Van Williams is the former drummer

Drummer

A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...

 of Nevermore

Nevermore

Nevermore is an American heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in 1991, they are known to incorporate elements from styles such as thrash, power, progressive, and neo-classical metal into their songs, and also makes use of acoustic guitars and a wide range of vocal styles.-Early years...

. Van Williams hails from New York where he began his music career in various bands, later relocating to Seattle, Washington in 1993. After auditioning for the band Nevermore (ex Sanctuary

Sanctuary (band)

Sanctuary is an American heavy metal band founded in Seattle in 1985. The band consisted of Warrel Dane , Lenny Rutledge , Sean Blosl, Jim Sheppard , Dave Budbill , and in the end Jeff Loomis.-History:...

) they were soon signed onto Century Media Records

Century Media Records

Century Media Records is an Independent record label with offices in the United States, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom.- Background :...

.

Williams continued to play with the band up until 2011 when he announced along with Jeff Loomis

Jeff Loomis

Jeff Loomis is an American musician, best known for his role as lead guitarist in the progressive metal band Nevermore.-Early days:...

 that he was leaving the band. Also a graphic artist/illustrator, Van has created the logos and numerous T-shirt designs for Nevermore and his other band project Pure Sweet Hell which features Van singing main vocals as well as drums. Pure Sweet Hell also features long time friends and fellow musicians Chris Eichhorn (guitars and bass) and Jim Colson (also supplying vocals). The new Pure Sweet Hell album will feature feature guitar solos from a few of heavy metal's top shredders, including Glen Drover (Eidolon, Megadeth) Steve Smyth (Nevermore, Testament, Forbidden), Chris Amott (Arch Enemy), Jeff Loomis (Nevermore) and Attila Voros (Leander, Nevermore). John Winters (Hatefist), also who contributed in the production/engineering of the record.

Equipment

Van Williams is endorsed by Pearl drum

Drum kit

A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....

s, Sabian cymbal

Cymbal

Cymbals are a common percussion instrument. Cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various alloys; see cymbal making for a discussion of their manufacture. The greater majority of cymbals are of indefinite pitch, although small disc-shaped cymbals based on ancient designs sound a...

, toontracks and Vic Firth Sticks.

Cymbals: Sabian Cymbals

• 22"Professional power ride
• 18",20",professional power china
• 8",10" rock splash
• 17",18", rock crash
• 8" raw bell
• 13" rock hats
• 14" regular hats

Nevermore

• Nevermore
  Nevermore (album)
  Nevermore is the eponymous debut album by Seattle progressive metal band Nevermore. Released in 1995 under Century Media, it was singer Warrel Dane and bassist Jim Sheppard's first release after departing from their previous band, Sanctuary, in 1994...
  
   (1995)
• In Memory
  In Memory
  In Memory is Nevermore's only EP. It was recorded in April and May 1996 and released on July 23, 1996. It features a Bauhaus medley. It was re-issued in 2006 with 5 bonus tracks, which are all demos of songs from the next full-length album, The Politics of Ecstasy.It was their first album to...
  
   (EP, 1996)
• The Politics of Ecstasy
  The Politics of Ecstasy (album)
  -Personnel:*Warrel Dane - vocals*Jeff Loomis - guitar*Pat O'Brien - guitar*Jim Sheppard - bass*Van Williams - drums*Produced by Neil Kernon...
  
   (1996)
• Dreaming Neon Black
  Dreaming Neon Black
  -Credits:Nevermore* Warrel Dane - vocals* Jim Sheppard - bass* Jeff Loomis - guitars* Tim Calvert - guitars* Van Williams - drumsAdditional personnel* Christine Rhoades - additional vocalsProduction* Neil Kernon - production, mixing, mastering...
  
   (1999)
• Dead Heart in a Dead World
  Dead Heart in a Dead World
  Dead Heart in a Dead World is the fourth studio album by heavy metal band Nevermore, released in July 2000. In a style comparable to a darker, heavier Queensrÿche, its songs range topics such as criticism of drug possession penalties to rejection of religion. The album also features a cover of...
  
   (2000)
• Enemies of Reality
  Enemies of Reality
  Bonus videos # "Enemies of Reality" # "I, Voyager" # "Enemies of Reality" -Limited edition DVD tracklist:# "Believe in Nothing" # "Next in Line" # "What Tomorrow Knows"...
  
   (2003, remixed in 2004)
• This Godless Endeavor
  This Godless Endeavor
  -Credits:The Band:*Warrel Dane - lead vocals*Jeff Loomis - guitar*Steve Smyth - guitar*Jim Sheppard - bass*Van Williams - drumsGuest Musician:*James Murphy - Special guest lead guitar on "The Holocaust of Thought"Production:...
  
   (2005)
• The Year of the Voyager
  The Year of the Voyager
  The Year Of The Voyager is a double DVD/CD released by Nevermore. It was released in Europe on October 20, 2008 and in North America on November 25, 2008 via Century Media. The set covers the "This Godless Endeavor" touring cycle, starting with live footage from the U.S...
  
   (2008)
• The Obsidian Conspiracy
  The Obsidian Conspiracy
  The Obsidian Conspiracy is the seventh album by American heavy metal band Nevermore. The album was released on June 8, 2010 in North America by Century Media and was released at the end of May in Europe. The band's previous album, This Godless Endeavor was released in 2005, making the five year gap...
  
  (2010)

Pure Sweet Hell

• The Voyeurs of Utter Destruction as Beauty (2005)
• Spitting At The Stars (2011)