Guns N' Roses have announced Isaac Carpenter as their new drummer, a decision that sees the band continuing to refine its line-up while retaining a thread of familiarity. Carpenter’s association with bassist Duff McKagan dates back to his tenure with Loaded, McKagan’s post-Guns N’ Roses project, where Carpenter contributed to the band's 2011 album The Taking.
In a statement unveiling the appointment, the band described Carpenter as a musician whose approach "uniquely blends versatility and groove with crushing force and technical skill, cementing his reputation as a multifaceted drummer in the industry." Such praise suggests a confident endorsement from a band that has long thrived on its own unique fusion of chaos and precision.
Carpenter's path to Guns N' Roses is marked by a wide and varied career. Most recently, he spent over a decade with Awolnation, featuring on their last five studio albums. His early years saw him co-found Loudermilk, a band formed during his high school days that found modest yet earnest success. Beyond these ventures, Carpenter has collaborated both on stage and in the studio with artists as disparate as Adam Lambert, A Perfect Circle, and The Exies — a testament to his adaptability and musicianship.
The announcement of Carpenter's arrival followed the amicable departure of Frank Ferrer, whose run with the band began in 2006, making him the longest-serving drummer in Guns N’ Roses' storied history. The band’s statement expressed gratitude for Ferrer's contributions, acknowledging "his friendship, creativity and sturdy presence over the past 19 years," and wishing him "success in the next chapter of his musical journey."
With Carpenter now in place, he becomes the sixth drummer to sit behind the kit for Guns N’ Roses. The role has seen a succession of figures: Rob Gardner in the band's earliest days, Steven Adler through their explosive rise, Matt Sorum during their grandiose Use Your Illusion era, Josh Freese in the late '90s, Bryan “Brain” Mantia from 2000 to 2006, and, until recently, Ferrer. Each has left a distinct imprint, shaping the band's evolving sound across decades marked by turbulence and reinvention.
Carpenter's debut with the band is set for the Because What You Want & What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things world tour, a title that evokes both a sense of mischief and reflection — qualities never far from the band's heart. The tour begins in Incheon, South Korea, on May 1 and is currently scheduled to wrap up on July 31 at Wacken Open Air, a pilgrimage of metal and hard rock in northern Germany. Notably, the itinerary omits North America, an absence that has already sparked speculation among fans.
As Guns N' Roses prepare to unleash their latest incarnation on the world stage, Carpenter’s presence behind the kit may prove to be both a steadying influence and a fresh burst of energy — a balance the band has often sought and seldom maintained.
