# Derek Kerswill > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Derek_Kerswill > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Derek_Kerswill.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Kerswill > Source revision: 1352600152 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **Derek M. Kerswill** (born April 5, 1973) is an American [musician](/source/Musician) best known for his drumming in the bands [Unearth](/source/Unearth), [Seemless](/source/Seemless), [Kingdom of Sorrow](/source/Kingdom_of_Sorrow), and multiple fill-ins/studio projects. While no longer on the road, he continues to play in several bands in the greater Boston area. ## Biography Derek has been playing drums since the age of 9. He is completely self-taught and also writes music on guitar and bass for his band [Seemless](/source/Seemless). His resume boasts some of metals top visionaries, including most recently, Massachusetts based metal outfit [Unearth](/source/Unearth) and underground sludge-core super group [Kingdom of Sorrow](/source/Kingdom_of_Sorrow). Kingdom of Sorrow's debut album was released in February 2008, debuting at #131 on Billboard Top 200. He has also spent time in [Shadows Fall](/source/Shadows_Fall), Icepick, and a host of studio work that has demonstrated his diverse playing, while always maintaining a style all his own. He has also coined the term "Brutal Groove", which best describes his style. He was also officially named as Unearth's new drummer. Most recently, his project [Seemless](/source/Seemless) has disbanded, but the surprisingly atmospheric and pop-sensible [T A N G E N T S](/source/T_A_N_G_E_N_T_S) has surfaced as his new project, with longtime friend and song writing collaborator Dave Witham. In late 2010, Derek announced his departure from [Unearth](/source/Unearth) and immediately toured with [The Ghost Inside](/source/The_Ghost_Inside_(band)) on their "Returners" 25 date European tour. Another new project with Matt Bachand and Jon Donais of [Shadows Fall](/source/Shadows_Fall) fame has surfaced in the form of a heavy and 80's influenced rock/metal band called [Dead of Night](/source/Dead_of_Night). In late 2014, a new supergroup featuring Derek & Brian Fair of [Shadows Fall](/source/Shadows_Fall) surfaced in the form of [Downpour](/source/Downpour_(band)) and rumors have been flying through the metal industry for months claiming they have an entire record finished and they are just waiting for the "right label" before releasing. ## Equipment Derek Kerswill uses USA Custom, New Classic, and Renown Maple [Gretsch](/source/Gretsch_Drums) drums, a variety of snare drums, and [Gibraltar](/source/Gibraltar_Hardware) Hardware. He also uses and endorses [Aquarian](/source/Aquarian_Drumheads) drumheads, [Vater](/source/Vater_Percussion) drumsticks (he uses X-Treme Designs "Punisher" and "Warrior"), [XL Specialty Cases](/source/XL_Specialty_Cases) and [Meinl](/source/Meinl_Percussion) cymbals. ### Tour kit ca. 2008-2009 - **[Gretsch Drums](/source/Gretsch_Drums) & [Meinl](/source/Meinl_Percussion) Cymbals:**[1] - **Drums** - New Classic Maple in Deep Cherry Gloss - 10x8" Tom - 12x9" Tom - 13x10" Tom - 14x14" Floor Tom - 16x16" Floor Tom - 22x18" Bass Drum - 14x6.5" [Gretsch](/source/Gretsch_Drums) Banged Brass Snare - **Cymbals** – [Meinl](/source/Meinl_Percussion)[2] - 14" Mb20 Heavy Soundwave Hi-Hats - 22" Mb20 Heavy Ride - 18" Byzance Traditional Medium Crash - 19" Mb20 Heavy Crash - 20" Mb20 Heavy Crash - 20" Byzance Traditional China ## Discography - Downpour - “s/t” (2018) - [The V](/source/The_V) - "Now or Never" (2015) - [Christa Alberts](https://web.archive.org/web/20120321214834/http://www.christaalberts.com/) - "My Song" (2011) - T A N G E N T S - "One Little Light Year" (2010) - [Sonia V.](http://www.soniav.com) - "Oh Sweet Tragedy - anthems from the ashes" (2009) - [Unearth](/source/Unearth) - "The March" (2008) - [Kingdom of Sorrow](/source/Kingdom_of_Sorrow) - "Kingdom of Sorrow" (2008) - [Garuda](/source/Garuda) - "Garuda" (2008) - [Unearth](/source/Unearth) - "Alive From The Apocalypse" DVD (2008) - [Shadows Fall](/source/Shadows_Fall) - [Seeking The Way: The Greatest Hits](/source/Seeking_The_Way:_The_Greatest_Hits) - [Seemless](/source/Seemless) - "What Have We Become" (2006) - [Icepick](/source/Icepick_(band)) - "Violent Epiphany" (2006) - [Seemless](/source/Seemless) - "Seemless" (2005) - [Stryper](/source/Stryper) - "Reborn" (2005) - Robby Roadsteamer - "Okay Computer" (2004) - New Idea Society - "You Are Awake Or Asleep" (2004) - Twelfth Of Never - "Things That Were" (2003) - [Shadows Fall](/source/Shadows_Fall) - "Fear Will Drag You Down" European & Australian release - Medium - "Terra Firma" (2002) - The Rise Park - "The Rise Park" (2001) - Long Distance Runner - "s/t" (1999) - Scattered Remnants - "Destined To Fail" (1997) ## Guest appearances - [Unearth](/source/Unearth) - "Live From The Apocalypse" DVD (2008) ## References 1. [Gretsch Drums Website](http://www.gretschdrums.com/?fa=artistdetail&id=802) 1. ["MEINL CYMBALS... INSPIRE: Artists : Derek Kerswill"](https://archive.today/20120711093025/http://meinlcymbals.com/artists/artist/ARTIST/derek_kerswill.html?cHash=3397bba8cd). Archived from [the original](http://meinlcymbals.com/artists/artist/ARTIST/derek_kerswill.html?cHash=3397bba8cd) on 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2008-05-14. - [Unearth](/source/Unearth) - [Alive from the Apocalypse](/source/Alive_from_the_Apocalypse) DVD (2006). Kerswill is featured and provides live drums. - [Derek Kerswill Meinl Cymbals Page | Brutal Groove](http://meinlcymbals.com/artists/artist/ARTIST/derek_kerswill.html?cHash=3397bba8cd) [Archived](https://archive.today/20120711093025/http://meinlcymbals.com/artists/artist/ARTIST/derek_kerswill.html?cHash=3397bba8cd) 2012-07-11 at archive.today Last updated April 30, 2008 - [Derek Kerswill MySpace | Brutal Groove](http://www.myspace.com/derekkerswill) Last updated May 10, 2008 - [Derek Kerswill Pure Volume - Lunenburg, MA - Music](http://www.purevolume.com/derekkerswill)[dead link] Information on Derek. - [Garuda Myspace](http://www.myspace.com/garudaband) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Derek Kerswill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Kerswill) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Kerswill?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.