Matt Halpern Releases Signature Drumsticks

Matt Halpern Pro Mark Signature Drumsticks

Introducing Matt Halpern Promark Signature Stick

Promark is excited to announce the Matt Halpern signature stick. This stick – designed to the Periphery drummer’s specs – has a front weighted feel to optimize power and speed while producing full/robust tones from the drums and cymbals.

Matt Halpern Drumsticks

The Matt Halpern stick is a standard 16” in length and .630” diameter. Although 2B in size this stick plays more like a 5B. The short taper and large round tip give this stick a well-balanced, front weighted feel to optimize power and speed while producing full/robust tones from the drums and cymbals. For more specs look here.

Matt Halpern Performs “Lune”, from Periphery III: Select Difficulty

Matt Plays: Evans Heavyweight Drumheads

Matt Halpern Evan Heavyweight Snare DrumheadEvans Snare Heavyweight Drumheads
Evans Heavyweight heads feature a combination of two identical plies of 10mil film to provide maximum durability and a compressed attack while maintaining a wide dynamic range. The Reverse Dot lends extra durability, focus and attack in the center. Evans Level 360 technology is incorporated to extend the level playing surface of the drumhead, 360 degrees around the drum. Detailed specs on this Snare head can be found here.

Matt Halpern Evan Heavyweight Bass Drum HeadsEvans Bass Drum Heavyweight Drumheads
Evans EMAD Heavyweight series features two plies of film. The combination of two identical plies of 10mil film provides maximum durability and a compressed attack while maintaining a wide dynamic range. The EMAD Heavyweight contains two interchangeable damping rings that maximize attack and low-end without removing the head or reaching inside the drum.

Matt Halpern on the New Evans EMAD Heavyweight Bass Head

Matt Halpern Quick Facts

After college Matt toured extensively with a couple bands and eventually joined up with instrumental group, Animals as Leaders. After performing with the group in 2009, Matt had the opportunity to join progressive metal band Periphery, and he’s been with them ever since.

Performing and touring all over the world, Matt and Periphery have shared the stage with bands such as Dream Theater, Gojira, Lamb of God, the Dillinger Escape Plan, August Burns Red, Arch Enemy and many more.

Related links: Matt’s Site, Periphery Site.

Chad Smith Holds Masterclass In London

Chad Smith Drum Kit

Red Hot Chili Peppers Drummer Chad Smith Holds Masterclass At ACM London

On Wednesday, December 7, the Academy Of Contemporary Music (ACM) was pleased to welcome long-standing patron of their Guildford campus Chad Smith through the doors of ACM London for the very first time.

Using a rare day off from the Red Hot Chili Peppers U.K. tour, Chad came down to ACM London for a masterclass held exclusively for ACM students and two competition winners.

“This is my first time at ACM London, although I have a room named after me at ACM Guildfordthe Chad Smith Room,” Chad said.

A Huge Fan Of London

London, to me, is such an important musical city, and when I was growing up as a kid, the bands that I loved and the drummers that I loved the most were from England and a lot of them were from London; drummers like Keith Moon, Charlie Watts, Mitch Mitchell — so important to drumming history and for what they bring to music and how they influenced me. So it’s a real honor to be in the city and to come to a school where kids are learning to play music and drums. Just to be able to come and give back a little bit — I’m just really excited and happy to be here.”

Rhythm Magazine Collaboration

Held in partnership with Rhythm magazine, the masterclass was hosted by ACM‘s head of creative industry development Ace (also the guitarist in Skunk Anansie). The class included an intimate performance in the Academy’s live performance room, before they headed upstairs to the lecture room for a question-and-answer session.

Said Rhythm editor Chris Burke: “As one of the U.K.‘s biggest music colleges, with great facilities, top tutors and great courses for drummers, ACM is a perfect partner for Rhythm magazine. Like ACM, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive educational content with video drum lessons from the U.K.‘s finest tutors given away every month on the ‘Rhythm Lessons’ CD.” Read more at Blabbermouth.

Drum Apps To Enjoy During Christmas!

As We All Know No-One Can Hide From It As Drum Apps Is Evereywhere, On Your Smartphone Or Tablet

We’ve Picked The Coolest Drum Apps That’ll Help You Create New Beats, AND at The Same Time Iprove Yor Dumming Skills

Impaktor – The Drum Synthesizer By BeepStreet

Impaktor is a drum synthesizer with a vast sonic palette, that turns any surface into a playable percussion instrument.

You just slap your desk like you would a real drum. The real acoustical impulses from the built-in microphone are used as an excitation source for advanced sound modules that simulates behavior of membranes, cymbals, metallophones or strings. This makes Impaktor a highly responsive and expressive instrument.

With semi-modular architecture and several types of synthesis, Impaktor can produce a wide range of tones, from acoustic, like Tabla, Djembe, Marimba, Cymbals, Metal bars to electronic or industrial sounds.

Enjoy the most realistic virtual drumming experience available for mobile devices! Works with: iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5S, 5C, iPod Touch 4th gen and all iPads

Like most other Drum Apps it requires headphones. Works best with headphones without built-in microphone.

Price: $4.99

Drum Guru (FREE)

Drum Guru is an app for Apple’s iPad and iPhone and Google Android that features lesson “packs” taught by pro drummers demonstrating great grooves, fills, and sharing other insights and techniques.

Drum Guru is the only app of its kind that features real, pro drummers teaching you one-on-one their signature grooves, licks and fills!

Each lesson pack features a “Lesson Mode” and “Practice Mode”.

In Lesson Mode, you will see a video demonstrating the lesson. You can hit the 1/2 speed button to actually slow down the video in both normal size and also in full screen.

In Practice Mode, you will find the lesson written out and can hear it played. You can also pause, loop, and adjust the tempo so you can better learn the lesson.

Price: Free

Ratatap Drums

The harder you hit the drums, the louder they sound. Swirl your finger around for slower or faster rolls. The drum sound varies slightly from hit to hit, just like real drums.

  • iPhone/iPad/Retina display universal.
  • Hundreds of 44.1khz hifi drums.
  • Realistic blending of drum strikes.
  • Bend the pitch of your toms and tablas.
  • Multitrack recording and online sharing.
  • You can even share your performances online on the web, tweet.
  • Jam out with your iPod library tracks.
  • Try our “Dueling Drumsets” so two people can rock out with their own set on one device.
  • So much more! Editing appearance, position, and size of drums! Volume variance! So much more.

Price: Free or $1.99 for Advanced version (without ads / ability to edit drumset)

Drum Beats+ Rhythm Metronome

Drum Apps DrumBeats Rhythm

Drum Beats+ is the metronome app that improves your timing using great sounding drum beats, not a boring click!

But that’s not all. It can also help you write songs, jam with friends, or even perform live. It’s a learning, jamming and performing tool that keeps getting better, just like you.

Tempo

Drum Apps Tempo

Tempo is the bestselling and most accurate metronome of all drum apps in the App Store. Featured as “New and Noteworthy” and “Staff Favorite” by Apple on the main iTunes landing page. Same price as upgrading a free alternative. If you’re going to demo free apps, why not give Tempo Lite a try?

Track Practices By time or number of bars. Stay on top of your drills by tracking the number of bars played or time passed. Combine with setlists for organized workouts!

Can’t make up your mind? Why not try out our free Lite version first. The Lite version features alternate app icons and interface colors. (On iPhone/iPod touch, both versions feature light and dark themes.)

Price: Free or $2.99 for Advanced version for iPad and iPhone.

Vinnie Paul – Damageplan’s 2nd Album Will Be Released..

Vinnie Paul Damageplan 2nd Album

Former Pantera Drummer Vinnie Paul Says Music Recorded For What Would Have Been Damageplan‘s 2nd Album Will Eventually See The Light Of Day

Vinnie Paul says he will eventually release music that was planned for Damageplan‘s second album.

Paul formed Damageplan with his brother Dimebag Darrell after Pantera‘s split in 2003 and released their debut album New Found Power a year later.

Dimebag was shot dead onstage at a Damageplan gig in Ohio in December 2004.

Release Of A Second Damageplan Album

Vinnie Paul has said in the past that he would eventually release the second album. And in a new interview for Trunk Nation (via Blabbermouth), he says:

The first record was pretty diverse. We wanted to do something that didn’t sound exactly like Pantera, and with the second record, it was really focused. I’ve got the demos and some day they’ll come out.

Paul adds that he will always try to keep his brother’s legacy alive, saying::

It’s sad to say, but you just get larger than life when you’re gone. It’s just really weird. I really appreciate it.

The fans have kept his legacy and everything he’s done intact and alive, and it’s just constantly growing. His legend’s huge.

Former Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo revealed last week that he has up to five new albums in the works and put his work ethic down to having quit drinking. Stating:

I haven’t had a drink since February – I’m not missing that much.

Extremely Precise Consistent Drumming!

No Serious Metal Drummer Could Ever Forseen Or Forgotten Vinnie Paul!

I mean His PRECISE, HAMMERING Drumming Style. Vinnie‘s One Of Few Drummers That You Could Have Put In A Box (Perhaps Alongside Tommy Lee) And Used Instead Of a Metronome While Practicing… It’s that Destinctive!

Check Video Below In Case, God Forbid, You Have Forgotten About Vinnie Paul‘s Style / Type Of Playing:

Darrel Dimebag R.I.P.DARREL A.D.

After burying his brother Darrel (R.I.P.), Paul formed Big Vin Records in February 2006 and released Rebel Meets Rebel and a DVD, Dimevision Volume 1.

Paul (along with Cristina Scabbia, co-lead vocalist of Lacuna Coil) writes a monthly question-and-answer column in Revolver.

Vinnie Paul maintains endorsement deals with ddrum, Sabian cymbals, and Vic Firth drumsticks. He previously endorsed Tama, Pearl drums, and Remo drumheads and hardware.

Paul also played drums for Dethklok at a show in Philadelphia with Metalocalypse creator Brendon Small. Around this time in his career, he was a one time spokesperson for Arby’s fast food restaurant.

In June 2006, after the death of his brother and an 18-month hiatus, Paul was not sure if he would return to music, but eventually joined in with the heavy metal supergroup Hellyeah, which also features vocalist Chad Gray and guitarist Greg Tribbett from Mudvayne, guitarist Tom Maxwell from Nothingface, and bassist Bob Zilla from Damageplan, who was called on to replace original bassist Jerry Montano.

As of 2016, the group has released 5 albums, latest being Unden!able, released in June 2016.

For Christmas 2016, Paul is planning on releasing a cookbook called “Drumming up an Appetite with Vinnie Paul“… DrumPerium Would Love To See That Coming 😉

Kenny Aronoff Releases Autobiography

Kenny Aronoff Autobiography Sex Drums Rock 'n' Roll

Sex, Drums, Rock ‘N’ Roll! New Autobiography By Kenny Aronoff

Kenny Aronoff shares his inspirational, cautionary, and captivating story of reaching the highest levels of the music business in his autobiography Sex, Drums, Rock n Roll!

He may not have the name recognition of some rock stars, but he s immensely respected within the industry as a rock drummer par excellence.

Kenny Aronoff discusses his childhood, formal musical training, and his first big break with John Mellencamp, which eventually led to work with other artists in the musical who’s who. As one might expect, Aronoff has a few crazy, sordid tales to tell about life on the road, but Sex, Drums, Rock n Roll! succeeds because he also shows a thoughtful, reflective side.

Kenny tries to portray personality conflicts fairly and from all sides, and his technique of including brief comments by the people in question is highly effective. Aronoff displays a striking and relentless drive to achieve his goals.

From his early classical studies to competing with other drummers for work, he never gives up, always pushing himself to practice harder and do better. This aspect transcends drumming and becomes an overriding theme in his life.

Barely Nothing Left Out

Of course, there’s a price to one’s personal relationships that goes along with flying around the country at a breakneck pace, and Aronoff is not shy about detailing his difficulties in this respect. He’s blunt and honest about his own shortcomings, and about applying the same effort to improving his family life as he does to his drumming.

The book consciously does not drift too far into drummer-speak; while there are a few descriptions of triple flam-a-diddles, a one-hand press roll, and the like, Sex, Drums, Rock n Roll! is always more about Aronoff s personal journey.

Kenny Aronoff Sex Drums Rock 'n' Roll

Rock-and-roll fans will enjoy reading about Aronoff s adventures with Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, and other big names, but in the end, what makes the book work are the same things that propel Aronoff‘s music: a steady beat, impeccable timing, and always hitting hard.

About Kenny Aronoff

Kenny Aronoff is one of the most famous rock n roll drummers alive. In his nearly four decades behind the kit, he has played with the greatest acts, from John Mellencamp to Bob Dylan. Aronoff has taught and performed all over the world on the best stages.

He has held many posts, from house drummer for the Kennedy Center Honors to kit man for Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr on the Beatles CBS TV special The Night That Changed America. Aronoff remains one of the most active and in-demand live and session drummers in the music business. He lives in Los Angeles.

Benighted “Necrobreed” Featuring Drummer Romain Goulon

Romain Goulon Benighted Drummer

After Seeing This Romain Goulon Youtube Clip, DrumPerium Looks Forward To The New “Necrobreed” Album by Benighted

Romain Goulon, a 25 year old Drummer who started playing drums at the age of 13. Romain studied jazz and modern music at the Music Conservatory of Cannes during 8 years and he’s, (actually) like the most, a self taught drummer.

After playing with many french metal bands like Agressor, Imperial S, Belef, Disharmony, he’s widen his drumming performance internationally and collaborated with bands like Disavowed and Necrophagist.

Drum Teaching And DVD Release

Romain Goulon Benighted Necrobreed

Besides being a studio and live session drummer. Romain is a drum teacher, international clinician, he has created instructional drum videos at his Youtube channel. In addition, he’s also released a drum DVD in 2015 named “Metal Chops Matrix“.

In an interview, in the October 2016 issue of Terrorizer Magazine, Julien Truchan (Benighted Vocalist) said this about his former drummer (Kevin Foley) and Romain Goulon:

“…Kevin was and still is one of my closest friends. But whereas in the rest of the band we all have day jobs and family, he’s always been the one who’s wanted to become a fulltime musician.

That’s why he’s been doing so much session work and was always on the hunt for a ‘big’ band.

So when he got the gig with Abbath – we weren’t supposed to talk about it then – we really encouraged him to take his chance. But on the other hand, we told him that we weren’t his backup plan and that if he was leaving Benighted, it was for good, even if it didn’t work out with the Norwegians and he totally got that.”

Romain Goulon Benighted Terrorizer MagazineRomain Joins Benighted

It was actually Romain Goulon from Necrophagist who got in touch with us. We had thought about him before but we believed that he was too busy and that we were too underground for him.

But he told us that he didn’t care about the money and that Necrophagist wasn’t going anywhere since their Guitarist/vocalist Muhammed was such a perfectionist. He’s been scrapping everything he writes ever since 2004’s ‘Epitaph’ and that they haven’t played live in years anyway.

Terrorizer Magzine also said in same issue “Romain made a name for himself with his fast beats. We bet he didn’t slow things down…“. of which Truchan responds:

“Far from it! Especially since Emmanuel loves to play fast tempos, so yes, it’s very fast! It’s also pretty viciousw ith very bleak parts and dirty samples that go hand in hand with the whole concept.”

Romain Goulon Benighted Logo

Check out the video with Romain Goulon below where he teases with short Drum Clips excerpts from the BenightedNecrobreed” to be released in 2017.

 

Sources: Terrorizer Magazine (If You’re Into Metal GET IT! It’s One Of The BEST!) and Romains’ Official website. In addition, Don’t forget to check Benighted Facebook Page for latest band updates.