Metal Drummer reacts to Matt Garstka (Animals as Leaders)

[@66Samus]

So...what do you think of Matt? :) and huge thanks to RAID for sponsoring the video!! Install it for Free ✅ IOS/ANDROID/PC: clcr.me/May_66Samus_R and get a special starter pack 💥 Available only for the next 30 days

[@jamesarmenti8876]

Been listening to these guys since their first album when it was basically just Tosin and drum machine. (i believe the first AAL album is a solo project). Blew my mind that they found Matt, who's able to play this ridiculousness perfectly.

[@jameskirkbydrums]

met the guy. very humble, quiet and down to earth :)

[@Adzo411]

Homie Garska is a Berklee boy 🤙 those dudes do not mess around 😂 so sick!

[@tobee_gamer5816]

@@jamesarmenti8876 for weightless they brought in Javier and Navaene

[@myprivateyoutube1440]

He's a beast.

[@pmz1981]

Every other band inspires you to pick up an instrument. Animals as Leaders inspires you to put it down.

[@SHAFFA71]

I am a guitarist until I watched tosin&Javier Started to learn drums Till I saw animals as leaders Might try prostitution,,but watching these guys,,don't think I could face another pounding

[@benchipi2317]

Hahaha so true

[@MegaLaban12345]

Never heard anyone say anything like this before

[@cianciaway883]

that's because apart from technicality there is nothing about this music.. you put down your instrument I'll keep playing music ahahahahahahah

[@gorehammer42o]

@@SHAFFA71 fucking nice bro🤌🏽

[@YouLikeBosch]

Tosin once said Matt comes into writing sessions with pages full of numbers that look like hieroglyphics or some kind of alien mathematics, and that's all I need to know about why his drum tracks sound the way they do. This guy uses his brain on another level. Favorite drummer. Highly recommend the Weightless live video from one of Matt's early tours with the band. He's fresh faced and has some of the most energetic fills you'll find him playing before he really settled into his more mature, smooth style he has now.

[@grimbo73]

66Samus: what time signature is that? Matt Garstka:All of them

[@johnathan.jerusik]

Matt's dad owned the guitar store that was local to me. I grew up getting lessons there. Some amazing musicians use to teach there. Matt use to be there all the time and was always the nicest guy! I remember when he decided to move to California. Next thing I heard is he is in Animals as leaders and I was like that makes lot of sense! He made a solo CD where every track was a different style of music.

[@66Samus]

That is awesome!!

[@paulpalavecino3360]

What's the CDs name?

[@johnathan.jerusik]

@@paulpalavecino3360 it was "heavy Volume" Matthew Wolfgang Garska. He made it when he was like 16 or 17. I'm not sure if there are other copies, but they sold them at the music store as far as I know. So he's a year older than me he's around 33. So close to 17 ish years ago.

[@paulpalavecino3360]

@@johnathan.jerusik you rule man , that's the best insight info I never expected to know. Thanks for taking the time to reply

[@johnathan.jerusik]

@@paulpalavecino3360 anytime man!!! Glad I can help!!! That way your not searching for days lol

[@bear458ziif-s]

17:40 i've listened to that fill so many times. the crazy part is that he improvises his fills and solo's every show and they always deliver.

[@spudmagnum7394]

Matt is on a different level man. Like he's playing a different instrument. Such an innovator. I truly believe he is the best drummer in the world, especially after this album

[@musicmex]

Yeah he’s definitely up there. But damn I’ve been watching a lot of Larnell Lewis and wow! His Zildjian live performance is on another planet.

[@myprivateyoutube1440]

@@musicmex you should dig into some Gergo Borlai stuff. I truly believe he's the best drummer in my lifetime. (A long, boring one) He might not be Mangini fast. But he's fucking fast. An makes it look like he isn't in a hurry. He can blast. So that would make Samus smile. His pocket is as deep as anyone's. He plays over time as well as the proggy metal types like Gartska or any of fusion jazz greats like Weckl. His feel is better than almost all of them. And he he just kinda....flows Steve Smith used to be THE drummer for me. But, I think Gergo stole my throne-shaped heart.

[@apothecurio]

The way he plays is much more evocative of lots of jazz fusion. Play along to some Alfa Mist or kamahi Washington. Your metal drumming will become completely unstoppable.

[@musicmex]

@@myprivateyoutube1440 Gergo Borlai is a freakin BEAST!!!

[@TheTrueJesusChrist]

Matt Gartska and Danny Carey are on par for me but I give the edge to Danny

[@idontmind5815]

This new generation of jazz/fusion drummers are freaking amazing!!! It was legends like Sean Reinert(R.I.P) & Gene Hoglan who paved the way for these guys and for mixing metaldrumming with jazzbeats and fills. #Legends

[@taunokekkonen5733]

MG will be one of the most important and influential drummers of this era. He's to drumming what Tosin is to guitar playing. Totally a new level.

[@bcab7955]

Absolutely love AAL, been a long time fan. Their range and complexity and continuous evolution of the sound is nothing short of impressive, fun fact : Tosin Abasi was recently named guitarist of the decade by Guitar World, these guys don't mess around.

[@johnbrennan8611]

Yeah totally agree. If your a fan of polyrhythms & odd time sigs you NEED to know this band. How I heard about em always makes me laugh when I think back on it lol, I was at a stop light jammin out to Opeth & a random dude walked up, gave me the horns & started head banging hard. I pulled over to let him listen to the rest of the song (Wreath is not a short tune LMAO) and when it was over he said "that's kickass bro. You should check out Animals as Leaders, I think you'll really dig em." and walked away lol.

[@bcab7955]

@@johnbrennan8611 Great story, funny the events and people who inspire us.

[@tomyabo5606]

Music awards are 100% meaningless. It is entirely subjective and most likely the award giver has an agenda. IMO Jason Richardson was pretty clearly the best guitarist of the 2010s - blazing speed, technical perfection, genre bending, incredible feel. Tosin would be runner-up in my ranking, but again, it's subjective. Sarah Longfield was dubbed by someone at Forbes (why is Forbes talking music, anyway? lol) one of the "top 10 best 7-8 string guitarists in the world". Giving her that distinction is absurd. Even if that Forbes writer was told he must include at least 1 female in his list for them to publish it, I can off the top of my head name over 10 female guitarists significantly better than Sarah. She's not amongst the top 10,000 best 7-8 string guitarists. So yeah, art awards are meaningless.

[@meszorax]

@@tomyabo5606 lol no way Jason is in any capacity better than tosin Speed =/= skill

[@tomyabo5606]

Umm, ok? I just said it's subjective...thus creative awards are moot. But you're wrong.

[@josiahwilson3584]

Not many people catch this but for the fill at 15:30 he plays the high hat and the double pedal at the same time. Dude is inhuman.

[@elmerzcosta]

That's my favorite drum video ever, I always get goosebumps, every single time

[@drummerjosh901]

Dude you should check out Benny Grebs Meinl festival solo, his hi hat/bass drum pedal unison playing is amazing.

[@murphthezerker]

matt is freaking great. i think he was a jazz guy originally when he graduated from berklee so i think that's where he gets a lot of his finesse from. still been a great addition to the band after navene left

[@fubar1217]

He's said in an interview that one of his biggest influences is Dave Weckl which is probably where the jazz influence comes from. He's also said that he was playing all sorts of gigs when he was in Berklee so I doubt he was "just" a jazz guy. But it's his finesse that really impresses me. You see all these other drummers that play fast, ripping fills but it's Matt's touch and dynamics that sets him apart.

[@bulloozer5552]

Current 30ish year olds graduated from Berklee are at their golden age. I specifically researched for those musicians and they are all amazing. I'd like to suggest one more drummer; Yogev Gabay, who is a signature monster as well. They are all versatile, cutting edge on technique and talented AF.

[@bloodblitzowns11]

He did a lot of gospel and African style music as well.

[@jonathanjannasch3230]

Yeah he comes from a jazz fusion backround👍🏻👌🏻

[@thomas_the_cat]

probably my favorite drummer to watch live... he just hits so heavy yet so clean despite all the odd times

[@Mulukkis]

I love when a drummer reacts to another drummer like this. RESPECT! Matt is at the top of the pile, constantly pushing the boundaries.

[@irrsinnrainer]

What I really love about guys like Matt Gartska, Mario Duplantier and yeah, even you Samus, is the fact that they're amazing when it comes to the heavy stuff but they're also so much finesse and groove in their playing. BTW: I would love to see a video where you use "real" drums. 😅

[@jaspergillgannon4991]

Same goes for Matt Halpern. Who, if I am correct, was a huge influence on Matt Gartska.

[@michaelgarbett4088]

Well said! Ive always admired 66samus for his tasteful playing. Even when he's blast beating, he always brings life to the drums

[@ConnorHammond]

Fav drummer ever. His power, rhythm, tone, speed, ghost notes + drum, cymbal and genre choices all equate to peak drumming for me.

[@Crowbar11115]

Matt is soooo chill too. I was lucky enough to meet him a few times at clinics and he was so nice, so patient with students and you could tell he really enjoyed being there.

[@siuleopouesi5794]

A lot of people can cover Matt's drumming but many are unable to capture his groove, creativity and musicality

[@terran236]

That's the problem with the way people learn now days. They think they have to follow the notation 100 percent. The point of music is to interpret it your own way, not be a copy of everyone else.

[@nicholi2789]

I wish I had 1/10th of the energy and enthusiasm you have all the time. It’s truly admirable.

[@johnbelfiglio562]

I’ll definitely be listening to more Animals As Leaders. Damn he’s good!!

[@cameronclark1289]

When the hell did he get so jacked!?! Apparently been awhile since I’ve watched Matt! He is the BEST technical drummer out there.

[@seanfay7679]

Garstka, DiCenso, Harrison, Jarzombek, Grossman, Agren, Porntoy, Coleman, Vinnie C...so many greats out there.

[@kraterkop]

His playing is surreal. And he just keeps getting better and better

[@davidciscwhite8994]

😊WOW. Such A BEAST..but tasteful..and technical with amazing feel..one of the very best out there..🤘🤘

[@RCGerber]

I dig Matt but can only take him in small doses because my brain always goes to trying to find the signatures. Brain melt! Great video!

[@fachawassi]

trying to figure out when his gonna hit the snare makes me phisically ill

[@quickchawles]

he thinks in small subdivisions to make it easy

[@zeusthedrumlord547]

These songs are soooo so much better once you get to know them. Some people would say it’s not a good sign when you HAVE to listen to a song a bunch of times to enjoy it, but it’s because it forces you to learn.

[@Jrocka7x]

I don't even focus on it, tbh. I just let it blend in.

[@terran236]

​​@@Jrocka7x tis the difference between fast and slow learners. The ability to see the big picture without overanalyzing semantics.

[@dustinrogers3257]

The guy is amazing!!! Has anyone else noticed his body now matches his beast mode drumming, !!! Very inspiring to watch and listen

[@alexfrith556]

I firmly believe this guy is the best drummer in the world right now. He's just on a different level with his absolute mastery of time, and his fills and beats are disgustingly innovative, I don't know if he makes me want to play more or just outright give up.

[@apothecurio]

Matt Garska and Larnell Lewis. Probably the two best around right now.

[@bighouse5804]

i agree technically he's insane, but creatively to me it's just starting to all sound the same. maybe this applies more to AAL's music in general rather than matt's beats specifically. all these songs just seem to have the same concepts in them

[@NeezMyDew]

@@bighouse5804 I feel like Matt did simplify his writing for this new album. Somehow it's all less technical than the old albums while somehow sounding way more grid like. Sounds less like hes performing music and more like he's running through exercises. This new stuff is still great to listen to, but I prefer the style of playing he's doing with Gem or the stuff he was doing with Josh De

[@Tomidlo1971]

@@apothecurio No dude. The one and only above the rest - Thomas Lang.

[@apothecurio]

@@Tomidlo1971 he’s definitely on par with them. I still think larnell lewis is over better

[@krombopulousmichael5251]

The melding of these 3 individuals into what we know as Animals as Leaders is def what the music industry needed. I can't thank these gentlemen enough for inspiring such a vast amount of people to continue to pour their heart and soul into their craft. Love Tosin, Javier and Matt.

[@youknow-i1c]

so glad i saw this video. Have never heard of these guys before but they have a new fan now!

[@gapplebees]

He is, without a doubt, one of the best drummers of all time.

[@cjxj2202]

These are the best kind of reactions, man, where someone as talented as you are is completely dumbfounded by what they’re seeing. 🤘

[@Clozof]

Saw Matt and AAL perform live in Atlanta. They sound just like the album! Matt's ability to shred in complex time signatures is incredible! He graduated from Berklee!

[@DavidCulross]

Matt is like the God of Time and flow when it comes to music, he can control everything and makes it look so simple. Such a killer drummer!!!

[@jacksonislegend]

Matt and Chris Turner are two of my favorite drummers right now. They have different styles and backgrounds, but man they can play stuff so cleanly that most drummers can't play at all.

[@normanwilmoth7404]

There it is in all its beauty!!! A Tama Star series! All while I got this old 7 piece Star Classic😉

[@AlexCrockett]

To be tasteful to the song but still be technical on a whole other lvl is the mark of being a world class musician

[@Dariddda]

This fuckin drumming breaks my brain. I've been drumming for like 20 years, and I feel like I'm still at the dunning-kruger's "valley of dispair". I know shit about drumming.

[@justinyoung4435]

Holy shit. Very big Danny carry vibes as far as time and poly rhythms go. Wowwww. I was just mesmerized.

[@AshPlaysHorror]

Yup Exactly what I thought

[@fubar1217]

You should definitely watch more of the live stuff. There are sections in a lot of the songs where they just let Matt go off. You can tell one of those parts is coming when Tosin steps back towards Matt and faces him to watch what the hell he's gonna do next. Lol You can watch the same song from 10 different performances and you'll get 10 different solos cause he's always experimenting.

[@dalekay9ine]

He's so damn calm when he's playing it's insane.

[@rafanj824]

"Kascade" is unbelievable. And that snare sound live, OMFG❤

[@jamieplatt1243]

Yes!!! Matt is such a killer drummer with feeling !!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🔥

[@Patriots-Inc.1776]

Animals as leaders are absolutely amazing!! Matt Garstka is a machine on percussion!!!!

[@deathdrummer1000]

Camera man behind him during Ka$cade 15:38 mark totally looks like what you get if you ordered Phil Anselmo on wish! Or his brother or something idk.

[@zachscherpa944]

I worked at his dad’s music store before Matt was in high school. He was an absolute beast then. We all knew he was going places. Oh and Berkeley didn’t hurt him either .

[@bacongl]

Matt is my favorite drummer. Dude is a beast. I love watching other drummers reactions to his playing.

[@MasterGamer-iy2cg]

amazing video dude loved every second of it

[@mrtoastydrumcharts]

Matt is super technical and his style of drumming is so unique! Great vid Sam, awesome reaction the cotton balls lol

[@EricGonzalo]

Dude your reactions are so on point, enthusiastic, and entertaining! I love the commentary and learning more nuance from Matt's drumming from your reaction too! 🤣

[@66Samus]

thank you so much Eric!

[@drummingninja1065]

Haven't clicked on a video so fast in some time! Yes! I've been waiting for this.

[@ytjaymz-x]

Love your humble approach man, so much respect - love it! 🤘🏻

[@ChimichangaGuy]

Matt is so creative with his timing and grooves. I still would like to see Sam react to Alan Cassidy PLEEEEAAASSSEEE

[@alacpe]

I’m yet to see a drummer as amazing as him, I’ve seen him and them live and it’s just out of world .

[@RokDAWG1]

My brain melted in all sorts of ways trying to keep up with this. 🤘🤘

[@SebastianFreitag]

Wish there was YT and guys like you 25 years earlier to learn with all these great stuff. Thumbs up 🔥

[@michahurter1768]

6:33 I think i speak for all of us when I say that I was about to rewind the video as you did

[@arimus4520]

I have mad respect for Matt. Animals as Leaders is so technical, I love it. Great reaction, Samus!

[@reubenk7331]

Honestly DON'T shut up during the videos! If I really want to hear it after your reaction, I will go check it out afterward 🙂 Were here for your input, and the video 🙂 You are also giving us more stuff to check out that I wouldn't have looked up before!

[@stephencooper3920]

To say he's amazing is an understatement. I saw them only one time at summer slaughter tour. The whole band blew me away. Masters of their craft. 💪💯🤘🤯🔥

[@WishMount]

10:17 233 223. That’s your phrasing, how we keeps it going with the single pedal with all the other limb independent chops in the “verse” is fucked fucked fucked oh yerrr

[@empanadasfritas7142]

Matt is one of a kind

[@AndyDrewGames]

AAL dude… absolutely insane group, loved your reaction

[@Hesdrummingagainagain-oj6ei]

I saw an interview with him that took place about 9 years ago where he said he was going to work on his double bass. It appears that he did that. (understated for effect). Amazing. Just fkn amazing player.

[@cademandrums2586]

Saw Animals As Leaders live in ATL couple months ago! They rule! Great live band and man Matt just dominates on the drums🔥🤘🏼

[@Zachary_Sweis]

One of my favorite drummers of the last 10 years. AAL is amazing. They continue to innovate.

[@Call_Me_Chewie85]

This is pretty cool to randomly see this video in my feed. Matt is from my hometown of Westfield, MA where his dad used to own a music store. I used to see him in there years ago when I used to take guitar lessons. Nice to know he’s followed his dreams!

[@orangahaea630]

Been waiting for this video for a long time! Love you Sammy 🥹

[@951258tike22]

I've been internally debating whether I've been playing wrong my whole drumming career by "burying the beater" instead of resting it just off of the batter head. but god damn it, if Garstka does it, I'm convinced it ain't wrong!

[@iangillies711]

What I've heard is it depends on the style and the type of kick drum. For jazzier stuff or with an open kick, don't bury, but for heavier stuff or with a dryer kick, bury. That's what I've heard, at least. Hope this helps!

[@951258tike22]

@@iangillies711 i agree. It wasn't even on my radar until i bought a small kit with a 14" kick drum w/ sealed reso head. my technique of burying on that drum resulted in the beater literally bouncing like a trampoline, hitting the head 2 or 3 more times through rebound alone.

[@DD-ym3nk]

I think it's a lot of playstyle, but I think If you can do it as little as possible it will help your stamina, as all of that shock goes to the drum and not back into your legs.

[@ArchieBC]

Well, that was a hell of an introduction to a band/drummer!

[@stone-snare]

best prog drummer hands down

[@FrethKindheart]

Music needs more of this. Instrumental metal.

[@ParabyssDean]

I remember Gene Hoglan saying, on the Strapping Young Lad DVD for Alien, that the cotton balls give a little "plimpy" noise, and that Mariah Carey's drummer would be such a drummer to use that trick

[@grandolddrummer]

I was looking for the content to mention Gene Machine Hoglan. I remember that DVD from years back

[@ParabyssDean]

@@grandolddrummer there was a video on youtube that had the whole dvd, but now it's been edited... I still have the micro dvd that came with the album

[@edfun42]

Got to see them near Detroit and they blew every concert ive ever been too out of the water. With each decade the gods overthrow those before them, and i think these guys will be on the throne for lifetimes

[@ericborges8996]

So glad this vid was uploaded! Matt is one of my absolute favorite drummers. The time he plays in hurt my brain so good. Samus if you haven’t already I’d check out Alex Rudinger too he’s a nutty drummer as well!

[@starfall_com8203]

You should react to Chris Turner the drummer for Oceans ate Alaska. He’s insane!

[@GalacticCenterOG]

Pretty sure he already did

[@piolojirah9896]

you should watch his playthrough of ectogenesis, he really killed that drum solo there

[@aaronsparks9012]

Compounds on top of compounds on top of compounds not too mention amongst difficult music to play along too one of my favorite drummers.

[@lt.branwulfram4794]

He's up there with Alex Bent as one of the best metal drummers of the modern day. Fuggin' beast.

[@ATXmw1]

Bent is insane. Transformed Trivium and is such a unique player.

[@charliesdrumshed9328]

Have to agree love the groove on the stacks awesome He’s definitely a unique drummer On a side note think it would be awesome seeing how your from Canada and love metal doing a tribute to Anvil one of the original metal bands that helped shaped the sound of modern metal and a great Canadian export

[@stevenross196]

I’ve seen animals as leaders a few times one of the best shows I’ve ever seen!!!

[@emilh5477]

Yes, pleas, real drumkit video 😩

[@thisnthat4318]

Having watched a few of these Posts I am now thinking what an absolute art drumming is

[@peterdodgson8177]

Matt gartska blasts are so amazing. Just like 2 seconds of the craziest blast beat you’ve ever heard

[@rosswoodland6449]

Matt is just insane. I remember when Animals as Leaders first came out when their drums were programmed on the album (before Matt was in the group) and I would always think "who's gonna be able to play that live" Matt said "Hold my beer".

[@sawyeratkinson]

Tosin is the reason I started listening so long ago (and because Anthony Green was talking about them when he was either with circa or maybe it was sounds of animals fighting). Now I listen for Matt mostly cause it's just so freaking groooovvvyyyy

[@benchipi2317]

Damn, i was waiting for this review! Matt is my favourite drummer (alive, rip Neil Peart) and i lóve it!! You made my day! Thanks 66samus, you are amazing!!

[@Too_Many_Kittens]

Omg that is some of the funkiest rhythms I've heard in ages. He absolutely melted my face off.

[@Self-Referential]

Saw AAL live a few weeks ago, and Matt's drum solos fucking blew me away. He's a god amongst drummers, which is fitting considering the band he's playing in.

[@capner2112]

Matt has evolved so much in his time with AaL and some other projects here and there. He is certainly at a pinnacle in his career and I honestly miss the straight forward jamming from the Joy of Motion era. Progressive music is hard to succeed in, and they do it well.

[@qsviewsrpgs4571]

Kick-ass reaction! Matt's skills are otherworldly to be sure. Thanks for taking the time.

[@WaywardBrigand]

Matt Garstka is the most chill drummer for how crazy his playing is.

[@Dzidecznik]

You should do reaction vol.2 to el estepario siberiano! He has improved greatly over the past year and he has lots of new mind blowing content

[@nickknee3515]

I love both of the Matts, Halpern and Garstka, modern day musical pioneers.

[@_Stin_]

Matt is a God. Taught me the meaning of futility lol If you can't headbang easily, pick one of the polyrhythms and headbang to that lol I've heard that some passages are in something like 23/8 and 15/16 lol

[@leonel8831]

This is pure fuego! 🔥

[@ratbones620]

Matt is a total beast! He was just blowing me away the entire time.

[@swivelken248chan6]

Matt Garstka’s fill is so sick and hard to play too. Overall, he’s a great player. He has his own signature sticks from Vic Firth. I have his pair of signature sticks. The diameter is at 0.585 inches. Between 5A and 5B. His stick is based of on 55A and Buddy Rich which is the tip. I played his sticks and works really well for blast beats too. You can check them out online or any guitar center store near you. They have it in stock. He used to play Tama drums but recently switched to Dw drums and had the same endorsement like Thomas Lang. Dw drums, Remo heads, Vic Firth signature sticks, and Meinl cymbals.

[@drphalanges1520]

Was this comment written by a drumstick?

[@swivelken248chan6]

@@drphalanges1520 I watch Vic Firth spotlight video of Matt showcasing his own signature sticks and the guitar center product spotlight videos about Matt’s signature sticks.

[@drphalanges1520]

@@swivelken248chan6 Sounds like something a Matt Garstka signature drumstick would say....

[@bigbogh]

In the live video you feel like the laptop will fall off, always exciting to watch Matt playing.

[@Vk93hd]

He REALLY took Matt Garstka! I wrote this in the Video-Idea Chat in Discord 😂

[@utbdoug]

Damn, Matt bulked up! Dude is phenomenal!