Article Lead Image

Loudwire/YouTube

Metal legend Mike Portnoy rocks out on Hello Kitty drum kit

His covers of Rush were particularly good.

 

Josh Katzowitz

Internet Culture

Posted on Oct 8, 2015   Updated on May 27, 2021, 8:25 pm CDT

Mike Portnoy is a legendary heavy metal drummer, co-creating Dream Theater (one of the most popular prog metal bands ever) and then combining with bassist Billy Sheehan and guitarist Richie Kotzen to form supergroup the Winery Dogs.

As one of the most masterful percussionists working today, Portnoy recently answered the question on most everybody’s mind. Could he play covers of metal songs on a Hello Kitty drum kit?

Well, duh:

Though repeatedly destroying the Hello Kitty drum kit—which can be procured from various online sellers for $60 to $80—Portnoy performed impressive covers of Led Zeppelin, Rush, Slayer, and Metallica with only a single bass drum, a tom drum, a snare drum, and one cymbal.

So imagine what he could do with an actual, adult-sized drum kit …

Screengrab via Loudwire/YouTube

Share this article
*First Published: Oct 8, 2015, 11:48 am CDT