Who knew that Sully Erna, frontman for Godsmack and #47 best heavy metal vocalist (according to Hit Parader magazine) was also a proficient hard rock drummer? Everyone except us, apparently, and that includes Yamaha, who chose Sully to demonstrate the new Yamaha Rock Tour Drum Kit at Winter NAMM 2010.

We spoke with Sully about his history with Yamaha and about his impressions of the new kit. Yamaha Rock Tour drums were designed with a more aggressive voicing and a musician-friendly price tag. The nine-ply shells are available in two finishes: Matte Silver or Textured Ash (Sully is shown jamming on the latter finish). According to Yamaha the Rock Tour Drums are also designed to be "microphone-friendly," for easy micing on stage or in studio.

To reinforce who the intended audience of the line is, Yamaha has been giving young, unsigned, actively performing drummers free Rock Tour Kits to tour with, and three of the so-called Rock Tour Rebels were on hand at the NAMM unveiling as well: Jeff Byrd, Chris Dalley and Ryan Peel. None of whom we interviewed. Sorry dudes.

Yamaha Rock Tour Drums should be available by April this year. Go Yankees!