Articles by Stuart Williams, Drums

I'm a freelance member of the MusicRadar team, specialising in drum news, interviews and reviews. I formerly edited Rhythm and Total Guitar here in the UK and have been playing drums for more than 25 years (my arms are very tired). When I'm not working on the site, I can be found on my electronic kit at home, or gigging and depping in function bands and the odd original project.

Articles by: Stuart Williams

Deftones drummer Abe Cunningham credits Stephen Carpenter with creating his cranked snare drum sound

By Stuart Williams last updated 30 August 22

The part-time drummer's experimentations gave Abe his signature snare tuning

QOTSA engineer Eric Valentine: How Dave Grohl recorded drums on No One Knows

By MusicRadar published 27 August 22

Songs For The Deaf turns twenty-years-old today

Anthrax's Charlie Benante tells Pantera reunion doubters, “Don’t come”

By Stuart Williams published 14 August 22

The drummer shrugged-off online "flak" regarding the recently-announced Pantera reunion

Four ways to get Metallica Black Album-style drum sounds that you can play from your electronic drum kit

By Stuart Williams published 12 August 22

E-kit-playable and drum replacement-friendly Black Album sounds

The drummer’s guide to running click and backing tracks from a phone or sample pad

By Stuart Williams last updated 5 August 22

How to prepare and play-back your click and backing tracks for use in a live setting

Steve Vai recalls bonkers story of Vinnie Colaiuta sight-reading during Frank Zappa rehearsals

By Stuart Williams published 2 August 22

“Even Frank threw his baton!” The guitar virtuoso tells a tale of Vinnie's focus…and sushi

Zultan adds Q Thin Crashes to it's dual-finish, B20 bronze cymbal range

By Stuart Williams published 1 August 22

The Zultan Q cymbal line-up gets a trio of new models

Over the shot of drummer behind electronic drum set

How to expand your electronic drum kit sounds without a computer

By Stuart Williams published 1 August 22

Achieve epic drum sounds without tethering to a laptop - or spending a fortune - using dedicated e-kit expansion packs

Listen to Taylor Hawkins drumming on King Princess’ new song, Let Us Die

By Stuart Williams published 29 July 22

The song, co-written by Mark Ronson and Ethan Gruska was released today, featuring the late Foo Fighters drummer

Selection of screen grabs of electronic drum set searches from online marketplaces

10 key things to consider when buying a used electronic drum kit

By Stuart Williams published 27 July 22

Purchasing a second hand electronic drum kit can save you loads of cash. Avoid the potential pitfalls with these pro tips and checks

5 reasons Joey Jordison was one of the most influential metal drummers of all time

By Stuart Williams published 26 July 22

A year on from his death, we take a look at the Slipknot founder's drumming and musical legacy

Roland VAD503 kit from the front on a white background

Roland VAD503 review

By Stuart Williams published 25 July 22

£2999
€3299
$4199

Roland’s most affordable entry-point to full-size shells and TD-50 derived features

Deftones' Abe Cunningham performing on stage in Köln, Germany

Five songs drummers need to hear by Deftones

By Stuart Williams published 25 July 22

From marching snare patterns to linear grooves, step inside the style of Deftones' Abe Cunningham

Check out drummer Luke Holland’s stack-filled playthrough of Polyphia’s Neurotica

By Stuart Williams published 25 July 22

The virtuoso drummer contributed to six tracks on Polyphia's forthcoming album

Q Drum Co. stops taking new orders amid founder Jeremy Berman’s cancer diagnosis

By Stuart Williams published 25 July 22

A GoFundMe campaign has been started to help pay for Jeremy’s treatment

Red Hot Chili Peppers announce new album Return of the Dream Canteen

Red Hot Chili Peppers announce surprise new album, Return of the Dream Canteen

By Stuart Williams published 24 July 22

Watch Flea and Anthony Kiedis unveil the news on stage

Rage Against The Machine drummer Brad Wilk has officially joined the Ludwig artist roster

By Stuart Williams published 16 July 22

The announcement follows Wilk's return to the stage with RATM behind a pair of Ludwig kits

Chad Smith’s Paiste cymbal setup for 2022 revealed

By Stuart Williams published 15 July 22

Check out Chad’s Matte Silver pies!

Pantera reunion: Anthrax’s Charlie Benante confirmed to take Vinnie Paul's place on drums

By Stuart Williams published 15 July 22

The line-up will be making some big appearances in 2023

Boss Katana MkII users can now get their hands on the Version 2 software update

By Stuart Williams published 14 July 22

New effects and features for those who live by the sword

Watch Living Room Gear Demos recreate Josh Homme’s guitar tones from Queens of the Stone Age No One Knows

By Stuart Williams published 14 July 22

The lost art of keeping a tone secret…

Fender’s Limited Edition Pro Junior IV SE affordable valve amp is here, and this is how it sounds

By Stuart Williams published 14 July 22

Check out Fender's demo of its affordable small valve amp

Harley Benton’s R-446 guitars sets its sights on high gain and shred players

By Stuart Williams last updated 24 August 22

Built to play fast, and priced to sell even faster

Taylor Hawkins’ son Shane plays drums for cover of Foo Fighters’ My Hero in tribute to his father

By Stuart Williams published 11 July 22

The 16-year-old sat in with Californian band, The Alive during a Laguna Beach street party

Evans launches dB One volume-reducing drum heads and quiet cymbals

By Stuart Williams published 11 July 22

They join the re-branded dB Zero silent heads in the Evans line-up

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