7. Danny Carey
Stand Out Track: Ticks and Leeches, found on Tools masterpiece 'Lateralus'. Revered for his diversity and use of dynamics, Danny Carey, the astoundingly gifted drummer for progressive metal titans Tool, has exploited his years of studying jazz to introduce frequent odd time signatures, polyrhythms and polymeters to his repertoire. Carey is also famed for his incorporation of geometry, science, metaphysics and the occult into his playing, ultimately creating a unique sound all of his own. A towering influence on modern metal since Tool's inception in 1990, Careys fearless experimentation and fluent playing attributes greatly to his bands seemingly endless critical and commercial acclaim. A new album is imminent and long overdue, it has been 7 long years since their last release; it will be interesting to see where Carey and his cohorts take their defiantly progressive sound next.