What Is Modern Drummer Magazine?

Updated

Modern Drummer is a drumming magazine published both online and in print, aimed at drummers and the broader percussion community. It covers drummer news, artist interviews, podcasts, lessons, and gear reviews, alongside community features such as a readers poll, a drummer hall of fame, and a Neil Peart scholarship. If you want drumming journalism, artist insight, or educational material in one place, it is built for that purpose; if you need something narrower, such as a single product's technical specs, you will need to check whether a specific review or article covers it.

What the Site Offers

The publication describes itself as "the best online and print drumming magazine" and frames its audience around joining "the greatest community in drumming." Its content areas, as listed on the site, include:

  • Features and artist interviews — long-form profiles and conversations with working drummers
  • Gear reviews — equipment coverage
  • Drum lessons and education — instructional content
  • Videos — including cover features, metal content, stick work, and rig rundowns
  • Podcasts — listed among the site's core offerings
  • News — drummer and industry updates
  • Community programs — Readers Poll, Drummer Hall of Fame, and the Neil Peart Scholarship
  • VIP Backstage — described as exclusive access, including meet-and-greet entry

There is also a shop carrying back issues, books, bundles, apparel, and branded merchandise, plus artist packs.

Who It's For

The site suits readers who follow drumming as a craft and a community: players looking for lessons and gear guidance, fans interested in interviews with well-known drummers, and anyone who wants industry news in one publication. The mix of instruction and journalism means it works as a general destination rather than a single-purpose tool.

What the Current Coverage Looks Like

Recent features shown on the site give a sense of the editorial range:

Feature Subject
Godsmack's Sully Erna and the "Battle of the Drums" Two-drumset performance moment in Godsmack's live show
Mike Mangini: In Perpetual Motion Mangini's next chapter after leaving Dream Theater
Cindy Blackman-Santana Talks About Her New Record, Coherence New album and its guest musicians
The Warped Tour Then and Now Warped Tour's 30th anniversary, with drummers Joe Sirois and Chris Hesse

These are artist- and event-driven pieces rather than straight product listings, which reflects the magazine's feature-oriented approach.

Subscriptions and Access

The site promotes subscription plans and currently displays a new-member offer of two months free with an annual plan. A promotional code, HOLIDAY10, is advertised for 10% off subscriptions plus a free Mike Portnoy Artist Pack. A login option exists on the site, and subscription links appear in the main navigation.

The available material does not state prices, full plan tiers, or whether any content is accessible without an account, so check the subscribe page directly for current terms before committing.

How to Use It

  1. For news and interviews — browse the features and news sections; the homepage surfaces current cover stories and artist pieces.
  2. For learning — go to the education and drum lessons sections for instructional material.
  3. For gear decisions — read the reviews section, keeping in mind that a review reflects the reviewer's assessment rather than a specification sheet.
  4. For community participation — the Readers Poll, Hall of Fame, and scholarship pages are the entry points.
  5. For merchandise or back issues — the shop carries bundles, books, and apparel.

If your goal is to follow a specific drummer or a specific piece of gear, use the site search rather than browsing sections, since coverage is spread across features, reviews, and news.