I have a nephew who is immersed in metal-style music and is a drummer. I’d like to get him a gift this Christmas relating to a famous or most popular drummer in that genre but I haven’t a clue who that might be. A Google check gives me this comprehensive list but I have no idea who would appeal to a 17-year-old.
Take that list and cross-check it with CDs the kid owns. Then look for something featuring a drummer that belongs to a band that you know he listens to.
FWIW, if he’s really into metal, it’s hard to believe he wouldn’t know who Dave Lombardo is. Lombardo is easily one of the 3 or 4 best and most-recognized drummers in metal. Paul Bostaph (who also played with Slayer) is another, as is Charlie Benante.
Mike Portnoy & Gene Hoglan are also well known and respected drummers.
A lot of those guys have put out lessons over the years, in addition to their more creative endeavors, so you don’t have to just get your nephew a CD, btw.
A 17 year old’s definition of into metal might be a little different from yours or mine. OP, you’d be best off asking your nephew for some bands he’s into and giving us some more info.
Well, I guess I could ask but the little ass hasn’t come to a family gathering since becoming a “teenager” and his parents are so interested they don’t even bother to get him out of bed anymore.
I was hoping to get something “gifty” like these and not a music CD.
Give him a dose of history and let him hear Alex Van Halen. He’ll be glad you did.
Unless you know for sure that those are the sticks he uses, don’t buy him those. Drummers can be very picky about the size, weight, finish, balance, etc. of the sticks they use, and the wrong ones are just that. Wrong. The “Autograph Models” aren’t actually autographed; they are supposedly designed to the artist’s specs, but even that is mostly just marketing.
Instructional DVDs by one of the artists already mentioned might be cool, but they can be a little pricey. (I’d go with either Portnoy or Peart, myself, but his taste matters more than mine should.) You can get some idea of who’s hot right now by looking through the music section of a good magazine rack and making note of which drummers are getting the ink in magazines targeted to his preferences (look for lots of black ink and umlauts). 
If you know or can find out what kind of drums or cymbals he uses (or better still, what kind he wants), you can probably find a t-shirt, sweatshirt or hat with that brand’s logo. (Most drummers have a couple of black Zildjian shirts in their closet or on their floor). A band logo would work, too, if you can find out who he likes. The first thing I thought of (to answer your original question) was Adrenaline Mob’s Mike Portnoy, but that’s probably my own predjudice.
Good to know about the drumsticks. I will probably play it safe with a logo t-shirt.
Thanks for all your help!