Tag Archives: heavy metal drummers

Features, In Memoriam

Founding Slipknot Drummer Joey Jordison Has Died (1975-2021)

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While still rattled from yesterdays news about the shocking passing of Metal Church’s Mike Howe, we learned just a short time ago that founding Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison (born Nathan Jonas Jordison) has died at age 46. A statement from his family is below the photo.

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Family Statement:
“We are heartbroken to share the news that Joey Jordison, prolific drummer, musician and artist passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 26th, 2021. He was 46,” the statement reads. “Joey’s death has left us with empty hearts and feelings of indescribable sorrow.”

“To those that knew Joey, understood his quick wit, his gentle personality, giant heart and his love for all things family and music,” it continued. “The family of Joey have asked that friends, fans and media understandably respect our need for privacy and peace at this incredibly difficult time. The family will hold a private funeral service and asks the media and public to respect their wishes,”.

Slipknot Official Statement:
Our hearts go out to Joey’s family and loved ones at this time of tremendous loss. Joey Jordison’s art, talent, and spirit could not be contained or be held back. Joey’s impact on Slipknot, on our lives, and on the music that he loved, is incalculable. Without him there would be no us. We mourn his loss with the entire Slipknot family. We love you, Joey.

***

Official Artist Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Jordison

Features, PiercingMetal Says

Soilwork’s Drummer Dirk Verbeuren Joins Megadeth

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Well this was some interesting and unexpected information to find out happening but I guess in the end it makes the most sense. As you well know, Chris Adler was doing live drums for Megadeth after recording their most recent album “Dystopia”. When Chris had to return to Lamb Of God activity, the role was temporarily filled by Soilwork’s Dirk Verbeuren who is a monster drummer. Well, Dirk received a call from Dave Mustaine and the outcome is below in the press release. Check it out.

Logo - Megadeth

DIRK VERBEUREN NAMED AS FULL-TIME DRUMMER FOR MEGADETH – MEGADETH’S DYSTOPIA WORLD TOUR ROLLS ON WITH UPCOMING DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY

LOS ANGELES, CA – July 14, 2016 – MEGADETH are happy to announce the addition of Dirk Verbeuren as the band’s new drummer. Verbeuren, formerly of Swedish metal band Soilwork, has been performing with the band for months, his first show was Rock on The Range festival in May, to a crowd of 40,000 concertgoers.

Most recently, Lamb Of God drummer Chris Adler had performed all the drums on the band’s latest album, Dystopia, and had toured with MEGADETH when not otherwise busy with his band.

Said bandleader Dave Mustaine: “Chris Adler’s contributions are sure to be felt for years to come. Megadeth has been revitalized by Chris’ playing, as well as his excellent suggestion of Dirk Verbeuren to drum with us. Tremendous thanks to Chris, and a big welcome to Dirk.”

New drummer Verbeuren had this to say: “Dave, David and Kiko, I’m thankful for your warm welcome and thrilled at the opportunity to perform and create badass music with you guys. Chris Adler, thank you for introducing me to Megadeth – and for your encouragement and support.”
Continue reading Soilwork’s Drummer Dirk Verbeuren Joins Megadeth →

Features, In Memoriam

Ex-Motorhead Skin Basher Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor Has Died (1954-2015)

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A short time ago I saw a trusted friend in media sharing the post made by “Fast” Eddie Clark who was informing his friends, fans and followers that the former Motorhead drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor had passed away after an undisclosed illness. He was 61 years old.

Photo - Philthy Animal Taylor - 2015

Philthy was born Phil Taylor back in 1954 and was a part of the Mark IV era of the band Motorhead. For many Metal heads this was the bands most influential period and of the ten albums that Taylor recorded with them, there are diamonds among the gold in such works as “On Parole” (1975/1979), “Motörhead” (1977), “Overkill” (1979), “Bomber” (1979), “Ace of Spades” (1980), “No Sleep ’til Hammersmith” (1981), “Iron Fist” (1982), “Another Perfect Day” (1983), “Rock ‘n’ Roll” (1987), “1916” (1991) and “March ör Die” (1992). I didn’t listen to Motorhead straight away as I was a diehard KISS person with some Van Halen and Judas Priest following up but when I did with the incredible “Ace Of Spades” album and the follow-up live effort “No Sleep Til Hammersmmith” I was sold and it was largely because of Taylors drumming. As a young musician at the time, the speed and ferocity of his style just blew me away and once I had begun to enjoy it did my best to learn numerous tracks for my own bands. Sadly I would never see Motorhead in concert until many years later and by that time Taylor had been out of the lineup for quite a while. I admit to not following much of his career after Motorhead but I am still thankful for the pounding sounds that he gave us with the band for so many years. He inspired so many young drummers of the time and is to be commended by it. As the full details are still sketchy around his passing other than by saying “illness”, I will close out this memorial missive with a thank you for the music and a respectful bow of the head in condolence to his family, close friends and former band mates along with his many worldwide fans who are coming to terms with this sad news. Rest In Peace Philthy, you were like no one else.

Official Artist Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Taylor_%28musician%29
Official Motorhead: http://www.imotorhead.com

Features, PiercingMetal Says

Twisted Sister Names Mike Portnoy As New Drummer

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Back on March 20th, 2015 the Metal World said goodbye to drummer A.J. Pero who passed away of a heart attack while on tour with Adrenaline Mob. PiercingMetal reflected upon that loss in THIS MEMORIAL. Earlier today the members of Twisted Sister released a bit of press announcing Pero’s replacement for their touring obligations and how this will lead to the disbanding of the mighty band. Check that out below along with some photos that I snapped of Mike Portnoy on the drums at other shows.

Logo - Twisted Sister

TWISTED SISTER HONORS A.J. PERO WITH TRIBUTE CONCERTS ON THE EAST AND WEST COASTS, WELCOMES NEW DRUMMER
and ANNOUNCES FAREWELL SHOWS IN 2016 TO MARK 40TH ANNIVERSARY

The Press Copy:
New York, NY (April 8, 2015)—It was with heavy hearts that Twisted Sister said goodbye to their drummer A.J. Pero, who passed away on March 20.
Continue reading Twisted Sister Names Mike Portnoy As New Drummer →

Features, In Memoriam

Shocking!!! Twisted Sister’s A.J. Pero Passes Away (3/20/2015)

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It’s with great sadness that I must announce that drummer A.J. Pero of Twisted Sister and Adrenaline Mob has passed away. Reports are minimal at the point of this writing since it is absolutely a recent occurrence but the bands brief official statement can be found below:

“The members of Twisted Sister are profoundly saddened to announce the untimely passing of our brother, AJ Pero; The band, crew and most importantly the family of AJ Pero thank you for your thoughts and prayers at this time”.

The members of Adrenaline Mob who AJ was currently touring with added their own statement which I am putting in the memorial as well.

“We write this with tears in our eyes & our hearts broken to pieces.. our beloved brother AJ Pero peacefully passed away in his sleep this morning on the bus. We are in complete shock & our hearts & prayers go out to his family. It has been nothing short of an honor to have shared the stage with such a beautiful soul & legend! We love you AJ, rest in peace. We will cherish this last picture we all took together on tour forever! What a great night we had… we’ll miss you buddy!”

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A.J. was born Anthony Jude Pero in 1959 and was a longtime Staten Island resident. He joined Twisted back in 1982 and was responsible for the drumming on some of the bands most influential works. Speaking personally, Pero was one of my own favorite drummers when I was learning the craft as I found his power and solid manner of playing to be right up my alley. One of my favorites to do in his style was “What You Don’t Know”, and this song actually helped me firm up interest in a band that I had no idea I was auditioning for at the time. Sigh. Pero would not be a part of the Sister lineup when he briefly rejoined Cities. Sister activity would be light for many years after until their 2001 return to recording and performance and it was awesome to hear the pounding thunder of Pero back on the kit for their reunion shows and eventual Twisted Christmas gigs. Over the years I was fortunate enough to meet him for a hot second after shows and he seemed quite the cool cat who was very interested in the support he was being given. When Twisted Sister performance activity slowed down based on various reasons and projects, Pero joined up as the latest member of Adrenaline Mob alongside Russell Allen and Mike Orlando. His input worked with the ever changing sound of the band for sure.
Continue reading Shocking!!! Twisted Sister’s A.J. Pero Passes Away (3/20/2015) →