Frank Schilperoort
Metal drummer Frank ‘Skillpero’ Schilperoort (GOD DETHRONED) has toured world wide with metal bands such as INCANTATION (US), DIABLOLICAL (SE) and THE MONOLITH DEATHCULT (NL). With roots at a percussion group, a rock cover band and performances with a brass orchestra, Frank’s metal drumming is soaked with a variety of influences.
From local drum band to double bass
Frank got his first snare drum lesson at the local marching band / percussion group when he was eight years old. After 2 years of lessons and marching the streets, he got his first full drum set, started taking lessons in that and joined the brass orchestra. Then, at 12 year old, he picked up hard rock and metal. Frank: “Playing along with Green Jellÿ (thanks, oom Arjan \m/), White Zombie and Iron Maiden for a few years laid a good base, but as my musical discoveries and preferences became more extreme, I couldn’t keep up. Igor Cavalera at Sepultura, Lars Ulrich at Metallica, Dave Lombardo and Paul Bostaph at Slayer; I just didn’t get how these guys had such speed in their feet. Until I discovered they used 2 kick drums. Time for a double pedal! While putting the hours in that, I took drum lessons from Peter Weissink in various styles like funk, jazz and latin. Funny enough, he also got me into Death with ‘Individual Thought Patterns’. Peter was a fan of Gene Hoglan‘s drumming and from that day I have been too. I was just as amazed by Sean Reinert† and Richard Christy‘s performances on their respective Death albums. Other drummers upping my bar in the early days are Nick Barker, Pete Sandoval, Nick Menza and Raymond Herrera, to name a few.”
The DEVIOUS decade-and-a-half
Shortly after becoming friends in secondary school, guitarist Guido de Jongh† and drummer Frank Schilperoort started their own metal band. After a few years of rehearsing covers, joined by guitarist and friend Wouter Huitema, the trio set the official founding date for DEVIOUS in the year 2000.
DEVIOUS gained a respectable status and following in the local and Dutch metal scene, also heading out further into Europe on tours with KRISIUN, MERAUDER and ENTOMBED. Frank: “DEVIOUS was my prime band for 14 years, a very big period of my life. From the start it meant building something with my friends, sharing experiences like our first show, first tour, first studio efforts, first record deal and so on, up to and including our farewell show in 2014. Even so, I needed more and joined or founded a number of bands in the meantime, such as IRMIN, THE SCARLET CLAW and ALTAR. There have been periods when I had 3 active bands. Rehearsing, recording, promoting, playing shows, all the while ploughing through high school and bachelor education, and always working side jobs as well.” Later on, those side jobs made way for teaching drums, which Frank has done for several years.
Moving on: the Hired Gun
It was early 2014. While DEVIOUS was preparing for their farewell show, Frank got a message from John McEntee that he and Jill needed a drummer for FUNERUS to fill in on their show at Neurotic Deathfest. “I was recommended by ALWIN ZUUR of Asphyx. He is from the same town as me, he did ESCUTCHEON and we did some locally legendary grindcore together. Anyway, I got along with John and Jill very well and the festival show was great. A European tour followed and they even had me over to the US. Oh yeah, Alwin and I are also on FUNERUS’ 7 inch ‘The Black Death’.”
Session drumming proved the way for Frank Schilperoort to move his drumming career forward. Engagements with brutal metal act DICTATED and self-proclaimed ‘Supreme avant garde death metal act’ THE MONOLITH DEATHCULT were made, tours were done and albums were recorded. For some years, Frank Schilperoort session-toured with INCANTATION and more internationally acclaimed artists, in Europe, Asia, North & Latin America and Australia & New-Zealand.
God Dethroned
In 2020, Frank got a call from Henri “THE SERPENT KING” Sattler to recruit him as MICHIEL VAN DER PLICHT’s successor as GOD DETHRONED’s permanent drummer. “Having shared the stage in DICTATED, we knew we would work well together. Also, I really dig the music and the challenging drums would be a great opportunity to up my drumming game.” After an obvious YES, it took some time to get on stage. But the first show as GOD DETHRONED’s drummer was definitely one to remember. “It was at the Obscene Extreme festival in 2021. Great show, a lot of madness around us, and then some.” In 2024), after some great shows and small tours (Latin America! 70K Tons of Metal!), GOD DETHRONED ‘s singke Rat Kingdom hit the streams. A few more singles followed until the first full length album with Frank Schilperoort on drums ‘The Judas Paradox’ was released on September 6. “I’m very excited about the release of this record. It’s a milestone for me. I’m also very proud to have produced the drum recordings and post production myself, with a little help from KRIMH and JENS BOGREN.”
Fall 2024, God Dethroned joined the Epic Prophecy for Europe tour, along Patriarkh, Vltimas and Ater.
Bands & projects
Here’s all the bands & projects I am or have been active with, either as session drummer or full member. These are only the bands I’ve toured or played shows with. Find out about the albums and other releases I’m on in my studio drumming discography.
| Band/project | Drummer role | Origin | From | To | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Now drumming for: | |||||
| God Dethroned | Band member | NL | 2020 | present | LatAm tour 2022, 70K Tons 2023 |
| Incantation | Live/tour session | US | 2018 | present | Canada tour, June 2018 |
| The Monolith Deathcult | Live & studio session | NL | 2015 | present | Graspop 2017 (BE), Eistnaflug 2017 (IS), special guest for Cradle of Filth (2024) |
| Past bands & projects: | |||||
| Shining | Live/tour session | SE | 2018 | 2020 | Euro Tour 2019 |
| Harmonie de Eendracht | Concert session | NL | 2018 | 2018 | New Years concert |
| Diabolical | Live/tour session | SE | 2017 | 2017 | Romania tour / Rockstadt Festival |
| Dictated | Live & studio session | NL | 2014 | 2020 | India/Nepal tour 2017 |
| Rockzooi Karaokeband | Band member | NL | 2011 | 2018 | All live karaoke madness |
| Funerus | Live & studio session | US | 2014 | 2015 | Black Death EP 2015 |
| The Scarlet Claw | Band member | NL | 2011 | 2016 | Black Orchard (EP 2011) release show |
| Altar | Band member | NL | 2003 | 2007 | Germany tour 2003 (my first) |
| Irmin | Founding member | NL | 2003 | 2009 | The raw energy of it all. |
| Devious | Founding member | NL | 1998 | 2014 | Europe tour 2009 (w/ ENTOMBED) |
| Stedelijk Orkest Borne | Member | NL | 1990 | 1998 | The foundation of my drumming. |