Top 25 Favorite Drummers countdown thread! (Number 1 & 2 Up!)

[ReaperKK]

Another one point difference!

15 - Lars Ulrich
Appeared on 11 of 29 lists
Highest Finish: 5 (Adami & twosuitsluke)
3 Top 10 Finishes

Lars was my number 20 and while he is probably the worst drummer on my list from a technical point of view his speaking influence alone would've landed him in the top 5. I can remember clear as day the first time I saw Lars play which was the 3 song set for the Freddie Mercury tribute concert. He was the coolest dude with an incredible drum kit. He was really the first drummer I liked and is who inspired me to pick up drums in middle school.

It's easy to shit on him now, and he deserves it a lot of the time but when I watch those old Metallica videos I still get more excited than I do most of the other drummers on my list.

16 - Dave Lombardo
Appeared on 9 of 29 lists
Highest Finish: 4 (twosuitsluke)
4 Top 10 Finishes

My first introduction to Dave was through youtube. I saw a random video come up and was impressed which lead my down a rabbit hole for the night. The guy is a powerhouse.

[King Postwhore]

0 for 2.

I'll bite my tongue on Lars for Adami's sake.

[SwedishGoose]

Still only one for me.... never considered any of these two

[Evermind]

I know both but none would've made my list really.

[jingle.boy]

Never much of a fan of Slayer. Lars wouldn’t even touch my top 50.  Every time I hear his name, I think of the dude on YT that did “if Lars played Dance of Eternity”, and “if Portnoy played Enter Sandman”

[ReaperKK]

I've never seen that video, I gotta go check it out

[lonestar]

Never much of a fan of Slayer. Lars wouldn’t even touch my top 50.  Every time I hear his name, I think of the dude on YT that did “if Lars played Dance of Eternity”, and “if Portnoy played Enter Sandman”

Just checked it out, amazing 

[Metro]

25. No Beard
24. Bill Ward
23. No beard
22. No beard
21. Blake Richardson
20. Beard
19. Beard
18. Sometimes beard
17. No beard
16. Slight beard
15. Slight beard
14. Beard
13. Slight beard
12. No beard
11. Blue
10. Slight beard
9. Dave Lombardo
8. Used to have a beard
7. No beard
6. Gene Hoglan
5. No beard
4. No beard
3. Spock
2. Slight beard
1. Used to have a beard.

Love Metallica, but lol lars

Not a huge Slayer fan but Dave is an incredible drummer in any context.#9 on my list

[KevShmev]

Ulrich is the Keyser Söze of the music world.  The greatest trick he ever pulled was convincing some he is a good drummer.

[lonestar]

0/2 again. Didn't even consider either.


25- Alex Van Halen Should be there
24- Nope
23- Mayyybeee
22- Definitely not, and a damn shame too
21- Lock
20- Should make the list
19- Lock
18- They'd be on everyone's list if they heard them
17- Blake Richardson (Yeah)
16- Probably
15- Lock
14- Might make it, definitely worthy
13- Unfortunately no
12- Lock
11- Another unfortunately no
10- Lock
9- Not too sure...we'll see
8- Lock
7- Lock
6- No, and I hate you all that they won't make it
5- Lock
4- See #6, multiply by 1000
3- Yeah
2- Lock
1- Lock


Not Listed-
Gene Hoglan
Cozy Powell
Bill Ward
Carter Beuford
Martin Lopez
Mark Zonder
Scott Rockenfield
Stewart Copeland
Lars Ulrich
Dave Lombardo

[HOF]

Nope to both. Don’t like Metallica at all and don’t really know Lars’ playing. I’ve heard of Lombardo and maybe seen some videos but not familiar with him.

[Stadler]

25   Reasonable chance, depending.
24   No chance in hell; there are other drummers IN HIS BAND that might, though.
23   He's either going to be in someone's top ten or not on the list, so probably won't make the final.
22   No chance. I might take some crap for this one.
21   No chance; most people won't know who he is.
20   No chance.
19   No chance (part of what will possibly be the only "father/son" pair on anyone's list)
18   No chance, due to this band being a pariah around here.
17   60-40 he makes it.
16   Probably no chance, but a crying shame.  The man is a mule.
15.   Slim chance; he is arguably my vote for best drummer in his genre, though there's another guy that gets all the press.
14   One of three guys from a certain band to make my list; probably won't make the final.
13   90% lock
12   100% lock
11   Slim chance; the other guy who replaced him has a better shot.
10   Should be a 100% lock; this forum?  50-50 at best.
9   Cozy Powell (I submitted my predictions AFTER this)
8   No. 11's "other guy".   Should be 70-30 to make it.
7   Sadly, no chance. 
6    Bill Ward (Sadly, probably no chance; he's a pale shell of his former self, but some of his early live work is incendiary.)
5   SHOULD BE 100% lock.
4   100% lock
3   100% lock
2   100% lock
1   100% lock and my guess for Number One overall.

27: Carter Beauford
38: Lars Ulrich
NR: Stewart Copeland
NR:  Gene Hoglan
NR: Dave Lombardo
NR: Martin Lopez
NR:  Blake Richardson
NR: Scott Rockenfield
NR: Alex Van Halen
NR: Mark Zonder

[Adami]

25. Should be top 10 but won't cause y'all suck
24. A real reach for favorite but whatever, won't make the list anyway
23. Obvious choice. (Alex Van Halen)
22. Won't be surprised either way with this one
21. Probably gonna make the final list? Maybe?
20. Will definitely make the list
19. Not a chance, but should be if we're including metal drummers
18. Probably not, but who knows?
17. Not a chance, but an early influence on my rock/metal groove style
16. Not a chance in hell and that's fine
15. No way Jose.
14. Higher chance that Stadler votes for Hillary
13. Obviously will make collective top 5.
12. Maybe? Out of touch with forum on this stuff
11. Not gonna happen
10. Probably will make the final list
9. Lock for top 20
8. It's a crime this guy is so unknown and therefore won't make the list
7. Nah, cause liking his band used to mean you got made fun of
6. Possible? But unlikely.
5. This is the collective forum's favorite drummer.....to poop on! (Lars Ulrich)
4. Better be in the top 10. BETTER BE!
3. Kev won't be voting for this guy, but I imagine he'll rank high
2. Too obvious
1. Also super obviously in the top 5.


1/2

Yes, Lars is the butt of all the jokes. Yes, he is a lazy drummer creatively. Yes, he is often barely keeping it together live. Yes, his personality is not for everyone.

But you know what? He's also the guy that made me want to listen to rock/metal music and become a drummer in the first place. Whenever I'm playing drums and there's a mid tempo heavy groove, I always try to channel a Lars back beat. Dude has groove. This isn't a list of best drummers or most technical drummers, or whatever. It's just favorites. And for all his crap, I enjoy watching/listening to Lars a lot more than I do a lot of other drummers. So I'm happy to have him at 5.

Don't care about Lombardo.

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

Got a little bit of catching up to do. Also there were 2 major crimes committed today. 

Stewart Copeland - Didn't have him in my top 25, but was seriously considered. Had him at #34 on my full list. He's another one of those drummers that make their parts extremely musical and memorable. You instantly know it's Copeland when you hear his drumming.

Scott Rockenfield - As much as I love Queensryche, Rockenfield was never the reason. He's a good drummer that got the job done, but never stood out to me.

Crime #1 Lars Ulrich - I guess I kind of get it, but seriously? #15? .......I guess I need to remember this is a favorite drummers list. I mean, y'all are wrong, but I get it. I mean, I love Metallica in spite of Lars. Sorry Adami.... 

Crime #2 Dave Lombardo - I have no problem with him being on the list (I personally didn't even have him on my short list), but being higher than Gene Hoglan is a serious oversight, considering Lombardo wouldn't be the drummer he is without Hoglan. Plus Hoglan is better.......subjectively, I guess....

[KevShmev]

Honestly, I will take Lars finishing only at 15 as a win.  I figured he'd make the top 10 given how hugely popular his band is here, but the fact that he was left off 18 of the 29 lists is a comforting thought. 

[devieira73]

Lars didn't make my Top 25, just because I admire more other drummers than him. But I really like the musicality and sound of his drums from RTL to ReLoad, even with its changes over time, and I think his drumming on AJFA is great.

[TAC]

15 - Lars Ulrich
Appeared on 11 of 29 lists
Highest Finish: 5 (Adami & twosuitsluke)
3 Top 10 Finishes

16 - Dave Lombardo
Appeared on 9 of 29 lists
Highest Finish: 4 (twosuitsluke)
4 Top 10 Finishes

I had Dave Lombardo at #14. Seasons might be my favorite air drumming album of all time.

I had Lars at #13. I was a Metallica fan in the 80's and I thought Lars was excellent. He's not the same, but I still enjoy his playing. I think he's excellent on the new album.


List                                                 Not Listed
25                                                  Bill Ward
24 Gene Hoglan                               Blake Richardson
23                                                  Carter Beauford
22                                                  Martin Lopez
21                                                  Stewart Copeland
20
19 Mark Zonder
18
17
16
15
14 Dave Lombardo
13 Lars Ulrich
12
11 Scott Rockenfield
10 Cozy Powell
9
8 Alex Van Halen
7
6
5
4
3
2
1


7-5

[LithoJazzoSphere]

No chance on Lars, although I kind of like how his kit sounds on ReLoad, the kick in particular has such a distinctive attack to it. 

Lombardo is on my honorables.  I've reluctantly come around to being a casual Slayer fan, but for the longest time his drumming was my favorite thing about them (still is, really). 

[romdrums]

Neither guy made my list, but respect to both of them for writing the first few chapters in the book for thrash drumming.  Lombardo's drumming on Testament's The Gathering is killer!

Updated Guesses:
Updated guesses:
25. Maybe?
24. Possibly maybe? Probably not.
23. No idea
22. Mark Zonder Likely, I think
21. Highly Likely
20. Likely
19. Who knows?
18. Probably
17. Highly Likely.
16. Possibly
15. Blake Richardson. Good chance, but not definite.
14. Probably not.
13. Likely.
12. With this crowd, yes.
11. Possibly, but like 50/50 at best.
10. Likely.
9. He should be mandatory listening.
8. Likely.
7. Maybe.
6. Lock.
5. Should be a lock.
4. Likely.
3. Likely.
2. He better be a lock.
1. Lock.

[Dream Team]

Had both these guys. Lars is not a schooled drummer and not physically gifted but has written many iconic grooves and parts and was SO influential.

[The Realm]

15 - Lars Ulrich
Appeared on 11 of 29 lists
Highest Finish: 5 (Adami & twosuitsluke)
3 Top 10 Finishes

16 - Dave Lombardo
Appeared on 9 of 29 lists
Highest Finish: 4 (twosuitsluke)
4 Top 10 Finishes

2 out of 2 today.

Dave Lombardo - one of the greats of the genre but actually didn't think he would get the votes to make this list. I actually have not actively listened to Slayer for a number of years however those first few Slayer albums were a major highlight and influence from my teenage years. I'll never forget the first time I heard Seasons in the Abyss, just legendary drumming. My rank 6.

Lars Ulrich - yeah just way too easy to bash Lars these days. Honestly, anyone who does 'wasn't there' in the 1980s. Lars was extremely influential and he was everywhere in the 80s. Sure, he overplays live but when you are in person at a Metallica gig it is still awesome. Its a list of favourites, so he had to be there for me. My rank 10.

[wolfking]

25.  Lars Ulrich
24.  Gene Hoglan
23.  Cozy Powell
22.   
21.   
20.   
19.   
18.   
17.   
16.   
15.  Scott Rockenfield
14.   
13.   
12.   
11.
10.  Bill Ward
9.   
8.  Blake Richardson
7.   
6.   
5.  Mark Zonder
4.   
3.
2.
1.

Rockenfield at 15 and Lars at 25.  Lombardo is great but never liked him as much as others.  Can't complain at his ranking here though.

[coz]

6/12 overall.  Good call Dream Team for pointing out the sound of Rockenfield's drums being iconic.

Can't add much to what others have already said about Stewart.  Much like Carter, love his energy, crisp attack and splashes of splashes.
Yes, it's easy to rag on Lars' playing the last...20 years or so.  But I'm old enough to remember when he was a drumming inspiration in real time.  His live performance is painful nowadays and overall makes current live Metallica unlistenable for me.  I still wonder how much studio wizardry is used on his drumming the last three studio albums.  He finished higher than I thought he would.  Starting to wonder if he would actually make it.
Lombardo is a surprise.  Didn't expect him to make it here.  Almost made my 25.

25. I think this maniac will be picked
24. Dirty chance he'll make it
23. Pretty sure you'd say "who"?
22. I miss this guy.  Wish he was still with us.  Not gonna make it here. :'(
21. This weirdo won't make it.  40 years and 14 studio albums with the same original quartet+.  Impressive stuff.
20. Carter Beauford A unique cat whose style is highly revered in drumming circles.  Not sure here though.
19. Larz Huge name.  Guaranteed pick.
18. Spicy lefty.  He has a shot.
17. Martin Lopez  In 2005, a no-brainer to be on here.  Today.  Maybe?
16. Probably won't be here.  It's a crime.
15. 100% this monster's here.
14. Alex Van Halen  Brother of a legend on one of our other lists.  Won't be surprised if he makes this list.
13. Groove metal master.  Won't make the list though.
12. Another real cool cat.  A rock player with a huge jazz background.  I'm gonna say he won't be named here.
11. Stewart Copeland Classic rocker who's very likely.
10. Blake Richardson Also very likely but not a classic rocker.
9. Liked him before, but since the band's 3rd release in 93 I have loved his playing.  Not going to make the list.
8. He started further down my list.  But the more I thought about it, his talent and style make him absolutely unique.  Probably.
7. This forum?  Of course.
6. Prog dude.  Pretty sure he'll be here.
5. Not sure on him.  Highly respected, but not sure how well his name is known outside the drumming community.
4. Second one on my list who's known by a nickname.  (My first draft had three).  Not going to be named here.
3. For sure.  Legend
2. I've thought mostly highly and sometimes low of this guy.  He's still my number 2 basher though.
1. The master

29. Dave Lombardo
42. Bill Ward

[coz]

Rockenfield ... Livecrime is a top 3 live album of all time, and he's probably a bigger reason than Tate for that.

Good call jingle.  Livecrime was a huge deal when it came out.

[twosuitsluke]

I'm 2/2 with Ulrich and Lombardo.

As a big thrash guy, and Slayer and Metallica being arguably the two biggest bands that got me into metal, these two were always going to make it.

As others have said, it's easy to bash Lars, but he is so influential and has written some of my favourite drum parts. At his peak, creatively, during the Justice era, his drumming was at it's most technical and I love to air drum to that stuff the most, plus follow the kick drum patterns. If we were rating what we thought were the 'best' drummers, then he wouldn't have made the list, but were rating our favourites, so here we are.

Lars is not a schooled drummer and not physically gifted but has written many iconic grooves and parts and was SO influential.

This basically.

Lombardo is a much better player, and the first time I heard his double kick drumming in Angel of Death, I was sold. Slayer are one of my absolute favourite bands, and Dave is a big part of this.

25.
24.
23.
22.
21.
20.
19. Gene Hoglan
18.
17.
16.
15.
14. Martin Lopez
13.
12.
11.
10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5. Lars Ulrich
4. Dave Lombardo
3.
2.
1.

[pg1067]

15 - Lars Ulrich


16 - Dave Lombardo

I had Ulrich at #10.  I hear really cool parts in really cool songs.  His apparent technical inadequacies are of no concern to me.  Not a Slayer fan, so Lombardo wasn't up for consideration.


25   Maybe...not sure
24   Probably not
23   I'd say 60-70% chance no
22   Probably
21   Probably not
20   Probably not
19   90% yes
18   Nein
17   Absolutely should be, but I'm thinking less than 50/50
16   Nope
15   Not even a little chance
14   No way, eh
13   90+% yes
12   Not a chance
11   Nope
10   Lars Ulrich (I think yes, only about 60% sure)
9   Bill Ward (Should be...75+% likely)
8   75+% likely
7   Cozy Powell (50/50)
6   Scott Rockenfield (Hmmm...really not sure, but I think less than 50/50)
5   Same band as #8 - one of them should make it, if not both
4   90+% yes
3   Lock
2   Mark Zonder (Might sneak in around 21-25)
1   Lock for top 3

Not ranked:  Gene Hoglan, Blake Richardson, Carter Beauford, Alex Van Halen, Martin Lopez, Stewart Copeland, Dave Lombardo

[KevShmev]

Lars Ulrich - yeah just way too easy to bash Lars these days. Honestly, anyone who does 'wasn't there' in the 1980s. Lars was extremely influential and he was everywhere in the 80s. Sure, he overplays live but when you are in person at a Metallica gig it is still awesome. Its a list of favourites, so he had to be there for me. My rank 10.

Hogwash.  Now, if you want to argue that those of us who started listening to Metallica in the 90s don't get it because the 80s was the only decade where Lars was worth a damn and we didn't experience it in real time, I might be able to get on board with that, but does that overcome decades of incompetence and horrible live playing?  He is the poster child for "I stopped caring about my craft once I (my band) made it."   

[King Postwhore]

I was there in the 80's and he was nothing special. Solid drummer for the style of music but was average at best compared to so many other drummers

[TAC]

I was there in the 80's and he was nothing special. Solid drummer for the style of music but was average at best compared to so many other drummers

Maybe if you stepped out of Chess King once in a while…

[King Postwhore]

I was there in the 80's and he was nothing special. Solid drummer for the style of music but was average at best compared to so many other drummers

Maybe if you stepped out of Chess King once in a while…

Sadly, I did shop there. Lol

[ReaperKK]

0/2 for me today

13 - Keith Moon
Appeared on 11 of 29 lists
Highest Finish: 3 (lonestar)
4 Top 10 Finishes

Never a Who fan so I was never really exposed to Keith's playing

14 - Ringo Starr
Appeared on 8 of 29 lists
Highest Finish: 3 (coz)
5 Top 10 Finishes (4 Top 5 Finishes)

Not really surprised he made the list, although I'm a bit surprised at the number of top 10 finishes by those who did list Ringo. Ask my thoughts about Ringo ten years ago and I would've told you he was the luckiest person in the Beatles but my tune has changed a lot. After multiple discography listens plus the Peter Jackson film my respect for him as a player has grown immensely.

[Adami]

0/2

[SwedishGoose]

0 / 2 and still only one in total

[jingle.boy]

2/2.

Thank god Moon made it - RJ doesn’t have to hate you all now!  I’m surprised Ringo made it, tbh. But, for the guy that basically invented rock and roll drumming, yeah … he makes the list.

[Metro]

25. No Beard
24. Bill Ward
23. No beard
22. No beard
21. Blake Richardson
20. Beard
19. Beard
18. Keith Moon
17. No beard
16. Slight beard
15. Slight beard
14. Beard
13. Slight beard
12. No beard
11. Blue
10. Slight beard
9. Fu manchu
8. Used to have a beard
7. No beard
6. Gene Hoglan
5. No beard
4. No beard
3. Spock
2. Slight beard
1. Used to have a beard


Keith Moon, now there’s a man who knows how to hit things with a stick. #18.

Ringo Starr, iconic for sure but didn’t make my list.