Brian Hill

Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.

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Klaw Drum Anchor: Slip It, Grip It, Rip It!

Adam Stone of Klaw sent Modern Drummer a Klaw kick drum anchor, to try out. Klaw was designed out of necessity to help keep creeping kick drums from slipping away during play. As per Adam: “The days of cinder blocks…

By Brian Hill
Aug 1, 2025

Rustic Percussion's Padauk Temple Blocks: A True Passion For Quality

Rustic Percussion was founded in 2018 by Percussionist-Drummer, Ryan Langford, in an effort to make high quality, craftsmanship worthy, percussion instruments. As well as playing these instruments on the job, Ryan is truly a wood craftsman! Rustic Percussion’s various instruments…

By Brian Hill
Aug 1, 2025

Ludwig Universal Model Snare Drums—Six Sweet Cherry Plies

Let’s take a Modern Drummer Product Close-Up look at the newest version of an iconic classic snare drum from yesteryear. But first, let’s take a quick look back in time. The Ludwig “Universal” Model Snare Drums were first introduced in…

By Brian Hill
Feb 1, 2025

Baldman Percussion Presents: The Junk Hat 2.0!

New Junk for Sound Junkies! Mike McKee and his partner in comedy (or rather, drumming!), Danny Young, are two bald headed working drummers and percussion builders based in Nashville, TN. They call themselves Baldman Percussion. Through trial and error, these…

By Brian Hill
Jan 1, 2025

A Year in Reviews

2024 was a great year for new drum gear, in this year alone I have reviewed new drum sets, new snare drums, some new cymbals, and some new thrones. As always, when I review a product, I really review the…

By Brian Hill
Dec 1, 2024
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Yamaha Tour Custom Maple Shells

One Beautifully Cohesive Instrument The badge on the drum says, “Handcrafted Since 1967.” The year of the Summer of Love. Ok! To me, that also says that Yamaha has had some time to get really good at making drums and…

Brian Hill
Jul 1, 2024

Trinity 18” Heavy Holey Crash

Trinity Cymbals are HEAVY Trinity Cymbals have been around for several years. However, the cymbals themselves seem much older than the U.S. distribution that brings them to us today. Trinity Cymbals was officially founded in 2019 in Weaverville, CA, in…

Brian Hill
Jun 1, 2024
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