Devin Townsend - "Hear Me" - DRUMS

[@TheMightyGrimlock]

I think this is actually the best performance I've ever seen from you Samus. Absolutely stunning with the variety of blasts and skills on display. Just amazing.

[@alirear4976]

Did ya see those gravity blasts, jaw dropping stuff

[@theHumanBryno]

There's some nice use of dynamics too, which are often absent with extreme metal.

[@jurgentrockenbau9321]

Pretty much sums up what I wanted to comment. Wonderful song, amazing performance!😍🤘😎

[@opethvtm]

A-men....

[@orphanuprising]

Goddamn did Dev choose the right man for the job.

[@hellscreamacademy]

This is just insane!...

[@leolego]

Aaah yes!!

[@jordanbenson2980]

That gravity blast before the first chorus was such an incredibly tasteful choice.

[@YourFriendToodles]

“Gravity blast” “tasteful choice” thats a first

[@jordanbenson2980]

Happy Feet yep, and probably the only time I’ll ever say it 😁

[@danieldiliddo6765]

4 years ago and I'm still blowing loads in my pants. This is seriously a fucking drum masterpiece!

[@66Samus]

thank you dude!!!

[@danieldiliddo6765]

​@66Samus Anytime brother! Keep ripping peoples faces off with your talent! 🫡🤘🔥

[@ChristianSachaNovak]

I’m 42 and have been into metal since I was 12. I’ve never seen anything like that before. Utterly awesome.

[@GillRigged]

Same age. Sign up for alerts... Live drum stream every Tuesday night. 🤘

[@doosian76]

Im 43 and have been into metal since about the same , when meshuggah released the album destroy erase improve it was like even sepultura seemed more like softer metal .I was into metallica , anthrax megadeth but when i got sold on meshuggah it was so next level and strapping young lad had some songs that was extreme too but meshuggah set the tone for everything that was heavy , my buddy in the death metal band AEON is very good and nils fjelstrom the old drummer from aeons black album he are like samus very fast but the new guy from finland is next level fast the next album will be something else.

[@carolsf]

I agree, JC

[@The_Magic_Goes_Poof]

That Dirk into gravity blast was fresh as hell.

[@aburlingham0915]

My favorite parts of the song! The first time I heard it I physically leaned back in my chair and felt a bit overwhelmed. So intense! Seeing it played live is the coolest shit.

[@lostknotdown4ever]

R.i.p whoever has to play this on tour

[@TheWitchOvAgnesi]

Well, they now have an instructional video on how to play it. (See above)

[@lukehalstead413]

dude i thunk ehat yew sayd

[@danygilbert8972]

@One cheeky bih That's gonna be Morgan Agren on tour with him finally.

[@paulbyrnesrmt2929]

2021 dev said he’ll have all three drummers on tour

[@asbjrnalbiniussen5911]

@@danygilbert8972 With no clicktrack, no less. Ågren is a great drummer, but, I don't expect him to pull that one of reasonably.

[@HoovyMetal]

Three years later, this song still gives me goosebumps

[@66Samus]

still one of the hardest songs I've ever recorded!! gotta thank Devin for pushing me on this one lol

[@KakisewuDrummer]

​@@66Samus only you can do this sir

[@ShrubPlays]

Agreed

[@aconsciousperspective5628]

​@66Samus Dude, lately, when I've been hyping up how awesome it is to play metal drums is and they don't get it I will refer them to this performance of yours. It's insanely good. You're hands down one of the best modern drummers of our age group. Long time fan man. Never, ever stop.

[@joshsteffen]

Truly incredible, man. I'm excited for you.

[@ltcg1674]

mom.

[@BiRDiEHere]

@@ltcg1674 Bit random..

[@francisosullivan821]

@@ltcg1674 7

[@francisosullivan821]

@@BiRDiEHere .

[@ltcg1674]

@@francisosullivan821 I UNDERSTAND NOW!

[@anthonyvidano5437]

Wow he really knows this song exactly. It’s almost like he was the drummer on the recording.

[@christinetrefalt]

Anthony Vidano he is the drummer of this track actually..

[@MrSamooska]

@@christinetrefalt It seems that joke wasnt even in the same atmosphere as your head ;)

[@dmeemd7787]

😂

[@costanicholas]

Christine Trefalt come on mate 😂

[@TheGuitarifier]

@@christinetrefalt how the fuck can you not see he's joking? Blows my mind how dense some people are.

[@KRIMHDrummer]

This is insane.... like what just happened. 😂🤪 DUDE 🔥🔥🔥

[@IdontFuckingKnow9]

Hey dude! On a different note, you and Keith Merrow are fucking murderers together

[@behindthen0thing525]

Ja

[@MakeWeirdMusic]

Incredible. The dynamics! I listened to this with Devin in his car in January. I said, "How much is too much?" He said, "That." The rest of the day, we listened to ambient music. hahahaha

[@MrSimpsonSimpson]

Think you dropped something there - might want to pick that up. 😂

[@scottpitner4298]

not to be mr right here but dynamics are pretty level in this song but accuracy, speed, power.. these are hiGH level!

[@wolfreyet]

Fucken name drop so casually, the most casual. Haha

[@Nyarlah]

Dude, Devin brought the best out of you, that's some really impressive drumming and composition. Great watch !

[@mattmain6265]

Devin brings out the best in everyone

[@titanx5legion527]

Right on. Hoglan has said DT will push you out of your comfort zones. Samus is killing it.

[@devintownsendonsteroids7404]

@@mattmain6265 - correct! The very BEST

[@andivax]

Listened to this tune today and I thought it is programmed drums. OMG. It's phenomenal ❤. Atomic Clock level!

[@66Samus]

thank you dude!!

[@rockerex]

Samus didn't have time for the laws of physics when he was asked by Devin to blast as hard as he could.

[@jfehr3]

I lo'd at this. Thank you. :)

[@OriginalDarkMark]

Loads of Gene references, without sounding like a rip-off or losing any individuality. Love it.

[@thepurpleplayer9168]

Especially those little ring a ding dings he does between the blast beasts before the chorus

[@NateNavarro]

Incredible, Samus. You must be some sort of human-hummingbird-sequoia hybrid.

[@leonardsullivan]

Lol

[@leonardsullivan]

Redwood blasts? General sherman blasts?

[@mattiviljanen8109]

Samus The Human Hummingbird! What?

[@scottpitner4298]

Uuh huhuhuhh 😝 🪵

[@89saur]

you are now that Strapping Young Lad

[@MaddogJones]

The only thing he needs now is the "Skullet"!

[@haanok]

You drum parts on the album are so fucking kickass, Samus. Congrats! Awesome playthrough aswell.

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

This song is blistering. Samus is the perfect pick. I'm so stoked that two of my favorite musicians got the chance to work together!

[@vagrant0693]

What songs does he play?

[@haanok]

​@@vagrant0693 According to the wikipedia page for the album, the songs he plays on are: Genesis, Hear Me, There Be Monsters, Gulag, Middle Aged Man, Total Collapse. *"There Be Monsters" is a part of the Singularity track.

[@michelarnet8535]

I always thought of Deen Castronovo as a drum machine. But this is even better, you're the ultimate human drum machine.

[@TheSentinel909]

Honestly, the drums totally made the song for me... It's got EVERYTHING - Dynamic triggers, Dirk blast, double ride shenanigans, Gravity Blast... The works! SECKS

[@Ravelle17]

TheSentinel909 "Hear Me" somehow manages to eclipse the entirety of Deconstruction, an incredible work of its own

[@henrik640]

With Al!

[@franlovelsimic8421]

Finally! Yes! Brilliant stuff, loved the Dirk blasts at around 4:05! The album is a complete and utter masterpiece.

[@viceversa7245]

Paid special attention for that entire section. Stunning stuff

[@frostlips22]

Excuse my ignorance, and I'm not trying to take away from Sam's insane performance in any way: is it physically/humanly possible to achieve the snare sound in a "Dirk" blast without triggers? The stick doesn't seem to be moving enough vertical distance to give a consistent or strong sound. Again, I'm just curious, I know that Sam has robotic consistency without triggers anyway.

[@TheNightDrummer]

@@frostlips22 You're probably asking about the gravity blast, a few seconds later, using the rim as a fulcrum? (some old timers call that freehand blast) & you'd be right, it's a quieter buzz. The Dirk blast is when he alternates left & right cymbals, while keeping the other hand blasting. Clearly enough rebound there.

[@AstrumG2V]

The Dirk blast uses a 3-stroke based flam rudiment which goes to pretty stupidly high speeds without losing volume if you play them well! lR L R rL R L is the pattern, which is basically R-RRR- and LL-L-L overlaid on top of each other. The three strokes in a row are on the snare, the singles on your cymbal or tom of choice

[@ccbdavisdavis8769]

That's the part I watch over and over in disbelief, even attempting to slow it to 0.25 speed

[@tylerjacobson8012]

Devin really asks a lot of his drummers haha. Everything is so rhythmically complex. The pop sensibility really comes from his melody. It’s good to see he still has that ability to pull he right emotions to write heavy stuff that doesn’t sound derivative. Great drumming. Killer song. 3rd favorite on the album behind genesis and singularity.

[@Vesaniah4]

This album will be remmembered as a masterpiece for damn sure. The drum work from all these guys is just insane. Seeing it in action is mind blowing.

[@MorganÅgren-Drums-Music]

Yes! Sounds great Sam!!

[@dustcurve]

Now your turn to do one Morgan :) Maybe Sprite or Curious Gods? That would be so great!!

[@13BURYMEINGREENWOOD13]

You had some BIG shoes to fill, and brother, you blew the sides out of em. God damn.

[@joshsteffen]

Wtf, man. .. ... .. ....

[@Selkirk69]

I rarely praise a drummer but this was really exceptional work. The consistency, timing, dynamics, speed, power all incredible, top shelf..good job

[@Grindhead_Jim]

I cannot, I. CAN. NOT. Praise you enough for this performance. It is, in my opinion, the new standard. You are absolutely at the apex and forefront of what extreme metal drumming is in this day and age. I wish you nothing but success and comfort in all you do, Samus. Much love.

[@restojon1]

I've only just stumbled across this video and speaking as a bedroom bassist I couldn't put it any better than Jim, just keep getting out there and I wish you every deserved victory and success. Whoever gets to work with you will be privileged (and very inspired), you'll bring out the best in others.

[@hummelshoj]

I think a lot of aspiring drummers would feel better, if you just came out and owned up to being a cybernetic organism. Living tissue over metal endoskeleton.

[@caitlinmarshwous2707]

Fuck, even just us regular non-drumming plebs!

[@marcusking8507]

Not to mention the fact that he's pretty good on guitar and bass as well.

[@samtalonthorne2268]

I would.I have been learning drums so I can start recording some more realistic sounding things and.... well this throw that under the bus

[@beastwaynes4868]

Caitlin Morffwous trust me, it’s far worse for us self-deprecating drummers.

[@beastwaynes4868]

I’m pretty sure it’s just a drum machine with an organic tissue upgrade dude.

[@depouillementpersonnel]

C’est surréaliste le niveau de jeu. La plus grande chanson que je n’ai jamais entendu en batterie. Bravo ! C’est incroyable.

[@tsvetanlozanov3984]

Yes, blast beats done with measure and taste, not just straight up blasting. Way to go!

[@ISHKINGGHOUL]

I really hope that Marthyn makes a Drum Teacher Reacts video to this.

[@BenMichalowicz]

"You can see he uses a lot of hip flexors and French grip" :P

[@FuriousFry]

Seems like a nice warmup. Bet not many youtube drummers are gonna cover that.

[@dingongdiegodasilvaoliveir5211]

I with the one that can't do play it... blast gravity beat (i think)... it's too much for me and the pedal hits too, my pedals are a basic Mapex P600

[@XadaTen]

I feel like you guys must have never perused the internet before. There are more talented people in the world than you must realize.

[@NyuuPhyllo]

There are definitely a lot of drummers out there that are technically able to play this. We can still, of course, praise the performance of Samus who already is an incredible drummer. And also, what is impressive here (to me) is the writing of the parts, which are very cool. Mike Portnoy for example, is not so skilled technically, but managed to write veeeeery inspired drum parts (as well as full songs)

[@GoatMee]

@@MrVincienzo So Mike is now a youtube drummer? Come on ... And are you sure he has gravity blasts in his arsenal? If anyone, Mangini would take this as a challenge and probably nail it in a matter of hours, if not minutes.

[@MarkyPaligs]

everyone's ahead of themselves that they ignored the "youtube drummers" in OP's comment. smh

[@krismann9101]

That has just blown my mind man your a god 🙌 and devin track never fails man love it well done man

[@66Samus]

thank you very much dude, and thank you for the sub!!!

[@krismann9101]

@@66Samus dude I've been a guitarist for over 16 years and have had to turn my hand to drums a number of times but you have resently inspired me to take to a kit for a while you've made it look so fun 😉 look forward to watching more of your videos many thanks 😊

[@Raven-Glock]

Your work is absolutely beautiful on Empath, thank ye for helping Devin reach his vision!

[@richardmazzara6242]

Yes....ESPECIALLY on "Evermore" which, in my humble opinion, is one of the pinnacles for Devin.

[@meters_and_madness]

This is reminiscent of SYL Alien and Hoglan's insane performance.

[@bjornlakenstrazen2186]

Yes parts sound a lot like Alien. Love iT!

[@Ravelle17]

Samus seems to play lighter than Hoglan but with no less ferocity or accuracy. It's mind-boggling

[@lred1383]

@@Ravelle17 The reason it seems lighter is how insanely polished his technique is. No unnecessary movements at all.

[@Vardoulika]

On the next episode of Drum Teacher Reacts - "Ummmm....poly hip flexor calf muscle fresh grip....ok...no this is just insanity"

[@frostlips22]

Mmmmm, love me some fresh grip in the morning

[@Cuzjudd]

Fresh grip lmao

[@astel_xviii]

but way too much double ride

[@unleash-hell6666]

Jonathan Chunglo FUCKEN FUNNY!!! LOL!!😂😂😂😂😂😂.."FRENCH GRIP"!! TO MUCH RIDE!!😂😂

[@emilienfalcimaigne8065]

Two rides are too heavy lol, need a freshier grip to carry them

[@xenophagia]

Dude, you're a monster. You've been such a huge influence on my drumming ever since Abigail Williams. I was lucky enough to play some shows with you guys in AZ back in those days. I was still in high school then lol. Good times.

[@RetroDoneRight]

The bass and snare only part is really cool. I've not heard anything like it.

[@t3hgir]

George Kollias mentions it as a useful exercise in one of his DVDs :D still a really cool drum part for that section

[@franlovelsimic8421]

The whole Empath is nothing like you've heard, what we all heard, insane

[@leonardsullivan]

Yeah that part was sick

[@FlipperWolf]

Which part of the song are you referring to?

[@corvuscadaver]

@@FlipperWolf 0:41-0:54

[@localmusiclover605]

This is one of the only drum videos I've watched all the way through and then came back to watch it again! This is so good!

[@jacobolson6885]

1:44 That gravity blast is INSANE

[@rapscallion52]

woah.... and I thought you were impressive BEFORE seeing this. Everyone's pointed out the Gene and Dirk building blocks that are in place in the songs here, you're standing on the shoulders of giants, but you have 100% earned your place among them and then some. This is amazing.

[@mr.nervedamagegaming8050]

Seeing as how I’m not a drummer, I couldn’t imagine memorizing all of the intricacies in a song like this lol. Great job man. 🤘

[@Somber.Killer]

Nothing but pure dedication.

[@Mr_Gray_Sky]

Samus: "So what techniques will I need for this song?" Devin: "Yes."

[@m.iqbal_akbar]

absolutely

[@Thorneblade]

Devin :" Play with your socks on, the rest is superficial !" ^^

[@xXNightedgeXx]

There's a reason the song is called hear me for sure, proof is in the vid

[@gmorkins6006]

Devin is such a nut hahaha

[@garrisonturner5670]

I mean, I was like, 'At least I can play the hands part...' and then 1:45 happened... This is an incredible performance!

[@noeight3016]

samus is not a human,he is a cybernetic organism from far future,back in time to show us how they do drumming in far future

[@jordanvance1731]

Still one of the sickest things on the internet.

[@dachikenmaster]

one thing i can tell for sure...This guy is gonna be in the drummer hall of fame one day...

[@TheGraklor]

Holy S***, Samus. You have gained Epic status. Dev makes up some insane drums, and you were flawless.. Hell yeah, brother!!!

[@unholymunk]

This song makes all your covers from other bands/drummers seem like childs play dude. Just the sheer complexity of songwriting involved here overshadows everything else you have done, and that includes the mighty Nick Barkers work.

[@stephendragon6721]

This is easily one ot he greatest drumming performances on youtube. its one of my go tos when im showing nerds at work what modern metal drumming is. sex

[@pearlwsz7]

I can’t fucking believe how awesome this is. I thought there was absolutely no way a human played on this track. Unbelievable drumming sir!!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhh I love it!!

[@66Samus]

thank you so much dude!!

[@behindthen0thing525]

​@66Samus no problem. Very impressive

[@neuroscope9052]

he looks so relaxed, excellent technique I guess, excellent results.

[@Ravelle17]

Christian Reed seriously, that's the most impressive part to me. He looks so relaxed playing such intense music

[@jeopapas]

What an amazing level of control & precision!! The dynamics!! Unconceivable....

[@JordanOwnby]

2:06 I've never thought of using my left foot when doing a beat like that where your foot is landing on the up beat in between the snare. Your left foot is always landing on the up beat anyway when doing double bass. I have always had problems with consistency when using my right foot for this. I tried it with my left foot and it feels much more natural. Thanks for that man. Also, awesome drumming.

[@6.thedollar415]

He's left handed but plays drums right handed

[@erakattack]

jeez, I was sure at least some of those parts were chopped and altered on the recording, like the crescendos and that part where it feels like everything just falls apart. But here it is, played from start to finish.. outstanding

[@waterboy799]

I've never heard a blast beat at the speed of the one at 4:11. It's incredible.

[@dangernoodle4305]

This part blows my mind every time and I have listened to it 600 times now haha

[@yoashuain1]

You have your triggers set up great! The sensitivity is on point for volume rising.

[@66Samus]

thank you dude!!

[@aburlingham0915]

One of my favorite drum performances ever on the best metal song I've heard in a long time. Congrats and well done, Samus!

[@Realigigi]

I remember when he said “I didn’t post for a a couple of weeks because I was recording with devin” I expected a regular devin townsend drum track and here comes this amazing technical beauty before us. I’m impressed.

[@krag5979]

I mean, that is kind of a regular DT track haha. That being said, this never gets old. Fack. errr yearrrrhh

[@oldmetaldude2737]

Samus, this old dude is pretty proud of how he can keep up with many youngster drummers. You are not one of those youngster drummers. That was fucking amazing. Are you kidding me with the 1-handed roll? Did you really do that? Mind blown.

[@thecyrhus]

Dirk Blasts and big Deconstruction vibe on this song! OH YURRR

[@orionthedrummer]

The DYNAMICS in this brutal playthrough are so noteworthy that my mind's melted into steam and somehow reached the next level of inspiration... Nice work, and grats on the gig Samus!

[@GillRigged]

See? Good things come to those that wait. 🤘

[@katosflo7871]

Saw you on the stream some days ago lol

[@thephysicslab]

Good things come to those who PRACTICE! 🤯

[@hugensjr]

It's 5 years since then, but I'm still impressed! What an amazing performance is this! Keep on rockin' bro!

[@timorus8090]

Watching this was worth the wait and more. Great work, Samus.

[@jeffsienkiewicz7119]

This is almost TOO effortless... i know there have to be some triggers involved to make each strike sound the same but watching your hands and feet move I’m almost convinced they aren’t necessary... holy butts... you sir, wow

[@kurukq]

Samus, youre insane. Good luck to guy who has to play this shit live.

[@paulpv7]

Lars Ulrich would nail it

[@6.thedollar415]

@@paulpv7 don't forget Meg White

[@TronciM]

He might just hire the drummers who recorded these songs to tour with him

[@SpanishFeeders]

@@TronciM Was Samus hahaha

[@ShadowMantraSteve]

I bow to you good sir. I also feel very sorry for whoever has to play this for Dev live.... hopefully it's Samus 🤘

[@darrellmcavoy2635]

It's criminal that this dude isn't over a million+ subscribers..

[@titanx5legion527]

You know you’re a sick drummer when you’re laying tracks down for DT. Samus you’re a machine. Amazing.

[@sondre.linonus.berglund]

1:45 damn boy

[@Ravelle17]

SnorreTV yeah, that's the scariest shit here

[@wr_2112]

Check out this - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqiXp4CMaKqhiNk

[@anonemoose6622]

Good old gravity blasts

[@xDetroitMetalx]

Listened to the full album today. Being a long time Devin Townsend fan I have to say that I really enjoyed this album. I've been looking forward to it for some time and I really enjoyed it. Awesome work.

[@AidanMmusic96]

Hot damn, you're really flowing (and flying) on this! Great to see!

[@Simoneister]

4:00 Offbeats in a triplety time signature, then straight blast over it, then flam 3's on a modulation to a straight rhythm, then back to triples with a gravity blast on top. 1.5, then 3, then 4, and then 6 snare hits per pulse. Crazy.

[@IMWT]

Diarrhea blast to dirk blast to gravity blast

[@r0ryb0ryalis]

Never thought I'd see Samus playing alongside Chad Kroeger.

[@Pudrino]

He helped Devin layer in growls

[@TKDWolf]

@Dutch van der Linde I think I hear him in the "I'll keep mourning" sections

[@aaronschilling1815]

Yeah, you can hear his yodel in the lower harmony, and the slightly darker tone of his voice, actually worked great! Only dev could make Chad sound that epic

[@cosplayboundlive]

@@aaronschilling1815 Fact: He did the death metal growls with Dev

[@FlipperWolf]

Can you guys provide a specific timestamp? I'm really curious to hear that!

[@caitlinmarshwous2707]

Devin is such a fucking brilliant dude. He picked the drummer for the song for sure.

[@Mefiozaur]

You have to play it live with Dev! First: this would be great, second: only you and drum machine can do that.

[@JVR10893]

This is one of the absolute greatest drum performances I have ever seen. One of those rare and magical moments where someone’s playing simultaneously inspires me and makes me want to quit. Jesus Christ dude you killed it. Oh Yurr!

[@RobKingRC]

Been waiting for this Brotha!!! PS. Devin Loves You !!

[@SirGingerOfKnight]

As a multi-instrumentalist there are certain things i'm in awe of: James Hetfield's Brutal Downpicking-Only technique Devin Townsend's Operatic screaming 66Samus Gravity Blast

[@rparas34]

Sick video! Did you ever ask Devin how he started writing this song? It's absolutely insane lol.

[@andrewforbus2280]

What a world we live in. Not only can we sit and listen to these radical arrangements but we can actually SEE what it takes to pull it off.

[@leomeyer8418]

Woaw dude, you'r such a monster !

[@UndercoverNormie]

It would be criminal to not watch this at least once a year. Minimum.

[@derekg7853]

I've never wanted Gene Hoglan to cover anything, until your drumming on this song. 🖤 \m/

[@blindminstrel7249]

Holy crap..... listening to the song on the records was absolutely mad.... but seeing you actually do the drums..... where are the other 3 secret drummers....no words. No words... deep respect

[@Saskeric]

Devin - "I've got this idea for a track, but there isn't a drummer alive who can handle it...." Samus - "Hold my shoes and sit down."

[@richardmazzara6242]

It doesn't get any better than this. Whether you like the style of music or not, if you're a drummer and you're not impressed with this performance, well, you're just not being honest with yourself. Just shows what happens when you combine dedication and world class talent. You just gained another fan, sir. I'll be watching this many more times, no doubt.

[@thomasburkhard2784]

Oh Yurrr, now you are prepared for Ziltoid 3 \m/

[@andrewabela1117]

After a long hiatus from listening to metal I redicovered why i used to love it by listening to this amazing experience of a song. A big Bravo to you 66Samus and Devin. Jesus...

[@ethanyeats5872]

The gravity blast at 1:45 😳

[@carmanfinley58]

Mother of God... I'm trying to think of words to describe what I just saw, especially at the 4:00-4:15 mark...absolutely speechless!!

[@symmetryofzero]

You're literally my favourite all time drummer now. You're a cool and funny guy too👍🏻

[@frankburdodrums8984]

So my favorite thing about these videos has got to be the pedal boards flash in the overhead view. Love that!!!!!

[@necropig]

Cant' wait for the Marthyn analysis

[@w1984t]

I know you are a beast, but that just blew me away! Congrats on getting a well deserved opportunity and laying down some thundering drums!

[@gandalph915]

Now do "There be monsters" from Singularity :D