Birth name Van Williams Role Drummer Name Van Williams | Years active 1993–present Instruments Drums, vocals | |
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Born December 5, 1967 (age 56) ( 1967-12-05 ) Origin New York City, New York, USA Genres Progressive metal, power metal, thrash metal Occupation(s) Musician, graphic artist, illustrator, business owner Movies Never: The Year of the Voyager Music groups Never (1994 – 2011), Ashes of Ares (Since 2012), Armageddon (2012 – 2013) Albums This Godless Endeavor, Dreaming Neon Black, Dead Heart in a Dead World, Manifesto of Never, The Obsidian Conspiracy | ||
Van Williams (born December 5, 1966) is an American drummer, best known as the former drummer of Nevermore. Van Williams hails from New York where he began his music career in various bands, later relocating to Seattle, Washington in 1993. After auditioning for the band Nevermore (ex Sanctuary) they were soon signed onto Century Media Records. He currently drums for Ashes of Ares, Ghost Ship Octavius and musical project Pure Sweet Hell.
Contents
- Equipment
- Drums Pearl MMX maple
- Cymbals Sabian Cymbals
- Drum Sticks
- Nevermore
- Pure Sweet Hell
- Ashes of Ares
- Ghost Ship Octavius
- References
Williams continued to play with the band until 2011 when he announced along with Jeff Loomis that he was leaving the band. Also a graphic artist/illustrator, Van has created the logos and numerous T-shirt designs for Nevermore and his other band project Pure Sweet Hell which features Van singing main vocals as well as drums. Pure Sweet Hell also features long time friends and fellow musicians Chris Eichhorn (guitars and bass) and Jim Colson (also supplying vocals). The new Pure Sweet Hell album will feature guitar solos from a few of heavy metal's top shredders, including Glen Drover (Eidolon, Megadeth) Steve Smyth (Nevermore, Testament, Forbidden), Chris Amott (Arch Enemy), Jeff Loomis (Nevermore) and Attila Voros (Leander, Nevermore). John Winters (Hatefist), also who contributed in the production/engineering of the record. On June 26, 2012, former Iced Earth vocalist Matt Barlow announced on his Facebook page the creation of a new band named Ashes of Ares with former Iced Earth bassist Freddie Vidales and former Nevermore drummer Van Williams, posting on YouTube two one-minute teaser videos. Shortly afterward, Van Williams was also announced as the drummer of Ghost Ship Octavius, featuring former God Forbid guitarist Matt Wicklund and vocalist Adōn Fanion. Ghost Ship Octavius released their debut album on March 23, 2015.
Equipment
Van Williams endorses Pearl drums, Sabian cymbal, toontracks and ProMark Sticks.
Drums: Pearl MMX maple
Cymbals: Sabian Cymbals
Drum Sticks
Promark Naturals 5b