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At a glance, here’s the long line of Black Sabbath’s drummers:

• Bill Ward  
• Vinny Appice  
• Bev Bevan  
• Eric Singer  
• Terry Chimes  
• Cozy Powell  
• Mike Bordin  
• Brad Wilk  
• Tommy Clufetos  

Black Sabbath drummers 

Bill Ward – Black Sabbath’s first drummer  

Years with Black Sabbath: 1968-1980, 1983-1984, 1994, 1997-2006 and 2017 

Bill Ward was there from the very beginning, co-founding Black Sabbath in 1968 and laying down the foundations of their early sound. His drumming on albums like Paranoid and Master of Reality helped shape what heavy metal would become, mixing bluesy grooves with a jazzy swing that you don’t often hear in the genre.

Just listen to “War Pigs” – the way he controls the dynamics and plays with timing really set Sabbath apart from other bands at the time. Ward’s background in big band and jazz drumming – shaped by influences like Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich – gave him a unique style. 

Over the years, he played on 11 of the band’s studio albums. But despite his huge influence, ongoing health problems and struggles with addiction meant he stepped away from the band multiple times between 1980 and 2006. In the end, he wasn’t part of their final reunion concert in 2017. 

Ward started with Ludwig and Slingerland drum kits, along with Zildjian cymbals. If you want to achieve a similar sound to the early Sabbath era, check out the Ludwig Continental 22” 4pc Shell Pack. You can pair this with the iconic Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum to achieve that classic metal tone.

He also used Speedking pedals in those early days – a firm favourite for many drummers in the ’70s. Later in his career, he switched to Tama drums and Sabian cymbals. 

Vinny Appice 

Years with Black Sabbath: 1980 – 1982. He then played on and off with the band between 1991 – 1992 and 1998 – 1999.  

Vinny Appice joined Black Sabbath in 1980 during the Heaven and Hell tour, stepping in after Bill Ward’s sudden departure. His first gig at Aloha Stadium in Hawaii was far from ideal – with crib notes ruined by the rain and last-minute gear – but he still pulled it off. 

He brought a heavier, more direct drumming style that helped shape albums like Mob Rules (1981), Live Evil (1982), and Dehumanizer (1992), all featuring Ronnie James Dio on vocals. His playing locked in tightly with Tony Iommi’s riffs, adding precision to Sabbath’s sound. In fact, there’s a stark contrast between Appice’s aggressive, powerful sound and Ward’s looser, jazzier feel.

Appice was inducted into the Hall of Heavy Metal History in 2017, recognised for a career built on power, consistency, and knowing exactly how to elevate the music, even on short notice. 

Bev Bevan

Years with Black Sabbath: 1982 – 1983 and 1987 

Bev Bevan joined Black Sabbath for the Born Again tour in 1983, then returned in 1987 to record percussion on The Eternal Idol. Best known for his work with Electric Light Orchestra, Bevan brought a heavier, more direct style.

His drumming on the Born Again tour was powerful and, to be honest, straight-up no-nonsense, giving Sabbath’s live sound a raw, thumping edge. He also appeared in the videos for “Trashed” and “Zero the Hero” – both fan favourites from the Ian Gillan era. 

During this time, Bevan used a Yamaha Stage Custom kit, known for its solid build and strong projection – great for loud, high-energy sets. Similar setups are available, such as the Yamaha Stage Custom Birch 22” 6pc Shell Pack, which includes an extra tom for that huge rock and metal setup.  

Although his time with Sabbath was short, Bevan made a strong impression with his volume and intensity.  

Eric Singer 

Years with Black Sabbath: 1985 – 1987 

Eric Singer joined Black Sabbath in the mid-1980s, playing drums on Seventh Star (1986) and The Eternal Idol (1987). These albums came during a more experimental phase for the band, and Singer’s tight, punchy playing helped keep things grounded.

Singer’s drumming on Seventh Star – which was originally meant to be a Tony Iommi solo album – leans more towards hard rock than Sabbath’s earlier sound. By the time of The Eternal Idol, he added a stronger metal edge, especially on tracks like “The Shining”, helping to set the tone for the band’s late-’80s revival.  

At the time, Singer played Sonor drums. He currently endorses Pearl drums and even has his own signature snare. He pairs his kits with Zildjian cymbals and sticks – including his own Eric Singer Artist Series sticks – and typically uses Remo or Terry Bozzio Attack heads. His setups also often feature ddrum acoustic triggers. 

Singer moved on not long after his stint with Sabbath, but his impact on their mid-’80s catalogue is still easy to hear. 

Terry Chimes

Years with Black Sabbath: 1987 

Terry Chimes, best known as the original drummer for The Clash, joined Black Sabbath for a short spell in 1987. He was part of The Eternal Idol tour and also showed up in the music video for The Shining, adding his name to a key moment in the band’s late-’80s story – even if it was a brief chapter. 

Chimes brought his sharp punk rock background to Sabbath’s changing sound in the late ’80s. His drumming on the tour was solid and driving – a clear contrast to some of the flashier styles that came before him.

Chimes didn’t appear on any studio recordings with Sabbath, but his presence on tour came at a crucial time, providing a constant during a run of line-up changes. A punk drummer stepping into a metal band wasn’t something you saw often back then, and that crossover brought a subtle edge to Sabbath’s live shows.

Cozy Powell

Years with Black Sabbath: 1988 – 1991 and 1994 – 1995  

Cozy Powell joined Black Sabbath in 1988 and played on several albums, including Headless Cross, Tyr, and Forbidden. His drumming added a real sense of power and grandeur to the band’s late-era sound, helping to recapture some of the drama and scale that defined their early records. 

Powell was a seasoned pro, having played with the likes of Jeff Beck, Rainbow, and Whitesnake before joining Sabbath.

Powell played Yamaha drums and Paiste cymbals, along with a Premier 252 single bass drum pedal – all gear known for its power, clarity, and durability. This pedal was discontinued, but a similar pedal is the Premier 0205 Single Bass Drum Pedal – its dual chain design offers great playing response.  

Although Powell’s time with Sabbath came to an end in the mid-’90s, his impact was lasting. Tragically, he died in a car crash in 1998. His legacy lives on – not just through the many bands he played with, but in the weight and presence he brought to Sabbath’s later recordings. 

Mike Bordin 

Years with Black Sabbath: 1997 

Mike Bordin stepped in for a brief but memorable stint with Black Sabbath in 1997, filling in for Bill Ward on their reunion tour. Known for being the drummer of Faith No More, Bordin brought a fresh, aggressive energy to the live shows.

It was a crucial time for the band, with the original line-up back in the spotlight, and Bordin helped keep that momentum going. Even though he’s left-handed, Bordin plays a right-handed drum kit with the ride cymbal on the left – a pretty quirky setup.

His style is heavy but controlled, which made him a great fit for Sabbath’s sound, especially when tackling the older material live. Bordin wasn’t a stranger to the Sabbath circle – he’d already been playing with Ozzy Osbourne before stepping in with the full band.

Brad Wilk 

Years with Black Sabbath: [2013] 

Brad Wilk came on board in 2013 to record 13, Black Sabbath’s final studio album. Best known for his work with Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, Wilk brought a stripped-back, groove-heavy style that fit perfectly with producer Rick Rubin’s vision, taking Sabbath back to their raw, heavy roots. 

Wilk’s drumming on 13 played a big part in helping Sabbath recapture the feel of their early records, while still sounding fresh. His work on “God Is Dead?” helped the band earn a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2014.

On the track, his sparse, powerful playing creates atmosphere and lets the riffs breathe, all without losing any of the intensity. One of Wilk’s most recogniseable sounds is his snare tone, thanks to a Tama Bell Brass snare, known for its bright, cutting attack, and strong projection.

If you want to achieve a similar sound, check out the Tama Mastercraft 14 x 6.5″ Cast Bell Brass Snare Drum. It’s a popular choice in hard rock and metal for good reason. While Wilk didn’t tour with Sabbath, his work on 13 earned him a place in their legacy.  

Tommy Clufetos

Years with Black Sabbath: 2012 – present 

Tommy Clufetos stepped in as Black Sabbath’s touring drummer in 2012, following a solid stint with Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band. While he didn’t play on their final album 13, he was the driving force behind their live shows from 2013 onwards – including the massive Worldwide Reunion Tour and their farewell run, The End. 

Clufetos first took the stage with Black Sabbath in May 2012, stepping in for Bill Ward. His first shows were in Australia and New Zealand, followed by a standout performance at London’s Hyde Park. He was also behind the kit for The End tour, which wrapped up with the band’s final show in Birmingham – a historic moment captured on The End concert DVD. 

Clufetos brought serious energy and precision to Sabbath’s live shows, nailing material from across their entire career. His physically dramatic playing style gave him a pretty commanding stage presence. 

He plays DW drums, Meinl cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, and Remo heads – all professional-grade gear suited to hard-hitting, high-volume performance.

Many of these items are readily available for drummers looking for robust, road-tested equipment, such as the DW collectors series – we think it’s the perfect setup to achieve Clufetos’ sound. 

FAQs 

How many drummers did Black Sabbath have? 

Black Sabbath had nine main drummers throughout their career. While Bill Ward was the original and most iconic, others like Vinny Appice, Bev Bevan, and Tommy Clufetos also played key roles during different eras. Lineup changes were common due to health and musical direction shifts. 

Who is the new drummer for Black Sabbath? 

The drummer for Black Sabbath in their final touring lineup was Tommy Clufetos. He performed during their farewell tour, The End, after Bill Ward was absent due to contract disputes. Clufetos brought powerful energy and had previously played with Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band. 

Is Bill Ward a good drummer? 

Bill Ward is one of the greatest drummers! He played a vital role in shaping Black Sabbath’s heavy, innovative sound with jazz-influenced rhythms and dramatic tempo changes. His style was crucial to the band’s early success and musical identity. 

Final thoughts  

Every Black Sabbath drummer brought something different to the band, contributing to an iconic, long-lasting legacy. Now, bear with us as we put on “War Pigs” and whack the volume up.