Guns N’ Roses have announced Isaac Carpenter as their new drummer.
Following yesterday’s news of the band’s longest-standing drummer Frank Ferrer leaving the band, GnR wasted no time to announce their new drummer this morning (March 21).
Taking to social media, GnR’s official social media account posted a photo of Carpenter standing behind the band’s drumkit, writing: “Welcoming Isaac Carpenter as the new drummer of Guns N’ Roses”
For those who don’t know him, Carpenter was the drummer of Duff McKagan’s band Loaded between 2009 and 2011, and appeared on the 2011 album The Taking.
Most recently, for the last ten years, Carpenter has been the drummer for Awolnation, appearing on their last five albums. He’s also worked alongside the likes of Adam Lambert, A Perfect Circle and the Exies.
"Carpenter has made a name for himself by uniquely blending versatility and groove with crushing force and technical skill, cementing his reputation as a multifaceted drummer in the industry," an official statement read.
As you’d expect, fans have had mixed reactions about the news.
It’s clear that a heap of fans wanted either Steven Adler or Matt Sorum to return to the band.
Adler, the band’s original drummer, was a key part of their classic Appetite for Destruction era, bringing a loose, hard-hitting swing to their sound. Unfortunately though, his struggles with addiction led to his departure in 1990, and while he’s made guest appearances with the band in recent years, a full-time return has never materialized.
Sorum, who replaced Adler, played on Use Your Illusion I & II and The Spaghetti Incident?, as well as during the band’s early ‘90s stadium-filling peak. His powerful, precise style helped define the band’s sound during that era, and he was also part of Velvet Revolver with Slash and Duff McKagan. Like Adler, many fans see him as part of the band’s golden years and hoped he would step back in.
One person wrote on social media, “Who?! We wanted Matt Sorum or Steven Adler!!”
While another wrote, “Nothing against the new guy, but were Steven and Matt not available? (Or asked?) ugh 😑”
But there’s still plenty of people out there who are excited for Carpenter, and keen to hear how his style is gonna work with the band.
One person wrote, “This band is going to absolutely CRUSH. Isaac is amazing! Congrats, my friend.”
Another wrote, “Welcome, hope you have a good time, excited to see how he'll perform live.”
Whether you love or hate the news, fans won’t have to wait long to see how Carpenter goes, with the band kicking off their Summer 2025 tour in May.
