Aaron Edgar is the drummer for Canadian prog-metal band Third Ion, where he showcases some of his most rhythmically adventurous playing. The resulting sound is heavily polyrhythmic, including a song almost entirely based in quintuplets called Van Halien, from their debut release, 13/8bit. 

Following the success of his educational drum videos on YouTube he was brought on as the first ‘satellite’ instructor on Drumeo.com. Where he broadcasts weekly live lessons from his personal studio in Manitoba, Canada to this day. On top of this, he started writing articles for Drums Etc magazine and within a year, took on the role of Editor in Chief. During his year and a half as editor he helped transition the magazine into a more education-based format. 

In 2015 Aaron started writing Modern Drummer’s Progressive Drumming Essentials column which focusses on advanced rhythmic concepts and metal drumming. Aaron has also written and published his own book, Boom!! The Beginner’s Guide To Making Noise which is available on his website.

BORN IN: Winnipeg, Manitoba

LIVES IN: Winnipeg, Manitoba

DRUMMING SINCE: 1995

FAVOURITE ALBUM YOU PLAYED ON: Third Ion – Biolith

FAVOURITE ALBUM YOU DIDN’T PLAY ON: Vital Tech Tones

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Being in Modern Drummer magazine.

FAVOURITE SABIAN CYMBAL: My 23” Nonagon Fierce Ride

SETUP

It’s not possible to indicate the exact models I use in my setup below so I have used some alternatives that get as close as possible to indicate what my setup consists of. Here are the details for that:

12″ AA Mini Chinese over 14″ HHXplosion Crash  =  12/14″ Max Stax Brilliant
8″ HH Splash over 10″ HH China Kang  =  8″ Max Stax
10″ HH China Kang over 10″ HH Splash  =  10″ Max Stax
21″ HHX Fierce Ride  =  18.5 Radia Power Bell Ride
22″ HHX Legacy Heavy  =  18.5 Radia Power Bell Ride OR 23″ Nonagon Fierce 
16″ HHX Ozone over 17″ AA Holy China  =  15″ HHX Groove Hat (With Aero Holes) over the 17″ AA Holy China
13″ HHX Evolution Hats  =  17″ HHX Compression / Fierce Hats
14″ HHX Evolution Hats  =  17″ HHX Compression / Fierce Sizzle Hats