10 ICONIC metal drum intros
PIERS MORGAN! The intro of a song's main function is to grab your attention, much like how I've used this self-aggrandising numpty. It needs to lure you in and plant a seed of curiosity that will force you to see out the remainder of the track. In an age of music streaming services, where we have access to millions of songs in every style imaginable - "skweee" anyone? - deciding what to dedicate your eardrums to can be a paralysing conundrum. The search for immediacy means that unless your attention is piqued early you could easily disappear off in search of something new...or return to listening to Robbie Williams's Angels for the 1000th time. U do U.
There are plenty of intros that you will be well acquainted with - for example, you will know within mere seconds whether Rick Astley is about to get his claws into you and profess that he is "never gonna give you up". However, with a drum kit you are essentially governed by the number of things you can smack at (unless you're Terry Bozzio). So, while anyone who endured high school discos in the 90s can identify 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' from the opening 3 chord strums, drum-driven intros that are instantly recognisable are harder to find.
And when I say drum-driven I mean we are only including songs that start with an isolated drum bonanza - I don't want a whiff of feedback or an overly eager grunt from the singer getting in the way. Although, if there happens to be a song that features a contentious five seconds that could be a sports car, I might give it a pass. Also, because we like a challenge, we are also going to limit these entries to songs that people of the internet class as 'metal', so you can blame them that neither John Bonham nor the "Pornhub drums" feature here.
Again, we should clarify that we are not saying that these are the best drum intros but certainly the most recognisable. We good? Good. Let's go...
Down with the Sickness - Disturbed
While this song is probably more recognisable for David Draiman's ohwaa-aa-aa-aa-ing, the percussive intro certainly sets the tone for this karaoke staple. Once you hear the rumbling toms, you know it's time to quickly gulp down any residual Fosters so that there is no chance of projecting it over the mic. Taken from the band's debut album, The Sickness, the song features Mike Wengren laying down the beats which foreshadow the guitar riffs that succeed it. Well regarded for his innovative kick drum patterns, Wengren has been with the band since its inception in 1994. Subsequently, he has shown he was down with the sickness of love by, according to Wikipedia, "proposing marriage" to his girlfriend onstage in 2005. Aww-wa-aa-aa-aa.
Far from being a covid anthem, the lyrics are themed around how society treats those that are different - it even includes a controversial section where a child is being abused by their mother that was removed from the radio edit and music video. While the band have gone on to have a very successful career, they had toiled for many years previously in bars and clubs, it wasn't until this, the second single from the album that the band were propelled into the public eye. They even hit the number 2 position on the 'Hot Ringtone' list of 2006, and we have Mr Wengren to thank for cursing our Sony Ericssons with that.
Painkiller - Judas Priest
Scott Travis had dreamed about playing for Judas Priest since his teenage years, even fantasising about seducing the band members with a picture of his drum kit in the hope of getting the gig. So, when Dave Holland left the band's drum stool vacant in 1989, he auditioned and inherited the sticks. Travis has since said that every drummer is searching for a signature opening drum riff, and the title track of Priest's twelfth studio album is a masterful way to announce your arrival. Having previously played in Racer X alongside guitar virtuoso Paul Gilbert, Travis's introduction is credited with elevating the technicality of the band's rhythm section. Standing at 6' 4", those long limbs may have something to do with how effortlessly he produces the most octopoid movements in the intro to this particular banger.
Travis was the first non-briton to play for the band but, while the album cycle's tour signalled Rob Halford's decade-long hiatus from the band, he had impressed The Metal God enough that Halford asked him to join his side project Fight. Painkiller saw the band working with legendary metal producer Chris Tsangarides, and marked the band's return towards a more natural sound. The drums were recorded without the augmentation that had, in many a fans' view, marred their previous releases, Turbo and Ram It Down. What you are hearing is Scott Travis being an absolute beast, cementing hisself as a crucial cog in Priest and creating something that still sends the crowds wild as soon as they hear it.
Criminally Insane - Slayer
Taken from one of the most influential thrash albums of all time, Criminally Insane actually begins at a much slower tempo than the 15 minutes of white-knuckle riffing that precedes it. Featuring the absolute DON that is Dave Lombardo behind the kit, he was nicknamed “A.D.Dave” for his ability to keep up with Messers King, Hanneman and Araya going full throttle. This is nowhere near Big Dave's flashiest offering but it is certainly one of his most identifiable. The way his drum stick dances on the ride cymbal in stark contrast to the echoing thump of the alternating kick and snare...oof chef's kiss. It's simple, effective and is repeated later in the track after the widdliest of solos. But, it's those first ten seconds that consistently have people roaring their approval at the chaos that's about to be unleashed.
Regularly featuring in “Best Drummer” lists, Lombardo is known for his accuracy, versatility and innovation. He is also responsible for creating the band’s logo before a rehearsal by wielding a pencil like a knife and slashing at a piece of paper. But, for the start of this track at least, they toned down his caffeine intake, confiscated the pencil and let him create this brooding introduction to a song about a remorseless murderer.
Unfortunately, Slayer are no more*, and you will now find Mr Lombardo tickling the toms with Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil in Empire State Bastard, along with other less unexpected collaborations.
* Edit - Slayer have risen once more, but sadly Mr Lombardo is A.D.Dave-ing elsewhere.
Rust in Peace...Polaris - Megadeth
In a band that that has endured enough line-up changes to warrant its own Netflix series, it can be difficult to put your personal stamp on proceedings and make a lasting impact. Megadeth were already a dectet of drummers down by the time Nick Menza changed his role from the band’s drum tech to Sheriff Skinslammer. Taking over from the previous incumbent, Chuck Behler, in 1989, Menza joined alongside guitarist Marty Friedman for Megadeth’s fourth album Rust in Peace, resulting in what many fans consider the “classic” Megadeth line-up. Rust in Peace became a huge success, featuring instant classics like Holy Wars, Tornado of Souls, Hanger 18 and, my personal fave, Take No Prisoners. It is regarded as one of the best thrash albums ever.
Despite the trigger-happy shadow of Dave Mustaine looming over him, Menza clung on to his position for almost a decade. However, in 1998 he was suffering knee problems and was diagnosed with a benign tumour which resulted in him needing surgery. Unfortunately, Mustaine The Merciless doesn’t wait around for such trifling issues and the band ploughed on without him. Sadly, Nick passed away in 2016 after collapsing on stage, but his work with the band will be fondly remembered, and this galloping riff is a rousing reminder of the guy's talent.
The Wolf is Loose - Mastodon
Following the release of the band’s critically acclaimed second album, Leviathan, Atlanta's Mastodon were under pressure to hit similar heights. The band's response? No problem. The Wolf is Loose is a ferocious way to launch their follow-up, Blood Mountain. The bouncing toms and wrapid wrist work makes the opening song explode out of the blocks much like a wolf...on the loose. The wrists in question belong to Brann Dailor, whose influences are a melting pot. From Phil Collins to Mikkey Dee, there are a cornucopia of formative experiences that inspired him to become one of the most regarded highly- regarded drummers in the business.
Aside from his excellent drumming chops, Dailor is famed for wearing a vibrant balloon suit to the 2015 Grammys, appearing as a wilding in Game of Thrones and having a penis drawn on his face by fellow list member Dave Lombardo - someone really needs to keep Dave away from the stationery.
Fun fact - the lyrics for the song reference chapter titles and themes within Joseph Campbell's 1949 novel The Hero With a Thousand Faces . This is the same book which influenced a certain George Lucas when making revisions to a certain Star Wars.
Hot For Teacher - Van Halen
1984 was a year of firsts. Steve Jobs launched the first Apple Macintosh personal computer. Dr John Buster and his team announce the first successful embryo transfer resulting in a live birth. And, for 30 seconds, Alex Van Halen was permitted to outshine his brother. Debate has raged over the opening five seconds of the song and whether the sound is Eddie's Lamborghini exhaust, Alex's use of Simmons pad or just Michael Anthony's angered epiglottis after eating too many flans. Certainly, it's a trick the band play earlier in the album, with the aforementioned Lambo revving during Panama. But, we'll give Alex a pass - he had to endure performing the song Dreams for nearly thirty years, and there are no amount of flans that can erase that flaccid turd.
1984, or MCMLXXXIV for the purists, was Van Halen’s sixth studio album and saw the band team up once again with producer Ted Templeman. Despite his reservations, Templeman credits the incorporation of synthesizer as helping the album to reach a larger audience.
Regardless of its contentious beginning, it cannot be denied that the herta-fuelled, tom and double-kick trade-off is a drumming masterclass - and all while clacking along at an eye- watering 250+ BPM! While Billy Cobham is often credited with creation of the double bass shuffle, AVH brought the technique to the masses and in turn inspired a new generation of people to pick up a set of drum sticks and annoy their neighbours.
We're not Gonna Take it - Twisted Sister
Why, I hear you cry, did Twisted Sister make the list? BECAUSE IT INCLUDES A FRIDGING COW BELL! That's right, the vibrant and wildly be-hairioed rock outfit Twisted Sister are here with their 'teen anthem' which is deliberately vague enough lyrically to be applied to any situation of rebellion. The song is the band's most successful and has been appropriated by various people; Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Donald Trump...yeah, apparently those Republicans really aren't gonna take it. Happy to give it though aren't we Donald. Allegedly...
Featuring A.J. Pero as chief purveyor of cowbell abuse, the song is a big, bombastic slice of 80s glam metal. The song's bombast stretched beyond its audio recording. In the music video we see Pero smacking a snare drum and causing an explosion of glitter in slow-mo (mmm sexy) before later pummelling cymbals with his fists (mmm flexy). However, the song earned the band a run-in with the PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center) for promoting violence - I'm sure the cymbals were ok - and featured the song in their "Filthy Fifteen" list. In 1985, a senate hearing was held and featured Al 'soon-to-care- about-the-planet' Gore in his Al 'presently-worrying-about-our-children-listening-to-naughty-words' Gore phase. While Twisted Sister's singer Dee Snider is arguably more famous for making Ronald McDonald look conservative with his make-up choices, his eloquent appearance in front of the senate saw him emerge as a poster boy for those opposed to the actions of the PMRC.
Snider has since said that the song was influenced by the Christian banger "O Come All Ye Faithful", but that didn't feature A.J. spanking the 'bell of beef' did it though? I-con-ic.
5 Minutes Alone - Pantera
The title of this song was apparently taken from a quote by a furious father who, when hearing that his son had been beaten up for flicking the Vs at the band during their set, asked the band’s manager for just “5 minutes alone” with singer Phil Anselmo. He didn’t get them. We instead got this hulking tune featured on the band’s fastest selling album,
Far Beyond Driven. Credited with the creation of 'groove metal', the band were propelled by the sonically sizzling siblings 'Dimebag' Darrell and Vinnie Paul Abbott.
It isn’t often that a drummer can be recognised by his drum tone, but Vinnie Paul had cultivated his over the course of a decade - working with ever-present producer Terry Date to create the high end snap to cut through the fuzz of Dimebag’s deliciously demonic riffs. Known for his sizeable drum set up, the thumpier of the Abbott brothers could have made the list for The Great Southern Trendkill’s ‘13 Steps to Nowhere’ but, for its ability to be recognised in just nine thwumps, we’re going to nominate 5 Minutes Alone.
Run to the Hills - Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are a British institution - like a steak slice from Greggs, seemingly permanent potholes or politicians with the humanity of a kumquat - so it seems fair that one of the biggest metal bands to ever exist should feature in our list. Released in 1982, the oldest song in our ten is taken from 'The Number of the Beast' and was the band's first single to enter the UK Top Ten. The album was also the first to feature vocalist Bruce Dickenson while providing Clive Burr with his swansong as part of Maiden's rhythm section. While Burr’s replacement, Nicko McBrain, could have had his own entry in this list for Where Eagles Dare, Run to the Hills is legendary, and it's the run on the cymbal before the thudding tom that lets you know that some dual guitar yelps are about to kick off.
When, in 2002, it was announced that Burr was suffering from multiple sclerosis, the band played a set of gigs to raise money for the newly established Clive Burr MS Trust Fund. They ended up donating over £250,000.
A contractual dispute with Dickenson's previous band, Samson, meant that he couldn't receive writing credits for his work on the album. However his encounter with a musicologist and an obsession with the "rising sixth", resulted in the band writing the chorus that has been filling stadiums for decades since. Started with drums though, didn't it.
Territory - Sepultura
Brazilian metal titans, Sepultura, were formed by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera when they were 14 and 13 respectively. The latter was handed drumsticks when he was seven and hasn’t looked back. From breaking out of their native country to become one of the biggest metal bands of the 90s, their album Chaos A.D. was hugely responsible in helping them reach a wider audience. The album marked a step away from the thrashier roots (bloody roots) of their earlier output and head towards a more groove metal stomp. It was around this time that Igor began to implement tribal drumming patterns into his arsenal, and the opening to Territory exemplifies this perfectly.
Raised in a realm of percussive samba sounds, Igor stumbled upon the drum riff while messing around trying to replicate a drum roll by Tim Alexander of Primus. The idea was picked up on by his brother, expanded, and became the pounding powerhouse we know today.
Igor is renowned for hitting the drums hard and was just 23 at the time of recording Chaos A.D., the band’s fifth full length release. That’s right, while most of us were working out how we were going to use our soil studies degree to pay back a sizeable chunk of student debt, he was redefining what metal drums sounded like and influencing bands to draw from their cultural heritage. Lyrically, the band were pushing more social and political themes, and this song aims barbs at leaders that use xenophobia to justify cruelty towards minorities. The album celebrates its 30th anniversary this year but its subject matter is still startlingly fresh.