Gunnar Coston

Gunnar Coston powers Wicked with a high-octane drumming style fueled by the soundtrack of his youth—Loudness, Twisted Sister, Ozzy, Judas Priest, and other giants of heavy rock. Inspired by legends like Tommy Aldridge, Scott Travis, Rob Zombie, and Alice Cooper, he brings a ferocious mix of precision, attitude, and theatrical flair to every performance. His playing channels the raw, rebellious energy of classic metal while driving Wicked’s sound into the modern era.

SongStory

Gunnar Coston's story as told through musical moments.

SongStory

Who are your favorite drummers?

"When it comes to drummers, honestly, I'd have to say the absolute beast of a player we have right in our own band, Gunnar, is truly a favorite...."

WIBy Wicked

Who are your favorite drummers?

When it comes to drummers, honestly, I'd have to say the absolute beast of a player we have right in our own band, Gunnar, is truly a favorite. I mean, he's the real star of the show back there. Watching him just go at those drums, smashing them with such incredible energy, is genuinely one of the most entertaining things I've ever seen. We're all about giving the crowd a full, theatrical experience, a real performance where you get what you pay for, and Gunnar's powerful, electrifying playing is a massive part of bringing that energy and showmanship to life. He truly is cool to watch.

SongStory

Youth

A story about an influence.

"Growing up, even though I've always leaned towards the heavier side of music, my earliest memories are filled with the spectacle of bands like Alice Cooper and Twisted Sister...."

A story about an influence.

Growing up, even though I've always leaned towards the heavier side of music, my earliest memories are filled with the spectacle of bands like Alice Cooper and Twisted Sister. There was just something so captivating about their theatricality; it really grabbed me. As I got a bit older and started exploring more, my dad was instrumental in introducing me to the raw power of thrash, specifically bands like Overkill. That really shifted my perspective and opened up a whole new world of sound. Now, those foundational influences, from the grand theatricality to the pure thrash energy, all come together in what I create, especially bringing in that Overkill intensity to the band's sound.

SongStory

Youth

What is the first artist, album, or song you remember from childhood?

"When I really dig back into my earliest memories of music, it was without a doubt the grand, theatrical acts that first grabbed hold of me...."

What is the first artist, album, or song you remember from childhood?

When I really dig back into my earliest memories of music, it was without a doubt the grand, theatrical acts that first grabbed hold of me. I remember always loving bands like Alice Cooper and Twisted Sister when I was growing up. There was just something so captivating about their big, dramatic shows and sound; it really resonated with me and set the stage for my passion for heavier music.