Chris Kontos (drummer)

Chris Kontos (born June 25, 1968) is an American drummer, born in New York City.[1] As a former drummer of the heavy metal band Machine Head, he performed on their first album, 1994's Burn My Eyes.[2][3] He and the band parted ways in 1995, before their second album.[4][2][3] He played in many bands and projects before and after that period of time, including Testament, Konkhra, Attitude Adjustment, Exodus, Death Angel, and Verbal Abuse.[2][5] Kontos is recognized by his peers for his performance on songs—notably in "Davidian"—which are "considered by many as classic pieces of metal drumming".[2]

Kontos performed with Machine Head for the first time in 24 years with a tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of Burn My Eyes in 2019,[4][6] though, he never officially rejoined the band.[7]

On April 19, 2023, Kontos was announced as the drummer for the reactivated band Forbidden.[8]

Kontos currently uses Ddrum drums, Soultone cymbals, Vic Firth drumsticks, and Czarcie Kopyto pedals.

  1. ^ Tania (n.d.). "What Are the Best Metal Drummers?". Sound UnSound. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "Chris Kontos rejoins Attitude Adjustment on stage". Drummerszone. n.d. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Monger, James Christopher. "Biography: Machine Head". Allmusic. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Three-Fourths Of Machine Head's 'Burn My Eyes' Lineup To Reunite For 25th-Anniversary Tour". Blabbermouth. March 25, 2019. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  5. ^ "20 Questions with Chris Kontos, 8/16/05". Metal Sludge. December 16, 2005 [Interviewed August 2005]. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  6. ^ "Machine Head Announces 'Burn My Eyes' 25th-Anniversary European Tour Dates Feat. Chris Kontos, Logan Mader". Blabbermouth. March 25, 2019. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  7. ^ "Machine Head Kicks Off 'Burn My Eyes' 25th-Anniversary Tour In Freiburg, Germany". Blabbermouth. October 6, 2019. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  8. ^ "San Francisco Bay Area Thrash Metal Pioneers FORBIDDEN Announce Comeback: 'This Is Not A Reunion; It's A Rebirth'". Blabbermouth.net. April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.