Gemma “Gems” Sofia is an Italian drummer from Rimini. Born in 2005, she started playing drums in 2016 when she joined the first Rockin’ 1000. A versatile drummer, particularly passionate about old school death metal and thrash metal. Her drumming is mainly inspired by remarkable bands from the old school metal scene, such as Death, Cynic, Morbid Angel, Atheist, Cannibal Corpse, Nile, In Flames as well as Leprous, Sleep Token, Poppy and Lorna Shore.

She grew up approaching Sean Reinert, Gene Hoglan and Pete Sandoval’s drumming, always eager to learn more. Starting from spending most of her time blasting on iconic 90’s metal tracks and seeing up close her favourite bands and drummers performances, she started studying at the age of seventeen with her teacher George Kollias and also refined her skills since she was fourteen attending various international masterclasses and drum camps (Lab Drum Camp in Greece and Palazzuolo Sul Senio Drum Camp), in which she also won some awards through the years, with renowned drummers like Mike Mangini, Thomas Lang, Anika Nilles, Gergo Borlai, Baard Kolstad and Chris Coleman!

She started playing in local clubs and theatres at the age of fourteen for several bands from Italy. She now moved on to the global scene playing for the metal bands Vindicta (Ex-Dogma), under the name of Kali, and Godiva (Symphonic Black Metal band from Portugal), with which she had performed on international stages and festivals across Europe, Australia, and Japan, bringing on stage a huge amount of energy for the audience. She also had the opportunity to open for notable bands like Morbid Angel, Rotting Christ, and My Dying Bride etc.

She brings pure metal energy and passion for both music and drums on every performance, delivering speed and power on stages all around the world. Her presence behind the drums is a powerful example of the strong power of music: she effects everyone with joy, smile and positivity. This is the core of her drumming.