Best overall metal rhythm section?

[Systolic]

TOOL has my vote for sure with Timmy C and Brad Wilk of RATM coming in second. Geezer and Bill Ward round out my top three. I'll give JPJ and Bonham an honorable mention....only because I don't consider them metal in the least. They are definitely blues/rock.

Tons of amazing choices though.

[62Jazzbass]

Hard to avoid the "what is/is not" metal discussion with something like this, but whatever.

Setting that aside, these guys are as metal, or not, as many others already mentioned. And, as a rhythm section, they can't be beat (no pun intended).

Cliff Williams (with a nod to Mark Evans as well)
Phil Rudd
Malcolm Young

[BassIsFun17]

Originally Posted by TDSLaBassiste

I've gotta give it to Opeth, personally. Martin Mendez and Martin Lopez are an amazing combination.

yes i agree, they are still amazing with the newest drummer axe.

idk how many of you would consider helmet a metal band, but they always have a tight rhythm section.

[NKUSigEp]

Too many to choose from...

Pantera
Metallica
Slayer
Down
Black Sabbath
Cannibal Corpse
Tool
Mastodon
...the list goes on (for me at least)

[Musicman1901]

Originally Posted by Systolic

TOOL has my vote for sure with Timmy C and Brad Wilk of RATM coming in second. Geezer and Bill Ward round out my top three. I'll give JPJ and Bonham an honorable mention....only because I don't consider them metal in the least. They are definitely blues/rock.

Tons of amazing choices though.

In my opinion he summed it up as far as my opinion goes

[BornboreD]

No mention of Intronaut?? Joe Lester on his fretless and Danny Walker rocking polyrhythms like a champ. Easily one of the strongest and most interesting rhythm sections in Metal in the last 10 years.

[Matthijs]

Not a metalhead (and imho Led Zeppelin is not metal) but the metal rhytm section that has always really impressed me is Sepultura.

[AdamR]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

Bello and Benante. Or Butler and Ward.

These are my picks along with Steve Harris and Clive Burr

[Melonthief]

Steve Harris and Nicko
Hal Patino and Snowy Shaw

[bassfran]

+1 for Geezer and Bill Ward.

And Ian Paice and Roger Glover of Deep Purple.

[Luke19Boarder]

I went to see Between the Buried and Me last weekend. All phenomenal musicians, definitely including dan (bass) and blake (drums). Honestly, they were so good that I left the show before the headliners (Coheed and Cambria) even took the stage.

[stevenkidman045]

calypso musicians play a Caribbean instrument called the scratch, which is a cylindrical grater that is scratched with a metallic comb, according to Lameca.org. Another local instrument is an iron drum, made from track brakes hammered with iron sticks. Non-regional musical additions in the rhythm section include tambourines or congas. Because calypso ensembles vary in size from one member to more than a hundred, each group individually selects the number of players for each instrument.

[PipeRain]

I have been recently impressed with David Ellefson and whoever is playing drums this year for Megadth. Speaking as pretty much a n00b tho, it seems that Ellefson is the key as no matter the drummer they seem to do pretty well.

As previously mentioned Helmet and Sepultura are notable as well.

I am finding that, as I listen to a lot of metal with a more critical ear, most of those bands have little to no idea of how to mix a record. Much as Dave Mustaine's screechy voice and generally tasteless solos irritate me to no end, they do have their act together as a recording entity.

[truecanadian04]

Rex and Vinnie from pantera. Just listen to cowboys from hell album.

[Sasabonsam]

You can put me into the Butler & Ward camp as well. They are the classic duo that made metal what it is today.

Though for modern bands, I have to agree that Tool is simplay amazing...

[Bigfoot414]

Originally Posted by Epitaph04

Rex Brown and Vinnie Paul

I wanted to post just that

[Blue_Whistle88]

Tool, just for sheer innovation, plus unique tone on Justin's part and Daney's ability to keep the power on even when navigating very tricky rhythms.

Butler and Ward from Sabbath. Listening to Master Of Reality now and Ward's got some chops on him, and Geezer knows how to play melodically, well, but their ability to co-operate is why I'm mentioning them. Lots of great metal drummers listed here (Gene from SYL for example), but we're talking about rhythm SECTIONS here.

I wouldn't really call Led Zeppelin "heavy metal", even though some reviewer did once. Great rhythm section, but not a heavy metal band IMO.

If Rage Against The Machine are considered "metal", then I'd include them. Brad is a consistently underrated drummer and Tim.... requires no justification from me. When Sean Malone is playing in Cynic (which is almost never), I'd say he and Sean Reinhart (sp?) are definitely worth a mention too.

[ZombieSpacebat]

Another vote for Tool & Opeth.

And my own suggestion of Brian Cook & Dave Turncrantz of Russian Circles, their old bassist was cool too but I feel like Brian is a much better player and fits the style a lot better.

[deeptubes]

Iron Maiden

[Melonthief]

Originally Posted by deeptubes

Iron Maiden

Without question.