Career
Derek has been playing drums since the age of 9. He is completely self-taught and also writes music on guitar and bass for his band Seemless. His resume boasts some of metals top visionaries, including most recently, Massachusetts based metal outfit Unearth and underground sludge-core super group Kingdom of Sorrow.
Kingdom of Sorrow"s debut album was released in February 2008, debuting at #131 on Billboard Top 200.
He has also spent time in Shadows Fall, Icepick, and a host of studio work that has demonstrated his diverse playing, while always maintaining a style all his own. He has also coined the term "Brutal Groove", which best describes his style.
He was also officially named as Unearth"s new drummer. In late 2010, Derek announced his departure from Unearth and immediately toured with The Ghost Inside on their "Returners" 25 date European tour.
Another new project with Matt Bachand and Jon Donais of Shadows Fall fame has surfaced in the form of a heavy and 80"s influenced rock/metal band called Dead of Night.
In late 2014, a new supergroup featuring Derek & Brian Fair of Shadows Fall surfaced in the form of Downpour and rumors have been flying through the metal industry for months claiming they have an entire record finished and they are just waiting for the "right label" before releasing. According to his Myspace page www.myspace.com/derekkerswill Also found at www.purevolume.com/derekkerswill
Derek Kerswill uses United States of America Custom, New Classic, and Renown Maple Gretsch drums, a variety of snare drums, and Gibraltar Hardware. He also uses and endorses Aquarian drumheads, Vater drumsticks (he uses X-Treme Designs "Punisher" and "Warrior"), Extra Large Specialty Cases and Meinl cymbals.
Current tour kit (2008-2009)
Gretsch Drums & Meinl Cymbals:
Drums - New Classic Maple in Deep Cherry Gloss
10x8" Tom
12x9" Tom
13x10" Tom
14x14" Floor Tom
16x16" Floor Tom
22x18" Bass Drum
14x6.5" Gretsch Banged Brass Snare
Cymbals – Meinl
14" Mb20 Heavy Soundwave Hi-Hats
22" Mb20 Heavy Ride
18" Byzance Traditional Medium Crash
19" Mb20 Heavy Crash
20" Mb20 Heavy Crash
20" Byzance Traditional China
Unearth - "Live From The Apocalypse" Digital Video Disc (2008).