From performing in front of 45,000 Iron Maiden fans to challenging the conventions of modern progressive drumming, Simen Sandnes has built a career around technical ability, musicality and a desire to keep pushing himself.
Watch the full interview HERE
Speaking to Drummer’s Review, the Norwegian drummer discussed his journey from semi-professional football to the drum kit, the importance of making complex music feel effortless, and the technique he continues to work on almost every day.
Interestingly, Sandnes was a goalkeeper before music became his full-time pursuit. Having started playing drums at ten, he eventually swapped six-hour football training sessions for six hours behind the kit.
“I’m like that as a person. Either I do something 100%, or I don’t do it at all,” he explained.
That commitment has taken him into a diverse range of projects, including Timmek, Shining, Vola and Evergrey. Of those experiences, Shining’s black jazz material pushed him furthest outside his comfort zone, demanding improvisation rather than simply learning and reproducing parts.
“It’s all of the jazz standards, like how to improvise and how to work around a theme, mixed with the aggression of black metal,” he said.
Sandnes also has a clear opinion on the direction of modern progressive music. While he embraces technical complexity, he believes it should serve the music rather than become the entire point.
“Trying to show off how good you are is a competition, while trying to make great music is never a competition,” he said.
He argues that some musicians overcomplicate their compositions unnecessarily, pointing out that intricate rhythmic groupings can sometimes be understood as a larger, more straightforward pulse. For Sandnes, the real achievement is making something technically demanding sound natural.
His perspective on performing remained just as grounded when discussing the experience of playing alongside Iron Maiden in Paris, in front of approximately 45,000 people.
As he stood on his drum throne during the introduction, the audience began clapping along before he had even started playing.
“I just looked out and I was just filled with energy. And I was like, this is going to be fun. This is going to be great.”
Away from the stage, Sandnes also teaches drums and holds a master’s degree in music performance. One of his biggest ongoing priorities is refining his grip, using a relaxed approach that allows the stick to bounce naturally rather than forcing it back into position.
Drawing on the teaching traditions associated with Freddie Gruber, he encourages students to understand how the stick’s natural movement can do more of the work.
It is a reminder that even an accomplished player is still learning.
And when asked to assemble his dream band, Sandnes picked an ambitious line-up featuring Gojira’s Joe Duplantier, Meshuggah’s Fredrik Thordendal, Evergrey bassist Johan Niemann, Leprous keyboardist Harrison White and Periphery vocalist Spencer Sotelo.
Whether that fantasy collaboration ever happens remains to be seen. But if it does, expect plenty of complexity, and, judging by Sandnes’ philosophy, plenty of groove.
