Metal music demands intensity, precision, and stamina. Behind the wall of heavy guitars and growling vocals lies a powerful engine: the drum. The drummer in a metal band holds an essential role, responsible not just for keeping time, but for driving the aggression and energy that defines the genre. Learning how to play metal drums isn’t just about hitting harder or playing faster—it requires a combination of technique, discipline, endurance, and deep musical understanding.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know to play metal drums, from foundational skills to advanced techniques, gear, practice strategies, and musicality. Whether you’re a beginner exploring metal for the first time or an intermediate drummer looking to sharpen your blast beats, this article covers it all.
Understanding Metal Drumming
What Makes Metal Drumming Unique?
The drum parts in metal music stand apart due to several defining characteristics:
Speed: Fast tempos, often exceeding 200 BPM, are common. Drummers must develop quick footwork and hand speed.
Aggression: Metal drumming requires powerful, assertive hits to match the intensity of the music.
Technicality: Complex time signatures, polyrhythms, and syncopated accents demand advanced coordination.
Precision: Even with extreme speed, metal drumming should be tight and clean, often aligning with guitar riffs.
Double Bass Mastery: Most metal genres rely heavily on double bass drumming for both fills and grooves.
Styles of Metal Drumming
There are many subgenres in metal, each with its own drumming style:
Thrash Metal: Fast-paced with galloping beats and lots of ride cymbal work (e.g., Slayer, Metallica).
Death Metal: Heavy use of blast beats and complex patterns (e.g., Cannibal Corpse, Death).
Black Metal: Atmospheric with relentless blast beats and tremolo riffs (e.g., Darkthrone, Mayhem).
Progressive Metal: Emphasizes odd time signatures and technical proficiency (e.g., Dream Theater).
Metalcore/Deathcore: Mixes breakdowns, chugs, and high-speed drum fills (e.g., As I Lay Dying, Whitechapel).
Essential Gear for Playing Metal Drums
Drum Kit Configuration
A typical metal drum kit is larger than standard kits and includes:
Bass Drums: Double bass pedals or two bass drums are a must.
Snare Drum: A sharp, sensitive snare for articulate hits.
Toms: Usually 3–4 toms for fills—one or two rack toms and one or two floor toms.
Cymbals: Multiple crash cymbals, one or two ride cymbals, and several splash or china cymbals for accents.
Double Bass Pedals
Invest in a quality double bass pedal. Top brands include:
- Tama Iron Cobra
- DW 9000
- Pearl Eliminator
- Axis Longboard
Pedal response, beater angle, and spring tension are crucial for executing fast, controlled kicks.
Sticks and Heads
Drumsticks: Consider thicker sticks like 2B or 5B for durability and power.
Drumheads: Use reinforced heads like Remo Emperor or Evans EC2 for toms, and Evans EMAD or Remo Powerstroke for bass.
Triggers and Electronic Pads (Optional)
To cut through dense guitar mixes, many metal drummers use drum triggers on the kick and snare for consistent sound in live or recorded settings. Hybrid setups with electronic pads also allow for sample triggering.
Foundational Techniques for Metal Drumming
Posture and Setup
Good posture enables better stamina and control. Sit upright, with your drum throne at a height where your thighs are parallel to the ground. Angle your toms and cymbals for easy reach to reduce unnecessary movement.
Grip and Hand Technique
Use matched grip for consistency and leverage. Focus on wrist motion with a relaxed grip, letting the stick rebound naturally. For high-speed work, finger control is essential—keep your fingers close to the stick for quick adjustments.
Foot Technique
There are several foot techniques used in metal drumming:
Heel-Up: Lifting the heel for more power. Ideal for aggressive playing.
Heel-Toe: A technique that allows two strokes per foot movement—excellent for high-speed double bass.
Swivel Technique: Pivoting the foot side to side to reduce leg fatigue during extended fast sections.
Basic Metal Drum Rudiments
Before diving into blast beats, build solid fundamentals:
Single Strokes: RLRL, essential for speed.
Double Strokes: RRLL, useful in fills and rolls.
Flams: A grace note followed by a full stroke, common in snare accents.
Paradiddles: RLRR LRLL, builds independence and transitions between toms and snare.
Metal-Specific Techniques and Patterns
Blast Beats
A hallmark of extreme metal. The most common variations include:
Traditional Blast: Alternating snare and bass on every 16th note with steady ride or hi-hat.
Bomb Blast: Snare and bass hit simultaneously.
Hyper Blast: Accentuated snare hits on off-beats or syncopated rhythms.
Double Bass Patterns
Start slow and gradually build speed. Practice basic exercises like:
- 8th-note hands, 16th-note feet
- Alternating hand and foot hits
- 16th-note rolls with consistent dynamics
Breakdowns and Groove Drumming
Metalcore and djent styles often incorporate breakdowns. These slower, syncopated parts require precision and feel. Use open hi-hats, ghost notes, and kick accents to enhance groove without losing heaviness.
Fills and Transitions
Metal fills often span the entire drum kit. Examples include:
Linear fills (no overlapping hits): Kick, snare, tom, cymbal variations.
Triplet fills: Useful for creating tension before blast sections.
Polyrhythmic fills: Create complexity by layering contrasting note groupings (e.g., 5 over 4).
Building Speed, Endurance, and Control
Metronome Practice
Play with a metronome religiously. Start at a tempo you can comfortably maintain and increase it in small increments. For blast beats and double bass, tracking BPM progress is helpful.
Timed Drills
Set a timer and play a specific drum pattern for 3–5 minutes without stopping. This builds both stamina and focus. Examples:
- 3-minute double kick runs at 180 BPM
- 4-minute blast beat endurance practice
Dynamic Control
While metal is loud, it’s important to master dynamics. Practice ghost notes, volume variations on toms, and cymbal swells. Controlled playing at low volume sharpens your touch and improves overall articulation.
Developing Independence and Coordination
4-Limb Independence Exercises
To play metal well, you must control each limb separately. Try exercises such as:
Keeping a steady ride pattern while alternating snare and kick accents
Playing blast beats while tapping a quarter note pulse with your hi-hat foot
Switching between different feet patterns while maintaining consistent hands
Foot-to-Hand Synchronization
Use exercises that alternate between hand-led and foot-led phrases to tighten your coordination. For example:
16th-note snare to kick transitions
Flam accents leading into double bass bursts
Song Learning and Application
Analyzing Metal Drum Parts
When learning songs, isolate the drum parts by ear or with notation. Identify:
- Tempo and time signature
- Groove sections vs. blast sections
- Fills and transitions
- Use of double bass patterns
Use tools like Guitar Pro, Drumeo, or YouTube slow-down features to transcribe complex patterns.
Learning by Genre
Pick iconic songs from various metal styles:
Thrash: “Angel of Death” – Slayer
Death Metal: “Hammer Smashed Face” – Cannibal Corpse
Black Metal: “Freezing Moon” – Mayhem
Progressive Metal: “The Dance of Eternity” – Dream Theater
Jam with Backing Tracks
Use genre-specific drum backing tracks to practice playing in context. This improves your musicality and helps you apply what you’ve learned in a realistic setting.
Advanced Concepts in Metal Drumming
Odd Time Signatures and Polyrhythms
Progressive and technical metal often incorporate unconventional rhythms. Practice:
- 5/4, 7/8, 9/8 time grooves
- Overlaying a 3-note pattern over a 4-beat pulse
- Combining blast beats with shifting time feels
Trigger Integration and Sample Blending
Advanced drummers often blend acoustic drums with triggered samples. Learning to balance your natural playing with electronic augmentation can elevate your live and studio performance.
Live Performance Preparation
Metal drumming in a live setting is physically demanding. Prepare by:
- Playing full setlists during practice
- Using ear protection and in-ear monitors
- Creating a reliable setup for fast kit breakdown and setup
Practice Routines for Metal Drummers
Here’s a sample weekly drum practice schedule:
Day 1: Speed & Stamina
Double bass drills (10 minutes)
Blast beat variations (15 minutes)
Full song practice (20 minutes)
Day 2: Rudiments & Hands
Stick control exercises (15 minutes)
Triplets, paradiddles, and flams (10 minutes)
Hand-led fills (20 minutes)
Day 3: Coordination & Independence
4-limb independence (20 minutes)
Polyrhythms (10 minutes)
Improv over backing track (15 minutes)
Day 4: Song Learning
Transcribe a new song (20 minutes)
Focus on tricky fills (10 minutes)
Play along at full speed (15 minutes)
Day 5: Grooves & Breakdowns
Practice breakdowns and half-time feels (15 minutes)
Work on dynamics and ghost notes (10 minutes)
Create original groove ideas (15 minutes)
Tips for Long-Term Growth
Record Yourself: Listening back to your playing reveals areas for improvement.
Stay Fit: Physical conditioning improves endurance. Consider cardio and core workouts.
Stay Inspired: Follow drummers like George Kollias, Eloy Casagrande, Chris Adler, and Mario Duplantier for technique ideas.
Join a Band: Real-world experience is the best teacher. Apply your skills in a live context.
Conclusion
Learning how to play metal drums is a rewarding journey that pushes your limits physically and creatively. With commitment, the right practice structure, and a passion for rhythm, you can master this explosive and expressive form of drumming. From furious blast beats to crushing breakdowns, the power of the drum in metal is undeniable—and now, it’s your turn to drive that power forward.
Whether you’re starting with simple double kicks or breaking down Meshuggah-level polyrhythms, remember: every great metal drummer began where you are now. Practice with purpose, hit hard with control, and keep pushing the boundaries of what your drum kit can do.
Related Topics
- How to Use Snare Drum?
- What Is the Best Drum Practice Pad?
- Is an Electronic Drum Set Good for Beginners?
