Razor Head: An Intense Music Lesson

Okay, so Razor Head. This one's intense. We're talking pretty much a full roast from start to end.

Introduction

There's one small little bit of respite when we're doing that intricate ghost section. But other than that, it's just heavy-hitting, hardcore, digging in, driving metal.

You're going to be thinking Metallica, and you're going to be thinking Slipknot. So:

• Try and channel both of those bands when you're getting into this one.
• Draw inspiration from them.

Recommended Listening

You're definitely going to want to do your recommended listening on this one, particularly to things like:

• Joey Jordison's drumming on the Iowa album, especially tracks like Disaster Peace.
• His drumming on the next album, Subliminal Verses.

All good stuff to take from, or at least inspire you.

Developmental Sections

When you're trying to come up with these developmental sections and fast fills, you've got to just commit to it.

• Throw yourself into these fills.
• Keep it heavy and hard-hitting.
• Just don't let up. Be relentless, okay?

Key Techniques

You've got to get comfortable with:

• The rim shot.
• Riding on that crash.
• Slurring the hats.

So maybe take a few of these sections piece by piece. Work with your teacher on the grooves, split it all up, and focus on those grooves.

Get comfortable with playing these patterns, but committing harder. Maybe this is some of the heavier playing you've ever done, so crank it up a notch and really get into it.

Approaching the Song as a Whole

One thing I'd like to point out is that many of the sections throughout this whole piece are based around that main riff we see at the start (section A) and just afterwards when the main actual drum beat kicks in.

• Internalize that phrase.
• It crops up in so many different parts of this song but with a different feel of drumming over the top of it.

Types of Drumming

You've got:

• Half-time, heavy off the beat, snare hits here and there.
• More straight-ahead crash versions.

When you notice that link, it makes it easier to digest and understand what's going on. It gives you something else to think about to guide you through these pieces.

Additional Elements

The two other main elements to focus on are:

• Ride feel for what I would describe as a real chorus section.
• Lock into your ride pattern and come off onto the crashes for those strong hits.

Anticipation

Just think ahead. Keep on anticipating what's coming up next.

Listening and Syncing

One thing that I did was use my ears, focusing on the backing track.

Using the track on your syllabus will:

• Allow you to hear what's going on in the music.
• Help you to lock in with the guitars.

That's one of the best parts about playing this heavy, intense metal; every part of the band is synced up, and everything's relating to everything else.

Performance Together

When you're up there on stage, and everyone's playing together, it's one force all coming together. This piece is an example of how you can start developing that sensation and understanding.

Check out sections B and D. This is a perfect example of how closely the riff from the guitars relates to what's going on with:

• Floor tom
• Bass drum
• Snare syncopated patterns.

If you can start memorizing the riff, it will help you to anticipate the upcoming tom and snare hits.

Playing Against the Riff

Notice in the chorus section that you're playing very close to that riff on the ride. The bass and snare drum are locked in with that riff again. Even on the fills just before you go to the Ds, you've got those stabs with the riff underneath.

This is an example of using toms as a different voice to start expressing the language of drumming in different ways, rather than just blasting ahead on your hats or crashes.

Incorporating Toms

Starting to incorporate the toms as part of your language when relating to the riffs will be really effective.

Working with Your Teacher

Work with your teacher on developing all these different parts and then start piecing it together, remembering to hear the riff while doing this.

The 5/4 Riff

The other big thing to consider when looking at this piece, aside from the patterns and fills, is to get into this 5/4 riff.

It may be a bit out of some people's comfort zones, but a way to approach it is to simplify it down before stretching it back out to the as-written version.

One way to simplify it is to replace the tom used at the start with just another snare hit.

Counting

This will help you get used to that coordination, as seen in the walkthrough. Follow this counting pattern:

• 1 and 2,
• 3 and 4, 5,
• 1 and 2,
• 3 and 4, 5.

When you're more confident with it, start replacing those hits as they should be.

Conclusion

So, that's my tip for approaching that 5/4 section. Hope that helps you out.

Okay, guys, we're going to wrap it up.

Play hard, think ahead, and anticipate what's coming up. Do your listening, channel that Joey Jordison, channel that Lars Ulrich, and just dig in and thrash it out.

Have lots of fun, guys!