Van Williams (musician)

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 used to play drums for Ashes of Ares and Armageddon, and he currently drums for Ghost Ship Octavius and musical project Pure Sweet Hell.

Van Williams
Background information
Birth nameVan Williams
Born (1966-12-05) December 5, 1966
OriginNew York City, New York, USA
GenresProgressive metal, power metal, thrash metal
Occupation(s)Musician, graphic artist, illustrator, business owner
InstrumentsDrums, vocals
Years active1993–present
LabelsCentury Media
Associated actsNevermore, Pure Sweet Hell, Ashes of Ares, Ghost Ship Octavius, Armageddon

Williams continued to play with Nevermore until 2011 when he announced along with Jeff Loomis that he was leaving the band.[1] 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.[2]

Drums: Pearl MMX maple
  • 10x8" tom
  • 12x9" tom
  • 13x10" tom
  • 13x5.5" snare
  • 16x16" floor tom

Cymbals: Sabian Cymbals
  • 22"Professional power ride
  • 18",20", professional power china
  • 8",10" rock splash
  • 17",18", rock crash
  • 8" raw bell
  • 13" rock hats
  • 14" regular hats

Drum Sticks

Promark Naturals 5b

Discography

Nevermore

Pure Sweet Hell
  • Demo 2002 (2002)
  • The Voyeurs of Utter Destruction as Beauty (2005)
  • Spitting At The Stars (2011)

Ashes of Ares
  • Ashes of Ares (2013)

Ghost Ship Octavius
  • Ghost Ship Octavius (2015)
  • Ghost Ship Octavius Delirium (2018)
gollark: How do you know corruption is 0? Do you use zfs?
gollark: I have no idea what Switzerland is like. Please check.
gollark: We could actually empirically test things.
gollark: I know, right? This would be so great!
gollark: Can we make a larger umnikos?

References
  1. "Jeff Loomis and Van Williams Leave NEVERMORE". The Gauntlet. 2011-04-21. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
  2. "Pearl Drums - All Artists". Pearldrum.com. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
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