Top 20 Underrated Rock Drummers

Genesis
It may seem strange to label Phil Collins from Genesis as “underrated,” given the massive success achieved by this British prog rock institution. That said, Collins’ public profile largely shifted from drummer to lead vocalist after the departure of Peter Gabriel from the band’s ranks. This shift also affected the musical trajectory of Genesis, as more streamlined arrangements made that window for progressive drumming feel smaller and smaller. Yet we can never discount how hard-hitting and inventive Collins was behind the kit. His playing always made each Genesis song better and more impactful, a dizzying rhythm machine with both chops and compositional knowledge.

Green Day
The world of punk rock isn’t historically a place where a high level of musicianship can be found or maintained. Or is it? Many of the genre’s fans might dispute this assumption, particularly when taking into account the talents of one Tré Cool. The Green Day drummer is a whirlwind behind that kit, driving each song home with kinetic energy. Granted, the band’s arrangements have largely slowed down over the years, incorporating more classic rock moves. Yet Tré Cool remains consistently energetic as a timekeeper, ensuring that Green Day’s punk rock roots remain intact, just as they explore more expansive creative pastures.

Whitesnake/Ozzy Osbourne/Black Oak Arkansas
The life of a drummer can often be that of a journeyman, moving from project to project, wherever one’s services are needed. Tommy Aldridge has spent time behind the kits of numerous, high-profile rock acts over the years, from Black Oak Arkansas to Whitesnake to the Ozzy Osbourne band. Aldridge has consistently adapted his playing to fit each situation, from the southern-fried rock of BOA to the bluesy glam metal of Whitesnake. The man’s naturally hard-hitting style served this edgier side of rock particularly well, with Tommy Aldridge becoming something of an underrated legend in his own time.

Guns N’ Roses
This hard-driving rock act had no shortage of larger-than-life personalities. Sure, Slash, Axl and Duff may have received a lot of attention, but Guns N’ Roses also possessed a number of notable drummers. Matt Sorum served a bit longer in the group’s ranks, but for our money, it was Steven Adler’s unique style that better serviced GNR’s landmark “Appetite for Destruction.” Adler utilized a small, minimalist approach to his kit, but he managed to do SO much with what he had. Nearly every song on “Appetite” features a cowbell (which is always welcome in our book) and Adler’s innate sense of rhythm creates urgency and excitement with every beat.

Deep Purple
There have been a dizzying amount of lineup changes within Britain’s Deep Purple, yet drummer Ian Paice remains a constant presence. His aggressive, devil-may-care attitude to drumming assisted in making Purple a pioneering force for heavy metal. The group’s early psychedelic sound became heavier and heavier over the years, and Paice’s drumming followed suit. One need only listen to songs like “Highway Star'' or “Burn” to hear how insanely fast Paice’s playing was for the time. Yet, the man could also lay back in the pocket and play a restrained, bluesy groove, to boot. Simply said: Ian Paice could do it all.

Black Sabbath
There’s little we can add to the legacy that is Black freaking Sabbath. Yet what we can do is offer some flowers to their secret weapon: Bill Ward. This is because, for all of the attention Sabbath rightfully receives for their crushing heaviness, Ward remains underrated as a man who offers texture. The drummer actually does a lot of creative things behind Sabbath’s wall of sound, from dextrous jazz moves to technical exercises that never come across as too excessive. Bill Ward, for lack of a better phrase, services the song. He makes every Sabbath tune more exciting and enjoyable, creating layers of metal magic with his measured, intentional skill.

Motörhead
There’s a surface level appreciation that often comes with the music of Motörhead. The music here is often aggressive, it’s true, but the drumming of both Mikkey Dee and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor could also hang back, when required. This goes part-and-parcel with songwriter Lemmy’s underrated ability to craft ballads just as easily as high-octane rockers. At the same time, we’d be remiss in NOT underlining how Taylor’s over-the-top personality and runaway train approach to drumming influenced Motörhead’s music. Taylor’s double-kick attack served as part of an unholy trinity with Lemmy’s blower bass and “Fast” Eddie Clarke’s sandpaper guitar. He was, quite frankly, one of a kind.

The Smashing Pumpkins
Those who were around during the alternative rock heyday can probably recall how many bands eschewed fancy musicianship for gut-check minimalism. This was thankfully NOT the case with The Smashing Pumpkins, as evidenced not only by Billy Corgan’s guitar work, but also the drumming of Jimmy Chamberlin. This was a group that could’ve easily laid back in the studio, but instead chose to allow Chamberlin to lead the charge with an aggressive attack behind the kit. Just check out the propulsive groove behind Pumpkins tracks like “Tonight, Tonight” or “Zero” for proof of how Jimmy Chamberlin was the band’s secret weapon.

Blur
There’s a wonderful clash of styles present within the Britpop music of Blur. Historical influences such as The Beatles and The Kinks clash with an aggressive modernism, anchored by drummer Dave Rowntree’s old-school approach to timekeeping. Rowntree’s drumming never tries to show off too much, instead working together with Blur’s compositions to create hooks, tension and excitement. Blur could be both heavy and melodic, and Rowntree’s drumming could easily vacillate between these two worlds. It was a match made in heaven for fans of British rock music, and Rowntree was absolutely a pioneer in his field.

Iron Maiden
Nicko McBrain may be the longest serving drummer of Iron Maiden, but some fans argue that Clive Burr was the best skinsman the band ever employed. Burr’s energy level was off the charts on Maiden’s first three records, and his playing style brought with it a loose unpredictability. The New Wave of British Heavy Metal was strong with this one, as Clive Burr played fast and heavy during a period when Maiden was still finding its creative voice. His fills propelled songs like “The Prisoner” to new heights, and he even co-wrote a tune on “The Number of the Beast,” titled “Gangland.” Iron Maiden are considered heavy metal icons for a reason, and Clive Burr absolutely helped them earn these stripes during their early years.

Megadeth
The world of thrash metal isn’t exactly a place where one might expect to find a jazz fusion influence, yet here we are with Megadeth’s Gar Samuelson. This insanely talented drummer may have only played on the band’s first two records, but his legacy as a generational talent remains secure. Samuelson brought with him a technical ability that allowed Megadeth to come across as true riff surgeons. His jazz-influenced chops made songs like “Wake Up Dead” and “Devils Island” feel like speed metal symphonies, but Samuelson could honestly play just about any style. Those first two Megadeth records frankly don’t sound like anything else at the time, and the drum performances elevate both LPs to genre classic status.

U2
The music of U2 is often built upon layers; a cohesive construction of melody, composition and style. Sure, the guitar work of The Edge and Bono's instantly recognizable vocals may be the star of U2's show, but it's the confident and restrained drumming of Larry Mullen, Jr. which drives home the show for these rock legends. Experience in his school's marching band laid the groundwork for Mullen's career as a drummer, and served as a major influence toward the strong and propulsive rhythm Mullen would utilize on such classic U2 songs as "New Year's Day," "Pride (In the Name of Love)" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday."

Bloc Party/Algiers
Matt Tong may be more recent than some of the other drummers on today's list but he nevertheless earns his position as an underrated drummer, thanks to his popular work with the indie band known as Bloc Party. Tong actually parted ways with the band in 2013, but he has continued impressing audiences through his work with Algiers. Matt is known to have a fun and loose groove, borrowing both from dance, pop and house genres while giving each song a firm identity of their own.

The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses gained a massive amount of success and influence when they first broke through from their native Britain in the late 1980s. The band's combination of classic rock heritage and interesting indie influences spoke to both fans and musicians alike, the latter of which paid particular attention to the smart kit work of Stone Roses' singularly-named drummer, Reni. Indeed, Reni's deceptively complex and tight drum performances earned retroactive praise from Oasis founders Noel and Liam Gallagher, who maintained the Roses as a big time influence towards their own musical dreams during the early 90s.

Def Leppard
Let’s not forget for a moment how, against all odds, Rick Allen turned tragedy into triumph after the loss of his left arm. However, we can also appreciate just how great Allen has ALWAYS been as a drummer, particularly during Def Leppard’s early years. The band’s commercially viable heavy metal retained credibility via Allen’s muscular approach to the drums. Vintage Lep jams like “Lady Strange” and “Let It Go” to mini-epics like “Die Hard the Hunter” and “Billy’s Got a Gun” all feature Rick Allen in fine form. Meanwhile, the drummer can also let it rip on faster tunes like “Stagefright” and “Wasted” to underline the innate talent and skill behind each Def Leppard record.

Muse
Progressive rock lives on within the pioneering spirit of Muse, who first burst forth from their native Devon in 1994. Much of this musical influence can be felt within the powerful drum performances of the band's man behind the kit, Dominic Howard. The skinsman's dedication to the driving rhythms of prog's past, combined with his embracing of modern technology and ideas makes Howard an influential musician in his own right. Whether it's his unique take on spaghetti western soundtrack tunes in "Knights of Cydonia," or sheer chaos of "Stockholm Syndrome," Dominic Howard's place amongst rock's most underrated drummers is solidly secure.

The Mars Volta/Queens of the Stone Age
The Texas-based rock band The Mars Volta also have a strong progressive rock spirit burning through their musical hearts, thanks to the number of intensely powerful drummers the band have employed behind the kit. Jon Theodore performed on the band's breakthrough albums “Frances the Mute” and “De-loused in the Crematorium,” while Thomas Pridgen saddled up with the band in 2006 prior to their “Bedlam in Goliath” album. Both drummers were notable for their textured and unique styles, with Theodore eventually going on to join desert rockers Queens of the Stone Age after the release of their 2013 album, “...Like Clockwork.”

The Clash
The Clash may be one of the most iconic punk rock bands of all time, but they're also one of the most musically talented, thanks in part to the performances of one Topper Headon behind the drum kit. Headon and his Clash crew bucked the punk rock trend of musical minimalism by employing influences as diverse as dub and reggae into their band's pissed 'n political sound. Aggressive anthems like "White Riot" and "I Fought the Law" are just a few of the interesting hits for those seeking out more of the band's work, yet it's Headon's strength and versatility as a drummer which makes him one of the most impressive aspects of The Clash as a unit.

Primus
The unclassifiable Californian trio that is Primus are another band on our list to have featured not one, but two fantastic drummers within their lineup. Primus may be ever anchored by guitarist Larry LaLonde and bassist extraordinaire Les Claypool, but it's the position behind the drum kit which has always served as a driving force behind the band's heavy, alternative funk sound. Both Tim Alexander and Brian "Brain" Mantia have kept time in Primus, with Alexander returning to the band for Primus' 2014 album, “Primus and the Chocolate Factory” with the Fungi Ensemble. Alexander's dizzying, polyrhythmic style takes the cake for our list, as evidenced by such groovy Primus jams as "Mr. Krinkle" and "Jerry was a Race Car Driver."

Before we name our number one pick, here are some honorable mentions!

Alex Van Halen, Van Halen
A Rock Solid Rhythm Master

Matt Helders, Arctic Monkeys
Indie Rock Timekeeper

John Dolmayan, System of a Down
Dynamic & Propulsive Drumming

Frank Zappa/Missing Persons
If it's true that a band is only as good as their drummer, then that band has probably employed Terry Bozzio. This underrated drummer cut his teeth and built a reputation performing with Frank Zappa throughout the 1970s, before forming the successful New Wave band Missing Persons alongside ex-wife Dale Bozzio in 1980. It's Bozzio's ability to move with ease from intensely complex jazz rhythms to driving hard rock, which makes him a secret weapon within the musical community. This was showcased within Bozzio's career throughout the 90s and beyond, which saw the drummer collaborating with Mike Patton's Fantomas as well as Korn, on their 2007 “Untitled” album. The skills of Terry Bozzio are proof positive that talent can be timeless.

Does the drummer make the band? Who are some of your all-time favorites? Let us know in the comments!