Shawn Drover

Shawn Drover

“Drover”

Shawn Drover is the longest-serving drummer in Megadeth history (a full decade), and his arrival coincided with the band's revival and stability in the new millennium. Born in Montreal in 1966, Shawn grew up influenced by both classic metal and prog. In 1993, he formed Eidolon with his brother Glen, where he stood out not only as a drummer but also as the main composer of 6 albums. His musical versatility also included guitar, which he learned as a youth. Shawn joined Megadeth in an unexpected situation: in October 2004, six days before the comeback tour began, Mustaine called him to replace the newly reinstated Nick Menza, who couldn't continue due to health/fitness issues. Drover, who was initially only going to accompany his brother Glen as a spectator, ended up behind the drums on the opening night of the tour. From then on, he became a permanent member, providing rhythmic solidity, precision, and above all reliability – he was known for rarely making mistakes live and for keeping composure even in the fastest songs. He recorded four studio albums with Megadeth, leaving his mark on tracks like 'Never Walk Alone' (where he co-wrote parts) or 'Head Crusher', nominated for a Grammy in 2010 and whose original demo Shawn composed. His drumming style is less jazzy than his predecessors, but very powerful, with influences from Slayer and Pantera, ideal for modern Megadeth. In addition, Drover brought stability: he never missed a concert in 10 years and was Mustaine's confidant in many decisions. During the Gigantour 2005 tour, he even played guitar on 'Peace Sells' while Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) sat at his drums, showing his multi-instrumentalist side. In November 2014, Shawn surprised fans by announcing his departure from Megadeth, expressing his desire to explore his own musical interests. That same day, Chris Broderick also resigned, and together they founded Act of Defiance, focused on extreme metal. With Act of Defiance, they released two well-received albums (2015 and 2017), before pausing when Broderick joined In Flames. In 2023, Shawn unveiled a new project with Glen called Withering Scorn, returning to the power-thrash style they both love. Shawn Drover is beloved by the Megadeth fan community; his friendly manner at autograph signings and his humor (shown in backstage videos) made him approachable. In retrospect, he was a key factor in keeping Megadeth running in uncertain times, and his longevity in the band allowed him to enter history as the group's most enduring drummer. His powerful playing is recorded on the albums, and although he now follows his own musical path, he will always be remembered as the rhythmic engine that drove Megadeth through a fertile decade.