The GOAT

Excited to share this video with you all on what would have been Jimmy’s 43rd birthday. Gone too soon, but still inspiring countless drummers around the world. 🙏🏻

When I was 14 I got to meet A7X in San Francisco at my first Warped Tour. I met M. Shadows first and as I got down the line for them to sign my poster I broke down and cried because I was meeting my favorite band. When I got to Jimmy, I was having a hard time breathing because I was crying so much. He took my hand and held it. He told me he wouldn't let go until I stopped crying. He held my hand as long as he possibly could and was consoling me because he knew how much A7X and their music meant to me. After I saw them I was sitting on the ground to take a break and they walked by. He tapped me on the shoulder to say hi and see how I was doing. On my 18th bday I was at Disneyland and my dad called me to tell me Jimmy passed. I was heartbroken. My birthday used to be filled with celebration but every year I mourn Jimmy. It's a reminder to not take things for granted. My best friend has the same bday as M. Shadows and he passed away near my bday as well. I've been bullied my whole life because I'm different and when that comment bothers me, I remember that Jimmy was his authentic, silly self that didn't care what anyone thought. We love and miss you Jimmy.

Jimmy's backup vocals on the bridge of Afterlife legit bring tears to my eyes every time

A7X drum covers are basically its own sub-genre, due to Jimmy's musicality and technicality. Some A7X songs almost feel like standards to me, a rite of passage for many drummers. Inspired a generation, gone decades too soon. Great video 👏🏼

His vocals were so underrated. They complemented the lead so well.

Drumeo be out here cutting onions... I never realized Jimmy did so many of the iconic backing vocal and piano parts, that makes them so much more meaningful. Ill be revisiting they're earlier work very soon.

The rev still lives on in their newest album. Brooks studied his cadence as you showed in his video to incorporate his spirit into their album. Incredible Masterpiece BTW.

Bro I haven’t seen the “Spoonful of Jimmy” clip in years. I’m choked now. The man was a true blessing, helped me understand that people can be suffering entirely in silence. What a beautiful soul.

I've always said "City of Evil" is the greatest drumming showcase I've ever heard and almost 20 years later, it's still top dog.

I was really into A7X when I was growing up. The Rev was definelty one of my favorite drummers. Getting older, I stopped listening to them but recently found myself finding older music that would be "meme" or "dad rock". I finally bought tickets to see them this year. Never let this music die.

The more you study his style and compositions, the more astonishing his skill and creativity becomes. Seriously, one of the greatest to ever have lived

Met Jimmy on Warped Tour, and we stayed in touch over the years. He was much more than an amazing drummer, he was an incredible friend. Watching him play, whether it was drums or the piano, it was like watching magic. I've been watching for less than a minute and I'm already fighting off tears... thank you for doing this tribute.

The Rev's drumming was truly iconic. Instantly recognizable and extremely musical. RIP Jimmy. Never forgotten!

Drumeo, You really honoured the Rev & highlighted so many overlooked tracks and made favourites that much more special

a drummer, a pianist, a singer, a song writer, a legend

I will never regret as a 15 year old, trading two gameboys, 7 games, and some money for a ticket to see A7X live in Auckland, New Zealand in 2008. Growing up Jimmy was (and still is) my idol. The reason I picked up drumming. Happy Birthday Jimmy

This guy was the reason I wanted to play drums! R.I.P. the Knife Master 🤘

So many times I physically got chills watching this. Jimmy was largely responsible in me becoming an actually competent drummer by trying to follow in his footsteps. My mom, who has never been the biggest fan of me, or my musical taste, sat me down when I came home from school one day and very sincerely and tactfully informed me that he had passed... she knew how much he meant to me and who I was becoming. It's not a good memory, but it's an important one to me. Even as my own mother knowing we'd quite possibly never fully understand each other, she knew how much a7x meant to me and wanted to be there for me as I tried to piece together the news of his passing. Not a day that stings, or means any less almost two decades later.

throughout the video I imagined the rev with his drum kit, maybe long hair, a little beard, dad glasses, trousers and t-shirts of his favorite band, his smile and jokes during an interview session .. we miss you jimmy 🥹

This has to be the best tribute to Jimmy "The Reverend Tholomew Plague" Sullivan ever. Great job Drumeo.

Finally, Jimmy gets the respect he deserves. In my opinion the most creative drummer of all time.

i'm not even a drummer but Jimmy inspired me a lot. His musicianship is what got me see music in other different way, he was truly a unique individual, a great drummer, an incredible voice, a genius songwriter, just insanely talented musician as a whole and was one of a kind. Thank you for this video drumeo you sum it up pretty well. Happy birthday Jimmy, we miss you!

Out of all of the celebrities or musicians that have passed, Jimmy is the one that hurts the most. I'm so glad you included Pinkly Smooth, I absolutely love that EP. I just think Jimmy is a one of a kind. He's just such an individual that will never be repeated or replaced. I love the job Brooks is doing for him and the band. I miss his voice (no I didn't know him personally, but I mean on records) and I know I can (and still do) listen to all of the old records with his voice on it but I just wish I had more. Such an incredible drummer and a really incredible tribute to him. Thank you @Drumeo

I’ll never forget the day he died. I was 19 and listened to A7X all through my school years… cried myself to sleep that night. I’m 33 now, and still shedding tears for the loss of this legend. If only he could see how much he inspired other musicians and how massive his legacy is.

So glad Pinkly Smooth was given some much-needed attention and acknowledgement 🤘

Never got the chance to see a7x with Rev, he was my favorite in the band and when he passed I was heartbroken. I'm so glad to see him get more recognition over the years, RIP Jimmy!

Rev will always be one of the best drummers of all time. Also dude Brandon has chops great job playing these songs.

Drumeo, you have my fucking respect for making this

Jimmy is the top influence of why I play set. Thank you Brandon, and everyone at drumeo for this. Brought a tear to my eye. Reminds me of why I miss my hero. Being 28 now, it’s chilling knowing how short his life was, but damn, what an impact this man made. We miss you, bud.

Never gave this band a chance. There is a lot I don’t like about their genre/ style (mostly vocals), but hearing them for really the first time and how incredible his drumming is has opened me to give it some listening. Actually a lot of what I didn’t like when I first heard Slayer when I was younger.

The Rev was one of my biggest inspirations as a drummer. I spent so many hours trying to learn Unholy Confessions, Bat Country, and Beast and the Harlot. Memories i will forever cherish. I remember hearing about his passing because it was the first time I felt genuinely sad about a famous person's death. It changed my entire perspective about the meaning of life. RIP REV. We all miss you.

Hands down the best of his generation, to see how his skills progressed and only wonder how good he would of gotten with his caliber of drumming. Rip Rev

Wow, this is a tearjerker for sure. Happy birthday and RIP Rev, your legacy in A7X will live foREVer. 🥁🥁🥁

I was fortunate enough to see Jimmy's last ever performance with A7X at the Sonisphere Festival in 2009. It was impossible to take your eyes off him. He was just an absolute beast behind the kit and I remember him breaking a pedal at one point during the show because of how hard he was going.

I still consider, even in my 30+ years of being a musician and a fan of all genres of music, I still call The Rev the most talented musician of all time. All of the other greats were sort of siloed to a degree. Jimmy had no silo. He wrote aspects of music that were ALL over the map as far as styles, instrumentation, and feel. I wish I had gotten to meet him. Rest in peace, Jimmy, you have inspired generations of musicians in all genres of music. We love you buddy!

Just dive into any Avenged song featuring The Rev and you'll be blown away by all the intricate details. He used his set tastefully and with power. Great video breakdown! The Rev will always be the best!🤘

It was such an honor to see him play live. I am so grateful that I had the chance front row to watch The Rev shred. Happy Birthday Jimmy. You are truly missed through out the world . RIP Brother. I just wanted to add when I did see the Rev live. It was in Orlando at the UCF Arena. taste of chaos . I noticed Nicko mcbrain from iron maiden stood at the side of his drum set the whole time he played that was very very cool. It just goes to show you the revs influences just how much his mind loved all kinds of music . He is definitely a genius and I would say a scientist at music and theory.

Saw this on the day it premiered. Happened to be visiting in HB and spent some time with Jimmy's dad just like I do every year. We've become pretty good friends since the first time I came out about 5 years ago. The two of us spent a bit talking about this video and how great it was. It touched his heart in the best way. This was incredibly well done Drumeo. Thank you Brandon for creating this masterpiece, it easily gained Jimmy's family's approval and warmed their hearts.

Thank you Brandon and the team for this video, it's the most beautiful tribute to The Rev I've ever seen. You can tell everyone truly loves and misses the guy, and his impact to the music industry as a whole is massive. That's some good shit right there

Probably the most influential drummer of my life. It’s amazing how much of his personality came through in his playing and I really think he showed my generation how fun it can be to challenge yourself. I really miss him.

I started playing drums 17 years ago because i listened to The Rev a lot during high school. i am not from the USA but i stumbled upon A7X in the website MyLocalBands by accident and it changed my life forever. i cant say that i'm the biggest A7X fan and i cant say that i am a very good drummer but i picked up drum sticks solely because of him. RIP Jimmy. We love you, we all do.

Rev definitely helped me learn to incorporate fills more methodically, always felt like we had similar styles. Absolutely amazing guy, RIP.

I get goosebumps everytime I listen to the revs drumming breakdowns. He was phenomenal. Never be another Jimmy... RIP

Jimmy was and still is my all-time favorite drummer and influence. I’ll never forget meeting him on warp tour in 2005 and he became so down to earth to just talk music with strangers. I met him again in 2008 taste a chaos tour in Rochester and reminded him that we’ve met before he remembered something we talked about back in 2005. that’s just amazing person that he was. PDP released a version of his drum set up and playing on those drums and acting like Jimmy really continued, inspiring me to keep playing and keep experimenting. When Jimmy passed my first tattoo was his dedicated skull bat on my shoulder and I have the word forever on my back. I saw the band in early 2018 opening for Metallica, I had my shirt off and was in the front row and Johnny and syn pointed at me, saw my tattoos dedicated to Jimmy actually eventually met them after the show in the bus parking lot where we chatted had a couple beers and talked about Jimmy. Jimmy was not only an amazing human being, but he was surrounded by amazing human beings and I’m truly extremely lucky I had those opportunities with him in the band.

And this is why you are a cut above, Drumeo! I'm not even a hardcore fan and still found this to be extremely respectful and heart-felt. Thanks a bunch guys. Kudos.

The REV will always be known not only for his insane skills but his addicting personality and ability to pretty much create entire songs like a little piece of heaven, his impact was more than just music. Rest In Peace Jimmy

Impossible not to shed tears watching this. What an absolute legend. Miss you Rev

THANK YOU for mentioning Pinkly Smooth. Jimmys musicianship and vocals truley shines on that record. Rip the King 👑

There won’t be another drummer like The Rev, and he will always be missed. Brooks does a great job with The Rev’s stuff, and brings a fun variety with his own parts too, but Jimmy will always be missed. I’m also glad you included his vocals, that’s definitely something I’ve missed since his passing, I love how raw his voice is and how well it fits with M Shadows’

First heard The Beast and The Heartlot when i was about 9 from my older bro and i was hooked! Always listening to the drums in music and never get sick of listening to the Rev RIP

I started playing drums because I heard blinded in chains and absolutely lost my mind. My first band was basically a tribute band to A7X. I saw them live on Feb. 7, 2007 as my first concert ever. I will NEVER forget that experience. Absolutely crushed me when I found out he passed away. Is and will ALWAYS be my favorite drummer. Rest easy💜 Thank you for making this video.

I appreciate The Rev much more now than I did before. I am just discovering him, I had no idea he was this Legendary. I apologize for not knowing about him earlier.

This is the video I needed today. Video hasn’t even started yet and I’m tearing up. The rev and joey jordison are my favorite drummers and I learned everything from them. And their gone. There’s a void in my life without them!

i saw this 3 months ago when it was released and i never listened to sevenfold, i never knew who the rev was. But this actually made me pick up vocals again and now i'm singing a lot while on drums in my band, so thank you for inspiring me to get out of my comfort zone and do something new!

My favourite rock drummer. I'm primarily a bassist and the grooves and fills he played were so unique. Truly one of a kind which is highlighted by his 3 successors, all of whom are unbelievable talents, never quite matching the feel of his parts. They have done so much to honour his work while bringing new life to it with their own flavour and flair. The self titled album has some of the best drumming I've heard.

I never knew Mike Portnoy did the drum parts on that album. Very cool. He and The Rev are two of my faves.

I'm probably in the same boat as countless others, but The Rev was my inspiration to take up drumming. I set up my kit like his, tried to emulate his showmanship, even took a photo of him to a hairdressers and asked for his hairstyle. I don't listen to A7X as much as I used to and as great as they are, the newer albums just feel like they're missing a spoonful of Jimmy. Watching this and seeing how they breakdown different songs and patterns fills me with such pride that I learned to play them from ear and can still thrash out their first five albums from memory to this day. RIP Reverend Tholomew Plague, one of my biggest regrets in life will always be never getting the chance to see you perform in person. Gone, but never EVER forgotten.

Brandon and the Drumeo staff, this is amazing. Please do more, these are amazing to show my 2 young boys who The Rev was! The Rev showed me that a drummer CAN indeed sing and play.

The Rev has always been my idol. It feels ridiculous but it changed me after he passed. I never got to meet him but i did see them when my drummer bestfriend took my for my birthday to see them soon after. One of a kind.

A lot of drummers do get the recogniction they truely deserve... But man alive he was just leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else. His kick drum speed and bursts we're as if they we're coming from another world. Just a truly worthy orignal musician.

I feel really lucky to have these guys as my high school age music. I can't imagine growing up in these recent years to find something like this. I'd probably have to dig deep in spotify or something.

I remember I was introduced to A7X because of Need for Speed. I was blown away by "Blinded in Chains", and 90% of that was because of Jimmy. Thank you for this in depth analysis of his music, you really made great efforts to preserve his legacy. FoREVer.

The Rev was truly one-of-a-kind. No one else blends a wide variety of rhythmic styles so seamlessly in ways that compliment the music so well, often at high beats-per-minute.

The rev inspired me to play drums in the high level, inspired me to sing and learn to sing and play drum at the same time and inspired me to compose my own musics. thanks for inspiration, knife master! always will be remember by me! Jimmy was and is a Genius!

A7X helped me get out of a deep depression. The Rev had a major hand in that. Here was a guy who just didn't care what others thought about him and did whatever he did. I looked up to him as one of my biggest inspiration on how to live life. Got your deathbat tattooed on my left arm as a constant reminder to live life how I want to live it. FoREVer

i'll never forget that morning when i woke up and found out he passed. forever my biggest drum inspiration. a man truly built different.

Just wanna say this was a top to bottom amazing video on one of the greatest drummers ever. Thank you! He’s single handedly inspired my son who is a drummer and currently 8 y/o. Thank you Brandon

I was lucky enough to be at the final show The Rev ever played with A7X (at Sonisphere 2009). It was one of the best gigs I have ever been to. I remember being so, so excited to see them that weekend. The previous time I had seen them, at Twickenham Stadium supporting Iron Maiden in 2008, had been cut short due to a crowd crush/someone fainting during Unholy Confessions. I remember it all so clearly. What a shame for the entire musical world it was to have The Rev die so young.

After idolizing local bands in our country, I went to KZfaq to explore foreign artists and stumbled upon Avenged Sevenfold. Since then, they've become my musical influence. The Rev, in particular, is my drumming hero to this day. His unique talent and creativity make him a true music and drumming genius. It's interesting to note that when I discovered he wrote some songs for A7x and provided strong backup vocals, I tried doing the same in our band. HAHAHA!

Drumeo did their homework for this one. This is a fantastic remembrance for one of the best rock talents of our era. Having loved A7X since warped tour 03, definitely cut some onions watching. Well done.

The Rev was the first drummer who truly inspired me. I joined middle school band in 2007 and bought my first ever CD, their self-titled album. I still look back at the old clips of him just being himself whenever I need a good laugh or humbling moment. And I will continue to look back at this video whenever I need a good cry. Thank you @brandontoews and Drumeo for this and every video that you put out. Keep 'em coming.

I’m so happy time has really been good to his legacy. I remember in the early 2000s moving from listening to Rush/Toto/DT to these upstarts called The Rev and Travis Barker, and being told I didn’t know what good drumming was, they were just chop soup or something. I’m glad folks like him are getting their due as some of the best drummers of their era, and even of all-time.

Thank you Brandon and drumeo for this tribute ❤

I’ve always known The Rev was a great drummer, but without any technical education or background myself, I didn’t realize just how gifted he was. Thank you for this and for breaking it down in a way that educates but also honors a lovely man and gargantuan talent 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

dudes been my hero since I was 12 (28 now). will always remember exactly where i was when i was reading the myspace bulletin that jimmy died. always gonna be one of my favorite bands. glad to see he's still getting his props

@0:20 "Im gonna run into the woods and never come back... And when I come back..."😂

This was the first time I ever felt true sadness from the passing of an icon/star. When The Rev passed I was truly saddened and felt like the world had lost a one of a kind talent that will never be replaced. I saw A7X live about 4 times in one summer and I loved ever moment.

I feel like no matter what accolades Sullivan gets, he will always be underrated. Music suffered a considerable loss when he passed. Imagine the stuff he would be putting to tape today. Miss you, man.

He was the best drummer I’ve ever seen, and so grateful to have the pleasure of seeing him live before he passed away. RIP Jimmy

I'm so happy drumeo decided to made this kind of documentary. I remember the first time I discover of drumming world and The rev is my first "idol"

My favorite drummer 🎉 foREVer 🤜

Jimmy The Rev Sullivan influenced me so much to want to start metal drumming. His double base is the thing of legend along with his double rides. His voice and singing thanks so much for featuring it. One of the reasons I am a vocal drumer as well.

I just want to thank you for doing the deep dive and including various songs and examples. I never could really articulate how much The Rev inspired and helped shape my musicianship. Many videos go on about his life and the most popular songs though it never left like it covered enough. This video feels like a great encapsulation of Jimmy's talent, music and being. The only thing left to do after watching this video, if you didn't know of the Rev, is to just listen to the music he brought to life with his best friends. Thank you

I miss this guy to this day... I listen to Pinkly Smooth everyday, he was so brilliant. ❤

Thank you all Drumeo guys for your hard and regular work! Jimmy "The Rev" is definitely one from "The Greatest" team.

I discovered A7x in 2005, a mutual friend introduced me to the Album City Of Devil, I found the drum lines, guitar solos, vocals surreal... My connection with music goes far beyond rock (metal...) It all starts in 1995, my first contact with the drums, through an uncle who had a studio and played country music. I was amazed by the instrument. However, I only managed to buy a battery in 2009 (Just on the day of Michael Jackson's death, on 06/25/2009 if I'm not mistaken). At first I thought the purchase was crazy, but it was very desirable. I never took classes, I always practiced on my own. The Rev was one of the drummers who, through the internet, pushed me into the style that I still follow today! I have no words to say how important he was... I went through some bands, but today it's been about 6 years since we stopped, unfortunately. However I never stopped listening to A7x and trying to get some songs out! I don't have time to record and post, but I really want to do this, who knows! I would like to say a big thank you to Drumeo for this video in honor of The Rev! From the small town of Delfim Moreira - Minas Gerais - Brazil - to the World! Rip The Rev THANK YOU!

I cannot put into words how important The Rev was to me. Not only the love for the drums and playing drums, but for the band, for the sound, for the music, for the entire universe that A7X is in. He was the first one that truly inspired me. There are many nuances that he was a part of and still remains here, foREVer.

Super pumped for this one!!! Theres not enough The Rev videos out there

Thanks for sharing Drumeo, he was a true talented soul. I remember playing along to Avenged Sevenfold tracks with books and pencils when I was 9, then my dad bought me a kit and all I wanted to play was double bass because of Beast and The Harlot. Jimmy was a true artist, you'll foREVer be remembered ❤‍🩹

This video made me smile so much! Hearing his drumming was one of those milestone moments that made me so excited about music. Miss him greatly

i can never emphasize enough the impact that jimmy had on me. i picked up drumming at 10 years old, right before he passed away. i had a collage of pics on the wall next to my drum kit so that every time i played, it was dedicated to him. his legacy will foREVer live on!!!

Wow. GREAT video. I'll never forget the day he passed.😢 Man, I cried like a baby. It hit me hard because I had JUST seen them in concert not long before he died. And at the show, it was his birthday. They played happy birthday, as all of us in the crowd sang it. It was kickass. I'll never forget being a part of Jimmy's last birthday. Now excuse me while I go listen to A7x for the next 3 years straight.😅😊

Great work on the video. I wasn’t expecting to cry today, but it feels good celebrating his memory

Jesus Christ... I never thought I'd cry during a Drumeo video, but there you go. Thank you for doing this. Thank you, The Rev, and A7X, for transforming my entire sense of music and making me want to become a drummer. And thank you again, Drumeo, for helping me achieve that.

I'll never forget the day, I was 17 years old and my friend arrived at my house in the morning to tell me about Jimmy's death, it was very sad, was very hard to believe... he was my idol and still is today. I play drums and he is my inspiration to this day.

Finding out that Jimmy basically wrote some of my band favourites emphasises why he’s a legend that cannot be replicated. Damn, Jimmy, you’re So Far Away.

The rev was one of a kind, truly amazing drummer

City Of Evil was definitely the album that got me into drums. Especially Beast And The Harlot. Rip legend

bro the video ended and then i noticed my eyes are watering😭 rip the rev the best drummer, musician and person ever, the GOAT