Washington D.C. crossover thrashers Red Death just released their third full-length album, Sickness Divine, on November 29th. Today, we’ve got drummer Connor Donegan counting down his favorite drumming records. Check out his list below!

1. Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti (John Bonham)

It's an obvious choice, but Bonham has to be #1 on the list. Every Led Zeppelin album has unbeatable drumming, but Physical Graffiti happens to be my favorite in their (nearly flawless) catalog. From the bombastic backbeats of "Kashmir" and "Trampled Underfoot", to the smooth shuffle on "Down By The Seaside", this record has a little bit of everything drumming-wise. It also has my all-time favorite Led Zeppelin song, "In The Light". Can't beat it.

2. Black Sabbath - The Mob Rules (Vinnie Appice)

People always give me shit for this, but as much as I love Bill Ward, Vinnie Appice is my preferred Sabbath drummer. There's something about the way he plays that gets me all riled up. Vinnie has such a signature style that I've never heard anyone replicate. You always know it's him, which to me is the mark of a great musician. He's the perfect Doom Metal / Heavy Rock drummer. Just listen to "Sign Of The Southern Cross" and get lost in the heavy groove.

3. Slayer - Seasons In The Abyss (Dave Lombardo)

I mean OBVIOUSLY Lombardo was going to make the list. He's the BEST. Seasonz In The Abyss is my choice above Reign In Blood or South Of Heaven because similarly to Bonham on Physical Graffiti it has a little bit of everything in Lombardo's arsenal. "War Ensemble" and "Spirit In Black" showcase the lightning speed double bass and skank beats that made him famous, while "Dead Skin Mask" proves that he can provide a fat backbeat like the 70's Rock drummers he grew up worshipping. The drumming in the first couple minutes of the title track is some of my favorite drumming of all time, and that alone makes this record worthy of making my top 10. 

4. Mahavishnu Orchestra - Inner Mounting Flame (Billy Cobham)

Billy Cobham is maybe the most unique drummer of all time. He truly has a sound of his own. The way him and John McLaughlin interact on this record (and all Mahavishnu recordings for that matter) is intense and beautiful. It reminds me a lot of other legendary guitarist/drummer duos like Jimi Hendrix and Mitch Mitchell or Alan Holdsworth with Tony Williams. "Vital Transformation" is one of the greatest drumming performances EVER and this entire record should be mandatory for not only any drummer, but any musician who wants to hear true masters of their craft. 

5. Queens Of The Stone Age - Songs For The Deaf (Dave Grohl)

Had to put a Dave Grohl record on my list. Even though I like Nirvana a lot, they didn't really impact me in the way they did a lot of people, so my Dave pick is the infamous Queens Of The Stone Age album he played on. I remember hearing "No One Knows" on the radio when I was younger and being BLOWN AWAY by the herta fills Dave does in the chorus. When I eventually got the album and heard songs like "A Song For The Dead" and "The Sky Is Fallin'" it was a done deal for me. Easily my favorite Grohl drumming right alongside In Utero. 

6. Cro-Mags - Age Of Quarrel (Mackie Jayson) 

Age Of Quarrel is the record that influences my drumming in Red Death the most, no questions asked. I can play through this record front to back with my eyes closed. It's in my DNA at this point. I've stolen more of Mackie's beats and fills than I can even count. He's unbelievable! Before him there wasn't a Hardcore Punk drummer who had the groove or technical skill that he brought to the table. Word on the street is that Harley Flanagan wrote the drum parts, which I completely believe since he's a great drummer in his own right, but Mackie's execution is arguably the biggest part of why I've listen to Age Of Quarrel hundreds of times over the years.

7. Danzig - Danzig III: How The Gods Kill (Chuck Biscuits)

Chuck Biscuits went from being the best Hardcore Punk drummer of the 80's to the best Rock drummer of the 90's. He's an absolute monster! I could have chosen any of the first three Danzig records as my pick for this list, but How The Gods Kill holds a special place in my heart because I love the drum sound so much. Hearing Chuck's monster fills on "Bodies" and the title track always make me want to pick up the sticks and hit as hard as I possibly can. Similarly to Vinnie Appice, you always know when Chuck is behind the kit. Wish he was still playing in bands...

8. Phil Collins - Face Value (Phil Collins)

Phil often gets overlooked as a drummer because he's more well-known as a singer, but he's truly one of the best / most influential drummers who's ever lived. I mean, LED ZEPPELIN had him fill Bonham's shoes when they reunited for Live Aid in the 80's... Shouldn't that say it all? While "In The Air Tonight" is obviously his most famous drumming moment, "Hand In Hand" on this album is an excellent example of Phil's perfect combination of groove and chops. Not on Face Value, but "Inside Out" and "Easy Lover" are my two other favorite Phil Collins drumming tracks that I highly suggest you listen to if you're foolishly doubting his skill. 

9. Deep Purple - Machine Head (Ian Paice)

I could have picked Burn, In Rock, or numerous other Deep Purple albums to fill this space in my list, but overall I think Machine Head has had the biggest effect on my drumming. This record is perfect front to back and features many examples of Ian Paice proving himself to be the most dynamic and tasteful drummer in 70's Rock. He's almost like a combination of Bonham and Moon in the sense that he has huge power and groove but can also blow you away with his insanely fast fills. Most drummers don't have both!

10. Government Warning - No Moderation (Brandon Ferrell)

I'd be lying to myself if I didn't include No Moderation in my list... This record changed Ace (Red Death's guitar player) and I's life when we heard it back in high school. Both of us practiced our asses off so that we could play our respective instruments along to the entire record, and it had a huge part in shaping the way both of us play. I still steal stuff from this record CONSTANTLY. RIP Brandon Ferrel!"