Former Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison was asked by Metal Hammer to offer up his personal Top 10 drummers list. Jordison’s list is packed with percussion heavyweights, including what some might call an unlikely pick in Metallica’s Lars Ulrich.

Joey’s picks echo a large section of our own Top 10 Hard Rock + Metal Drummers of All Time list, including Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham, Rush’s Neil Peart, Dave Lombardo and more. Amongst the most masterful of drumming goliaths, Lars Ulrich has a place in Jordison’s all-time greatest and he offered a spirited explanation as to why.

"A lot of people give this guy s—t, but they need to shut their f—ing mouths because Lars Ulrich is probably one of the best and most innovative drummers ever,” raves Jordison. “I got to tour with the guy and I watched him play every night from behind the kit, and his double bass was completely on point. He's also one of the best businessmen that keeps this type of music going; he's the heart of the whole f—ing community, because Metallica are the kings. There'll never be anybody that will match them, and Lars is a huge, huge part of that.”

Joey continues, “Without that guy, and the influence of that band, I wouldn't even be sitting here talking to you. Lars is one of my gods and he always will be. That guy f—ing rules, period. So when I got the call asking if I'd fill in for him at Download festival, of course I knew everything because he's one of my hugest influences. I remember playing to his s—t all the time growing up and trying to be as good as him. Our technical abilities are way different but I'll still never be as good as that guy, and getting to sit in his stool was one of the biggest f—ing dreams come true. What an honor. I love that dude."

In the latest issue of Metal Hammer, Jordison revealed he had been let go from Slipknot via email. Still echoing is frustration from how he was dismissed, Jordison explained how the members of Slipknot thought Joey was on drugs, though the drummer claims he wasn’t. Unfortunately, Jordison was battling a rare neurological condition during his last days in the band, greatly restricting his leg strength.

Jordison’s two new bands, Sinsaenum and VIMIC, will each release their debut albums this year.

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