Top Five Drummers Of All Time With Kieran Smith Of Black Rheno
Sydney genre bending party-pit masters Black Rheno have just released their new hardcore, sludge banger Chopping Heads Wearing Fancy Threads and are about to head out on tour. So we took a minute to find out just what makes their drummer Kieran Smith tick. As someone who slides between flat out blast beats into almost funk induced rock grooves we wanted to know how he came to be this absolute behemoth of a groove master the influences that have inspired him along the way. Here’s the latest tune from Black Rheno, tour dates and an undeniable list of drummers and bands to get the juices flowing… Come check out Kierans Smith’s top five drumming influences of all time.
Black Rheno Chopping Heads Wearing Fancy Threads
Kieran Smiths top five drummers of all time
Vinnie Paul (Pantera)
Vinnie Paul’s powerful articulation on the kit can never be questioned. The moment my 14 year old ears first heard the opening to “Primal Concrete Sledge” I discovered two things. “You can do that??” and “Travis Barker isn’t in-fact the best drummer on earth”. Vinnie’s drumming really opened my eyes to the vast world of heavy drumming, and single handedly sent me on the never ending quest to chase the metal drumming dragon.
Matt Greiner (August Burns Red)
Matt Greiner brought a level of colour, creativity and excitement to the booming metalcore wave of the late 2000’s that stood out head and shoulders above the pack. In a throbbing mass of carbon copies, Matt was putting down kick drum rhythms you’d expect from prog bands of the time, but at twice the speed! I was introduced to August Burns Red by someone at school saying “oi, I bet you cant play this!” while showing me the track Composure, and they were absolutely right.
Chris Adler (Lamb of God)
Throughout the 2000’s Lamb of God had a titans grip on the metal scene, and Chris’ drumming played no small part in that. Heavy hitting and locked in, but above all fun! Lamb of God was a go-to for my formative drumming years due to how damn enjoyable their songs are to play, while also providing endless endurance and coordination exercises for my kick drum work. This guy can throw a 16th kick drum wherever he wants! Pick a song, any song, Lamb of God have been churning out heat since day 1, but their album Sacrament will always deliver.
Blake Richardson (Between the Buried and Me)
When Between the Buried and Me made a regional stop in my hometown back in 2009, I had no idea what I was in for. The songs were amazing, furious and sometimes even moving… but the DRUMS had me glued in place with my jaw on the floor. Blake wasn’t just sitting in the back and holding the beat, his drumming formed an integral part of the overall musicality of every piece. Anything from a rockabilly hoe-down to a blistering blast beat, this man can make it feel right at home in the music. Ants of the Sky might be a daunting endeavor at thirteen minutes long, but trust me when I say, it’s worth it.
Igor Cavalera (Sepultura)
When I think of drummers who have inspired me in the field of speed and endurance, Igor Cavalera HAS to top that list. His drumming set a standard that not only inspired me as a teenager, but still drives me to reach higher speeds to this day. Early on I had heard some of Sepultura’s more groove-driven work like Roots Bloody Roots, but upon the discovery of their 1991 album Arise I knew I was listening to a drummer that meant business. Massive drum fills, ferocious double kicks and skank beats so fast they’ll make your eyes water. I’ve spent a lot of time playing drums as fast as I can, but the opening track Arise is still an insane test of endurance. The pinnacle of athletic drumming.
Catch Black Rheno on the following dates tickets HERE…
