Stuart Williams
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.
Latest articles by Stuart Williams
![Former linkin Park drummer, Rob Bourdon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/t7SRsBvx47FPtoS8xoPtTF-320-80.jpg)
"The Hybrid Theory re-release and Papercuts release, he didn’t show up for anything": Mike Shinoda on why Linkin Park drummer Rob Bourdon isn’t returning for the band’s reunion
By Stuart Williams published
Producer and drummer Colin Brittain is the new drummer in Linkin Park
![Former-Oasis drummer, Alan White](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AQ7b76mRHogGGGiNjyzEJE-320-80.jpg)
Former Oasis drummer Alan White teases photo of Don’t Look Back in Anger bass drum head ahead of Oasis reunion
By Stuart Williams published
Meanwhile, original drummer Tony McCarroll says, "To be honest, I'm not holding my breath"
![Man wearing black t-shirt and blue jeans plays a drum practice strapped to his knee](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PjdydPyAkf8BVUh3rBhVeQ-320-80.jpg)
Best drum practice pads 2025: Sharpen your chops, anywhere
By Stuart Williams last updated
Play quietly and supercharge your hand technique with our tried and tested pick of the best pads for drummers
![The four drummers of Oasis: Tony McCarroll, Alan White, Chris Sharrock, Zak Starkey](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/t4yaiHHiEeLdihYqZEfCJE-320-80.jpg)
The drummers of Oasis: if the reunion rumours are true, these are the favourites to play drums
By Stuart Williams published
From the founding member who tried to sue Oasis, to the son of a Beatle, these are the drummers who provided the Gallaghers' groove
![Looking at a yellow drum kit from behind on stage with a drum stool in the foreground](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HD4vXzVqiGh2pb6TzJ8ohf-320-80.jpg)
Best drum thrones 2025: Top stools for comfort behind the kit
By Stuart Williams last updated
DW, Roc-N-Soc and Gibraltar are among the budget-spanning brands vying to be crowned king of the drum thrones – but which one is right for you?
![Dave Navarro on stage with Taylor Hawkins](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E7Y9r6xnxcE9qQhjYTbMQh-320-80.jpg)
“We have a completed, mastered album, but this might be a little soon.”: Dave Navarro talks unreleased material from NHC featuring Taylor Hawkins and Chris Chaney
By Stuart Williams published
The Jane's Addiction guitarist is hopeful that the songs will see a full release eventually
![Alesis Strata Prime electronic drum set in a blue room](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3uPeZ6WKmh9fH9okdE7aue-320-80.jpg)
Alesis' Strata Prime's V1.1 software update unlocks a key feature that was missing at launch
By Stuart Williams published
One of 2024’s best electronic drum kits so far gets a connectivity upgrade
![Zultan Dune cymbals](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VM6jSRN9mucEAVuE4BXKdG-320-80.jpg)
"These are the antithesis of common-or-garden cymbals, but they deliver exactly what you’d hope, at a very affordable price point": Zultan Dune series cymbals review
By Stuart Williams published
Dark, dry, B20 bronze cymbals with prices starting at less than £100
![Mary Berry](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o6Fw2Tv64KBbr3BpkMMNwK-320-80.jpg)
Mary Berry on taking a drum lesson from Rick Astley
By Stuart Williams published
The veteran cook swapped bakes for breaks for a showstopper in 2018
![The Mars Volta drummer, Philo Tsoungui](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zzu4BbBek3b2zSiFpZVkQP-320-80.jpg)
“I feel like if I don’t approach it from a fun angle right now, I’ll just freak out!”: The Mars Volta’s Philo Tsoungui plays drums to Rush, LimeLight after hearing it for the first time
By Stuart Williams published
The German-born drummer happened to use Neil Peart signature sticks, despite never having heard the Rush song before
![Tama 50th Billy Cobham](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8wDk6sSfcnX7LiAVDtxjVe-320-80.jpg)
Tama is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a star-studded live event in London this November
By Stuart Williams published
The line-up features Billy Cobham, Beanie, Jeremy Stacey and more
![Man wearing headphones plays a Roland electronic drum set at home](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KZ6zWwmwACVxtYooKuf8HB-320-80.jpg)
Best Roland electronic drum sets 2025: top Roland V-Drums for beginner to pro drummers
By Chris Barnes last updated
Our comprehensive guide to the best of Roland electronic drum kit line-up
![Shane Hakwins](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GoGvkcoV4dSN9cR8vHaeSd-320-80.jpg)
"Watch this!” says Dave Grohl as Shane Hawkins plays drums with Foo Fighters during two consecutive London dates
By Stuart Williams published
Taylor Hawkins’ son reminds us he’s inherited the skills for the family trade as he performs I'll Stick Around and My Hero
![Josh Freese, Foo Fighters](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xiGbXeA8LJ3yQAvjuCdPd5-320-80.jpg)
Watch: Josh Freese delivers a jaw-dropping version of Van Halen’s Hot For Teacher drum intro at Foo Fighters’ Glasgow gig
By Stuart Williams published
![Futuristic image of a drum set covered in neon lights and a drummer looking at a large screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uXEhmS2XcBtbeN7NPjtzmY-320-80.jpg)
“AI could prove incredibly useful, from configuring our kits to generating the sounds in our head”: Where might electronic drums go next? Here are 9 of our predictions
By Stuart Williams published
Electronic drums have come a long way over the last few decades, but where are they headed in the future? From AI to radical new playing surfaces and authentic cymbals, this is our wishlist
![Mike Portnoy learns to play Tool Pnuema](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jEGPiV9NqpsbZ6KUfkQXdK-320-80.jpg)
Watch Mike Portnoy learn to play Tool Pnuema before challenging Danny Carey to play Dream Theater's The Dance of Eternity
By Stuart Williams published
Two prog-metal titans collide as Portnoy attempts the 12-minute epic from 2019's Fear Inoculum in one of Drumeo's most difficult challenges to date
![Universal Audio Sound City Studios](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pCeV47ZjGeK8nc5V9rPF5W-320-80.jpg)
“Dream of recording in a prestige studio? This easy-to-use software may be your ticket to the big time”: Universal Audio Sound City Studios review
By Stuart Williams published
We step into one of rock’s most revered studios
![Josh Freese drumming in Foo Fighters](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U9VFMWWYsMHNkSxcUsmBna-320-80.jpg)
“I continue to miss Taylor, as does the band, his family, friends and the rest of the world.” Josh Freese pays tribute to Taylor Hawkins while marking one year as the Foo Fighters’ drummer
By Stuart Williams published
It's been 12 months since Freese was selected for one of the biggest gigs in rock
![Steve Albini, Electrical Audio](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EPTqj6XxVY7vyqieH7yu9f-320-80.jpg)
“The hi-hat is a truly Satanic instrument, it gets everywhere and there’s nothing you can do about it”: Steve Albini’s Mix with the Master’s recording tutorial is now available to watch for free
By Stuart Williams published
The four-hour-long video gives fascinating insight into Steve Albini's recording and mixing approach
![Former Staind drummer John Wysocki](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ppw6FwD5jt277UBRksq57e-320-80.jpg)
Former Staind and Soil drummer Jon Wysocki has died, aged 53
By Stuart Williams published
Wysocki was a founding member of the Massachusetts post-grunge/nu-metal band
![Alesis Strata Prime kit in the corner of a blue room](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/m9yBAxsXNAsMh5vjAadJyB-320-80.jpg)
“In this case, we’re looking at a bonafide game-changer”: Alesis Strata Prime review
By Stuart Williams published
With its BFD sound library, a 10.1” touchscreen and mesh heads throughout, Alesis’ new flagship electronic drum set looks like it’s intent on changing the game
![Lars Ulrich on stage, early 1990s](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LQCceCR74tGoFD6tWKXym6-320-80.jpg)
Watch Lauten Audio uncannily recreate Metallica’s Black Album drum sound with the original kit, at LA’s One on One studios where the album was recorded
By Stuart Williams published
An all-star cast featuring Black Album engineer, Mike Tacci, Darrell Thorpe, Drum Doctor Ross Garfield and Puscifer drummer Gunnar Olsen give us a forensic look at one of the greatest drum sounds in heavy music history
![Lauten Audio Tom Mic](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oNsJGFridLVo9waSSVFUu3-320-80.jpg)
Lauten Audio announces Tom Mic - which it says is the world's first large diaphragm condenser mic specifically designed for rack and floor toms
By Stuart Williams published
Watch Foo Fighters engineer Darrell Thorp, RATM live engineer Sean “Sully” Sullivan and session drummer Blair Sinta put the Tom Mic through its paces
![Zildjian Alchem-E](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JWhotJNV9jQDfE73qXWj9E-320-80.jpg)
Zildjian announces Alchem-E Gold-EX, Gold and Bronze electronic drum sets in three different configurations, “We set out to create the most realistic, authentic playing experience across the entire kit and are confident that drummers will agree.”
By Stuart Williams published
Metal cymbals, acoustic shells, and input from the son of Roland's founder…
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