Chris Hemsworth Trains with Parkway Drive’s Ben Gordon for Ed Sheeran

Chris Hemsworth has taken on a new challenge: learning to play drums under the guidance of Ben Gordon, the drummer of the acclaimed Australian metalcore band Parkway Drive. This unexpected collaboration is part of Hemsworth’s preparation for a performance with Ed Sheeran during the singer’s stadium tour, highlighted in the new Disney+ series, Limitless: Live Better Now.

In a teaser clip for the show, Hemsworth expresses his excitement and nerves, stating, “The task is set. I’ve got around two months of prep until I have to go and play with one of the biggest performing acts on the planet. So, I need one hell of a teacher.” He emphasized Gordon’s impressive talent and unique approach to drumming, describing him as having a “Buddhist approach” that contrasts sharply with the intensity of the metal genre.

Gordon, who has been part of Parkway Drive since their formation in 2003, shared insights about their friendship and this unique teaching opportunity. “We became friends six or seven years ago when he moved to Byron Bay,” Gordon said in an interview with The AU Review. “We’ll go for a wave together when we’re both home, which is not very often to be honest.” He noted that the experience has deepened their friendship, despite its randomness.

The episode will showcase Hemsworth’s journey learning the drums, culminating in a performance with Sheeran. While Sheeran is known for his collaborations across various genres, including performances with Limp Bizkit and a forthcoming track with Cradle of Filth, Hemsworth’s involvement adds a unique twist.

Gordon revealed that Hemsworth struggled to keep time during rehearsals with Parkway Drive, leading to some frustration for the band’s frontman, Winston McCall. “I’ve never seen Winston be the bad guy,” Gordon commented, adding, “Chris told me afterwards that he was thinking, ‘Wow, these guys are full on.’ He said he didn’t know if we were being real or not.”

Fans can witness the results of Hemsworth’s drumming lessons and his appearance alongside Sheeran on Limitless: Live Better Now, which is currently available for streaming on Disney+.

In addition to this exciting project, Parkway Drive is gearing up for their 20th anniversary European tour, set to kick off on September 19, 2023, in Leipzig, Germany, and will reach the UK on October 4. With both Hemsworth and Parkway Drive making headlines, music enthusiasts and fans alike have much to look forward to in the coming months.