10 Best Metal Drummers Of All Time
3. The Rev
Avenged Sevenfold are easily one of the most successful acts still going in the metal scene today. While the band's time in the spotlight has fluctuated throughout the years, the band has made modern metal epics that will be here long after they're gone. On each of the band's masterpieces, Jimmy "the Rev" Sullivan took each track to its absolute max.
Throughout his run in A7X, The Rev was a natural behind the kit as he weaved together splashy percussion work with air-tight drum fills that hit you right in the center of your chest every time you heard them. Across "Almost Easy," the verses are a pure metalcore slamfest before opening up to an anthemic chorus. In lesser hands, this change of pace would be jarring as hell, but The Rev's precision made him switch between varying styles without even batting an eye.
Unfortunately, The Rev tragically passed away from a drug overdose in 2009, leaving Avenged with an uncertain future. As a tribute to Sullivan's memory, the band made the album Nightmare about their recovery period and got the almighty Mike Portnoy to fill his shoes. As A7X proceeds to make records to this day, The Rev's heart and soul is always at the forefront of every track that perform.