was a great!! As a bass player I really appreciate this! I’m surprised you didn’t mention Mike Portnoy

[@cfpzona]

Glad you pointed this out....I love Mechanize, it's such a throwback to Demanufacture with a newer twist and Hoglan's playing is so good on tge record. Too bad he only did that one album with FF.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

@@cfpzona cool! Glad you agree! I was totally bummed when he wasn’t on any others afterwards he is a machine!!!🤘

[@Cantona_81]

Demanufacture blew my mind when it came out!

[@IainFrame]

Love this guy. Mastodon are SO good. Recently I've been watching the studio video of Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan recording Almost easy, and the live video of Danny Carey (Tool) playing 'Pneuma'. Both phenomenal.

[@browndbeanz7446]

Brann Dailor is my favorite drummer. 🐐

[@ryanrodriguez5495]

Human is my favorite death album. It is so cool to hear what you listened to as a kid. I get to tell my kids that I grew up on mastodon and animals as leaders!

[@mmcpa]

I knew she wouldn't show up on this list, but Haruna from Lovebites is incredible. The speed she plays with such technical proficiency is amazing, and she adds so many varied fills and uses her entire impressive kit. Another drummer that could be on this list is Martin Lopez from Opeth. Just listen to the song Deliverance (album version). I actually liked Dave Lombardo's playing better on Grip Inc than I did on Slayer.

[@kennethbernal3498]

Great list. So glad you listed Mikky, Nikko, Tommy and Bill Ward. Those guys don't get nearly enough credit. Especially Tommy Aldridge. Great choice of number one. I like Vinny Appice, Clive Burr and, Charlie Benante.

[@sean8470]

great choices...well done!!!

[@u812notme]

Great list!

[@davidclark3474]

Not only is Mikkey an incredible drummer but he’s a super cool dude. Met him backstage at a Laaz Rockit show in Hollywood at the Troubador in May of 89. I was not quite 18 and he was nicer than he needed to be to a punk kid and his friend. Met King D a few months before that at NAMM in Anaheim CA. He was a gentleman as well.

[@cfpzona]

Good list Brann....I gotta add Mario Duplantier, Chris Adler, Dave McClain, Abe Cunningham and Tomas Haake to the mix.

[@SerjHassan]

Plus John Boecklin ex-DevilDriver

[@cfpzona]

@@SerjHassan 🤘🤘

[@lollie420]

Love you Brann!!! You're in my top 5 of favorite drummers of all time ♡

[@_utsav]

I love how The Rev sang that one part of Critical Acclaim and plays drums at the same time. He is nowhere near fast or technical but his drumming was colorful and groovy and not boring and repetitive.

[@BKJ-88]

Love bill wards playing. So much swing and feel.

[@aplus1080]

"The wizard" is one of the sickest f'ing drum songs everrrrrrrr.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

His playing on Johnny Blade is awesome

[@JTM1809]

Good to see Bill Ward getting some recognition. When it comes to 70's drummers, it's always Bonham, Moon, Mitchell, Baker etc. Bill Ward rarely gets mentioned, but he's on par with all those guys.

[@stabyourcat]

Great list. My favourite is Danny Walker (Intronaut, Uphill Battle, Phobia, Exhumed). Really fill heavy, technical, powerful but always plays to add to the song.

[@nxva2773]

Joey definitely the one who turned me to drumming, insanely talented, rip

[@owl509]

In my opinion: Vinnie Paul Bill Ward Gene Hoglan Danny Carrey Joey Jordison Nicko McBrain Nick Menza

[@dwrek777]

💯 Vinnie paul is top 3 maybe even 2

[@valenb2839]

Thank's for putting Bill Ward

[@grizzlyadamsmtb3012]

Scott Rockenfield is a beast too and niko mcbrain

[@danielopunk]

Igor cavalera

[@peteadambialecki7390]

The drumming on "Remission" has some of the best controlled chaotic drumming ever.

[@chrisdasta5563]

When you talk about Joey from Slipknot your sincerity is genuine. You realy adore your fellow drummers yet you are alone in your brilliance. thank you, friend.

[@stonerdemon]

Nice list. Of course it's a metal list, so no Bonham, no Peart, no Copeland, etc. But I would add Des Kensel, High On Fire's former drummer. Dude was a BEAST.

[@lucanmadramootoo890]

I'd have a lot of trouble compiling only 11 great drummers. Many are on a different level than anyone else, but they just do things a little differently. Eloy Casagrande, John Longstreth, Flo Mounier, Eugene Ryabchenko, Pete Sandoval, Joe Kahmann, Doc from Vader, Lord Marco, Polwach from Ecchymosis. So many really great drummers.

[@aplus1080]

Dude. Why aren't John L and Flo M on more mfers lists?!?! I don't even know what fucking planet I'm on anymore.

[@small092174]

Brann! You are spot on brother of the skins! My order would have been different but you picked clutch players that inspired all of us As another upstate NY guy. I was waiting to see who you named next lol. I did see you on the dethklock tour in Manhattan. Keep killing it! Great list! I know that's a lot of exclamation points 🤘🏼

[@Jokilldrum]

Nailed it for me. Hit all the influences of my drumming career

[@increasement]

Two of my favorite metal drummers that have seemingly always been underrated, Bill Tolley (Internal Bleeding) & Matt McDonough (Mudvayne)

[@Tanner_Shuck1]

Matt McDonough is criminally underrated.

[@kyleanderson3329]

Matt is absolutely slept on. Probably in part because Mudvayne just kinda disappeared and he's such an eclectic guy himself with a lot of other interests. But he's an absolute beast.

[@increasement]

@@kyleanderson3329 it likely works in his favor, being that he's a very private man, but yeah...easily one of the best in metal!

[@murderface15g13]

In no particular order: Brent Smedley - Iced Earth Jason Bittner - Shadows Fall Mike Portnoy - Dream Theater Bill Ward - Black Sabbath Marco Minneman - Kreator Danny Carey - Tool Jason Rullo - Symphony X Chris Adler - Lamb of God Aaron Kitcher - Infant Annihilator Tomas Haake - Meshuggah Evgeny Novikov - Slaughter to Prevail Karim Lechner - Septic Flesh Mike Smith - Suffocation Mario Duplantier - Gojira Gene Hoglan - Death, Strapping Young Lad

[@ACorpseWithoutSoul]

Kai Hahto Wintersun/Nightwish.

[@SupahStar247]

Dirk Verbeuren - Soilwork Richard Christy - Death John Boecklin - DevilDriver

[@thehairygull]

Haake and Meshuggah in general are my favorite

[@bertswyers3910]

this would be almost exactly my list, 46 and love all these drummers. Love the Cynic love

[@alexgolovchenko3791]

Hi, Brann! Great picks across the board, love all those players. In particular super happy to see Bill Ward and Danny Carey on your list. If there was room for twelve I'd add Josh Freeze.🎼🥁😎

[@wolfnipplechips3857]

Top list Nice Lars gets love His playing has fell of a cliff lately but he's the reason I became a drummer years ago My list off the top of me head in no order is Benante, Portnoy, McBrain, Hoglan, Kollias, Reinert, MartinLopez(exOpeth, Matt Halpern, Steve Asheim, Anup Sastry, Lombardo That'll probably change next week!

[@MikeysMorgue]

Brann is a smart man! Lars is amazing! Nice to see someone with credibility give Lars the credit he deserves! I love Lars, too!

[@puppetmaster8551]

I don’t have time to watch this right now so I’m not sure if he mentions it but he said he got in a fight defending Lars when he was a kid lol.

[@isopropyltoxicity]

Lars was never good

[@MikeysMorgue]

@@isopropyltoxicity You're right, he wasn't good. He is brilliant!

[@MikeysMorgue]

@@puppetmaster8551 He doesn't mention that in this video. But he explains why he likes Lars.

[@isopropyltoxicity]

@@MikeysMorgue yeah playing 5th grade beats while dragging and rushing half the time is so brilliant 🤡 man fucks up sad but true gtfoh