May 2018 Issue – Volume 42 • Number 5
Articles in May 2018
Terri Lyne Carrington with Lewis Porter, Blake Richardson with Between the Buried and Me, Virgil Donati with IceFish, and More!
RECORDINGS Between the Buried and Me Automata Part I The progressive metal veterans release their highly anticipated eighth full-length album. Drummer BLAKE RICHARDSON somehow takes it up a notch. Once again Blake Richardson’s fluent, musical playing is rendered brilliantly by producer…
Finding a Balance
Drummers often grapple with certain questions or problems that could be answered by simply finding the right balance between two choices. For example, a popular debate among drummers is the choice between using traditional or matched grip. Or some players…
What’s Your Favorite 1980s Metal or Hard Rock Drumming Album?
This month we dive into the third installment of our series on great ’80s drumming performances with a focus on metal and hard rock tracks. As usual we asked MD readers and social media followers for their take on the…
Next to None’s Max Portnoy
Within the international drumming community, the name Portnoy is synonymous with progressive metal. Through his work with Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment, Flying Colors, Transatlantic, and, most recently, Sons of Apollo, Mike Portnoy has garnered every award and accolade imaginable…
Eric Clapton's Jamie Oldaker
After forty years, the famed Eric Clapton cohort’s career is coming full circle.
The 42nd Annual Percussive Arts Society International Convention and Cascio Music Drummerfest 2017
The 42nd Annual Percussive Arts Society International Convention Clinics and performances abound as the industry’s biggest names gather for drumming’s largest event This past November 8–11, thousands of drummers and percussionists of all levels gathered at the Indiana Convention Center in…
Rod Morgenstein with the Dixie Dregs
The prog-rock flag bearers reunite their classic 1970s Free Fall lineup for a spring U.S. tour.
Zildjian - K Sweet Series Cymbals
Larger, darker, and thinner cymbals with just enough transparency and brightness to sit comfortably in any mix.
Santiago “Jimmy” Vela III on the Sword’s Used Future
Monstrous grooves underlie heavy riffs and Black Sabbath–inspired melodies on the group’s latest release.
101 Drums - 5.5x14 Woodfiber Snare
Lightweight and weather-resistant shell with a big, robust sound.
Paramore’s Zac Farro
Spending your teenage years making records and touring the world on a rocket ship to stardom is every young musician’s fantasy. Choosing to jump off that rocket while it’s still on a steady ascent may seem like madness. For this…
Yamaha - Tour Custom Drumset
An aptly named series designed to bring full, versatile tones to any stage and at an economical price.
Travis Orbin on Silly String II
Exploring the Session Guru’s Latest Chop-Infused Labyrinth
Bopworks - Drumsticks and Brushes
Faithful reproductions of classic models as well as contemporary designs with a vintage twist.
The Elf’s Giant
For Eddie “the Elf” Piotrowski of Edison, New Jersey, it took more than ten years of collecting and assembling to build this month’s monster setup. Piotrowski explains that his extensive collection of individual drums and reclaimed sets, which includes a…