KARNIVOOL - We Are (Drum Cover + Transcription / Sheet Music)

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Cover #117.. So we recently hit 15,000 subscribers, and I thought to celebrate with a cover I've been wanting to do for a long time. It has definitely required extra practice and time transcribing. So many subtle things going on here!
We Are is an incredibly interesting piece, and it can definitely mess with your mind. I've heard people counting it in 3/4, in 3/4 on upbeats, 6/8, and 12/8. To me, with the 4-on-the-floor, the 4/4 is rather clear. However at times where I've stopped paying attention, the section with the crash playing a 3:4 , I've definitely gotten drawn into the 3/4 feel.
This song is a perfect example of the 3:4 (3-over-4) polyrhythm that I explained in my most recent lesson. If the polyrhythm is throwing you off, I suggest you check out this lesson:
• DRUM LESSON: 3:4 & 4:3...
The drum parts are rather tricky to learn, even though it's actually rather simple to understand what's going on. Both hands are mainly playing hand-to-hand triplets throughout the whole tune, with some exceptions. However the ghost notes, and the small rests makes it tricky. Such a fantastic composition by Judd.
Transcription can be found here:
pdf.maxadrums....
My previous Karnivool cover:
Goliath: • KARNIVOOL - GOLIATH (D...
Hope you guys enjoyed it. Let me know what you think, and how you ended up counting it!
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Karnivool - We Are
is the copyrighted property of its owner(s).

[@maxadrums]

It's been a while since the previous Karnivool cover.. Excited to do another! Have you heard of them before? If so - what's your favorite song!? Thanks again for 15,000!

[@shane4796]

Maximiliam Andersson fade is my favourite, the snare in that song makes it even better!

[@bucknasty5374]

dude, never have i clicked faster on a link than now! :) been in love with Karnivool since themata, favourite song is New Day, has so much emotion to it and kind of a APC/TOOL feel to it. and...Eidolon. drumming was spot on, you need more subs.

[@maxadrums]

Pat - that Ska-tuned snare? Hehe! It's cool. Personally my favorite sound is the Sound Awake sound!

[@maxadrums]

Megatron - Hahah, that's awesome! Thank you very much for the kind words. New Day's definitely a favorite. It's one of two-three songs I ALWAYS send people interested in the band. Fantastic song.

[@jaywebb0113]

personally i dont think they have a bad song... dear god i never get sick of listening to this fucking band. i always lose myself in their music and song writing... it just makes me dumbfounded and confused when others dont get or hear their brilliance. a lot of my close friends are musicians and i cant seem to get them into Karnivool. but if i had to flat out pick one song as my favorite it would have to COTE but a close 2nd would be Deadman

[@Insetik47]

Awesome, this is my favorite Karnivool track. It really embodies the phrase "deceptively simple" - as your description points out, it's 4/4 the whole way through with triplet eighth notes but the accents really make every part stand out - and then, yeah, the bridge where the cymbals go into 'true triplets' - you still count twelve eighth notes but now in groups of 4 - 1,5,9. At first it sounds out of place but it makes perfect sense if you keep the right grid in mind. Everything in this song is on that grid. It's just so rewarding to unpack.

[@maxadrums]

I absolutely agree! It's an incredible track and so cool how all the instruments work around the polyrhythms. Love it!

[@TheLowest]

Trick is to focus on the kick drum and use that as the grounding point for the rhythm. But the snare, toms and cymbals are almost like they're designed to trip you up

[@TheLowest]

Also the guitars hit on the off beat most of the time which sounds in rhythm with the snare, toms and cymbals further making you think it's in an odd time signiture. A very rhythmically interesting song

[@iliasshogenov5929]

I’ve been practicing this song for 2 months now. It’s crazy once you dive deep into it. I’m still trying to unpack that insane fill on 3:06. Similar to the stuff Karnivool drummer does in Goliath. Thanks for this video, man. Exactly what I was looking for.

[@maxadrums]

If you read drum notation, go grab the transcription I made for this song! And hell yeah, Goliath is such a sick song, too! It's what initially got me into the band. Got a cover of that song up, too! As well as All It Takes.

[@timothygallagher9817]

Man I have never come across someone who is so open to teach others through the covers they upload. You are awesome! I can't wait to play "Goliath" and "We are" and it's all thanks to you! Much appreciation^^

[@maxadrums]

What a wonderful comment and compliment, Tim. Thank you very much. I think that doing covers close to note-per-note as well as providing charts definitely helps those who are either looking to learn a song, or interested in concepts showing up throughout the song. Glad it's appreciated! Also, glad to hear you'll be playing them! Have fun - such awesome tunes!

[@timothygallagher9817]

You're welcome and I am super eager to learn those songs now! Keep doing what you're doing cause it is awesome!

[@timothygallagher9817]

Max! Do you by chance have the transcription for goliath because I am struggling heavily with figuring out the fills.

[@ARDrummer]

Nice work as usual! That's a pretty tricky groove :)

[@maxadrums]

Thanks a ton, Adam :) Sure is!

[@danwybrow7226]

this is mind blowingly good! you absolutely freaking killed it, Max! Karnivool is one of the best

[@maxadrums]

Dude, Dan, thank you so much for the kind words! Really appreciate it. And they sure are! They blow me away.

[@SPUDJOSH]

Ahh when you did the 4:3 polyrhythm lesson I wondered if it could explain what's going on in this song (especially the bit with the crash). And then you went and covered it with full transcription! So sick. I remember seeing them live and hearing 4/4 while seeing Judd clearly doing 3 crashes per bar and being so amazed and confused. It all makes sense now! Great stuff dude.

[@maxadrums]

Ohhhh, of course! Right on, man! This is a perfect example of that specific polyrhythm. It almost ends up as an implied metric modulation. Glad you appreciated the cover, as well as the transcription! And how interesting that you were thinking of this song specifically, after my polyrhythm lesson! Thanks for pointing that out :) And you're welcome!

[@RedeyePerc]

I love the your sound. I've never heard of these guys, but it grew on me as it went along. I really need someone to hand hold a camera for me.

[@maxadrums]

They're incredibly awesome. Covered another of their songs a while back. Steve's definitely one of my main influences right now. Thanks for the kind words!

[@ZaxDrumsandGolf]

Congrats on the 15,000!! And this sounds great had me banging away on the work desk!!!

[@maxadrums]

Thank you, my friend! Haha - that's absolutely awesome! Rock on :-)

[@htownbop3697]

This is soo badass man! And as someone learning I really appreciate the notations! I am gonna enjoy f***ing this up over the coming months 😂

[@maxadrums]

How's it going!? And thank you!

[@MycontentisgoldJerryGold]

Those Byzance Dark cymbals are gorgeous.

[@maxadrums]

They are, indeed! Love Meinl's stuff.

[@louiscoutellier120]

One of the best song they made, love it !

[@maxadrums]

Agreed! Thanks, Louis!

[@DrummerDudeRon]

Cool... Enjoyed it... Drum On

[@maxadrums]

Thanks buddy! Great to hear.

[@Drummermedic.]

Very nicely done.

[@maxadrums]

Thank you very much! Such a fun tune.

[@dirtnaps]

Who is the ass sickle who disliked? You nailed it. Nice job!

[@maxadrums]

Haha! Thanks a ton, man!

[@BrettBDrums]

Great job, Maximus! Tricky one!

[@maxadrums]

Thanks, Brett! Indeed! Can throw you off for sure, haha.

[@SteveCoxDrums]

this is such a cool track bro! I had never heard of them but you just made me a fan, definitely going to be checking out more Karnivool!!

[@maxadrums]

You absolutely should! They're an insanely awesome band. I've got a cover up for "Goliath", one of their previous tunes, absolutely killer as well!

[@cripple1313]

This is sick

[@maxadrums]

Haha, thank you! Killer tune.

[@freddyahfah3214]

Thanks to let me discover this group. Amazing groove as usual :)

[@maxadrums]

You're so very welcome! Rocking band. I actually have another cover of one of their songs, hehe! Thank you :)

[@robertorocha4605]

Such a amazing song and cover!! This video should have way more views! Great vid, man

[@maxadrums]

Thanks a ton, Roberto! Appreciated!

[@stevevorass]

Wonderful!!!

[@maxadrums]

Thanks a lot!

[@DailyDrumLesson]

great drumming, as always!

[@maxadrums]

Thank you so very much, man!

[@astronaut2005drummer]

Very cool!

[@maxadrums]

Thank you my friend!

[@benchapman7586]

Cool playing man, I'm new to your channel but am really enjoying your videos. Keep up the great work. The transcriptions you provide is very helpful too.

[@maxadrums]

Thank you so very much, Ben! Glad you're making use of them!

[@thebenwmusic]

Insane cover 🔥 obsessed w Karnivool atm and I'm still trying to get my head round this polyrhythm 😂🤘

[@MrDrumfreak92]

So clean and accurate. Thank you brother.

[@maxadrums]

Thank you very much, Luis! Much apprecaited. Such a fantastic tune.

[@ArlindoCardoso]

Absolutely amazing Max

[@maxadrums]

Thanks a lot, Arlindo. Appreciate it!

[@miguelsaavedrums]

i ve watched this like 20 times now this is perfect

[@maxadrums]

Haha!! That's awesome, Mike. Thanks a lot. Such a cool tune.

[@miguelsaavedrums]

@@maxadrums yeah, i actually just uploaded a cover of this song inspired by you! goliath is next . All thanks to your drum lessons. You rock

[@maxadrums]

That was phenomenal, Mike. GREAT work!

[@0i0l0o]

flawless

[@AshleyGalvan]

Wow wow!!! I love your drumming!

[@maxadrums]

Thank you so much, Ashley! Appreciate it!

[@ZESdrums]

good work!!!

[@maxadrums]

Thanks a lot!

[@andreitimofti]

Spot on cover mate ! Really enjoyed this!

[@maxadrums]

Hey, thank you very much! Fun tune!

[@JarahOnDrums]

Ohhhh.. how I love this....

[@maxadrums]

Such an awesome tune! Would love to cover all of their songs, but man does it take some time to get 'em down, haha.

[@PappStumpf]

You're the best!

[@GGDrummer]

Well done Max!! Congrats

[@maxadrums]

Thank you very much!

[@Jbdrums62]

badass man, might use this transcription, thanks!

[@maxadrums]

Thanks, Jon! Feel free! :)

[@SimonSchroederDrums]

Nice cover! I love that band! :)

[@maxadrums]

You and me both! Thank you :)

[@trevbeats77]

You are bang on!!!! wicked playing.. Trev from London

[@fila365]

Holy Shit cant believe I missed this cover! Great job!!!

[@maxadrums]

Haha! Thank you very much buddy!

[@UKDrummerDan]

great playing man :) so clean

[@maxadrums]

Thank you very much, man :)

[@MichaelYoungDrums]

Perfect!

[@maxadrums]

Thank you so much, Michael!

[@MichaelYoungDrums]

Of course! :)

[@tyger3171]

Admiro tu talento, sos un capo, saludos desde Argentina :)

[@maxadrums]

Thank you so very much for the kind words :)

[@peteshifter]

Thanks A LOT!!!

[@maxadrums]

Haha hey thank you!!

[@RyanPerilloDrums]

Man this is exceptional

[@maxadrums]

Thank you so very much, Ryan!

[@sebastianbc1585]

amazing bro :'D

[@maxadrums]

Hey thank you so much, Sebastian!

[@TARANondrums]

Nailed IT bro !!

[@maxadrums]

Haha, thank you!

[@jerrinthomasofficial]

Loved it man!

[@maxadrums]

Great to hear! Thank you.

[@drumman190]

Sounds amazing :)

[@maxadrums]

Thank you, man :)

[@martonkardos8094]

Great to hear some progressive music here! I'd suggest you covering Pontus Euxinus by Scale The Summit next

[@maxadrums]

Haha, glad you enjoyed it! I'll check it out!

[@BrendonWalkerAU]

Nicely done. Would love to see you add the hats with your left foot. Judd really locks in the core beat with that.

[@maxadrums]

I actually had to teach myself to remove the hi-hat foot. It's much clearer it's a 4/4 with the foot there (even if the bass drum also mainly plays the 4-on-the-floor), and I covered the studio version rather than the live version. Studio's got the left foot out, live he's adding it, probably either for audience or band reference. But the polyrhythms feel a lot more like multiple meters without it there, compared to the strong 4/4 when you add it!

[@BrendonWalkerAU]

Cool. I've probably heard the live version more than the studio version, so maybe my brain automatically adds the hats to the studio version too :P Tight drumming man. A pleasure to watch :)

[@Ravelle17]

Maximiliam Andersson props for covering the studio version. I love how deliberately uncomfortable this drum part is

[@maxadrums]

It's actually a quite comfortable and fun groove to play after a while!

[@Ravelle17]

@@maxadrums oh for sure, I meant moreso to the listener

[@exlwshp94]

nice job bro!!!!! awesome!!

[@maxadrums]

Hey thanks a bunch! Appreciate it.

[@iammamidala]

Great job man!!!!

[@maxadrums]

Thanks a bunch, Karthik!

[@JACsDrumShack]

You should do a groove breakdown video for this tune. What time signature is used here? Awesome vid, Max!

[@maxadrums]

That could definitely be a good idea. Goes neatly along with my most recent lesson dealing with polyrhythms as well! It's all in 4/4, but due to polyrhythms might make you feel it in 3 at times.

[@andersonyesidmedinatejeiro3348]

so good men! saludos desde colombia! ☺✌

[@maxadrums]

Hey thank you very much! :)

[@MarcelGieseColorist]

You're awesome! For sure your drumming skills are on pro level, but it's also a good camera work and your cymbal color fits the background perfectly :D Very nice video. I did a Meshuggah Cover, Architects and Tool Cover, but Karnivool is missing in my cover list yet^^ Maybe you transcripts will help me. + 1 sub!

[@maxadrums]

Thank you very much, Marcel! Appreciate it :) Keep rocking! And yeah, you should do one! And I need to do some of the other named ;)

[@alesh_k]

Awesome cover! Maybe cover something from their 1st album?

[@maxadrums]

I've definitely considered it, and will most likely do it in the future!

[@devinbuchhorn]

Are those new heads I see? I can hear the difference for sure.

[@maxadrums]

Well, relatively new! I'd say about two months by now. Same heads as all videos from this specific location.

[@rqneo5361]

Nice cymbals

[@maxadrums]

Thanks a lot! Meinl make some killer metal :)

[@rqneo5361]

@@maxadrumstrue nice cover btw

[@markricher7362]

Nice Max, you make it look easy but I know it wasn't!

[@maxadrums]

Thank you very much, Mark! One of the covers I've spent the most time with so far.

[@noogai132]

Would it not have been easier to transcribe it in 12/8 to avoid the ridiculous amount of triplets? :P That way you still get that 4/4 triplet feel but also have the capability of grouping notes off into 3 groups of 4 8th notes to help slip into the 3/4 time without changing time signatures and keeping everything clean.

[@maxadrums]

I was debating whether I wanted to do it as 12/8 or not at first, but decided that It makes more sense in 4/4, even though we've got the great amount of triplets. To write out the fill at 3:08 would feel less natural in 12/8, and the implied 3/4 etc also feel nicer to read in 4/4. You're mentioning the change of time signatures.. I believe there to be none in this song. They're only implied, however the time signature as well as pulse stays the same.

[@Zstray17]

Please tell me how you get your toms to sound lower and dead instead of high pitched hollow bongos! I can't figure this out on my kit.

[@maxadrums]

Haha, first of all, thanks! I always have the bottom head slightly higher tuned than the batter head - however in this case both heads are tuned very low. In general, the Evans 360 heads allow for quite low tones due to the design of the heads and how it sits on the drum. But yeah, that's how I tune. The floor tom in this case actually has a moon gel on. And picking coated heads definitely helps a bit with making 'em "deader".

[@maxadrums]

I'll be doing a tuning video in the future once I'm settled in sweden.

[@Zstray17]

Maximiliam Andersson Awesome, thanks so much for responding! Good luck in Sweden. And also, Goldfinger-My Head and Incubus-When it Comes, (If you're looking for requests ;) haha)

[@colagerojarpinalla4843]

Grooving this hard should be illegal. Great cover man. Steve would be proud, I'm sure. Been a huge Karnivool fan since my old highschool days. Sucks Ian left, but whatever haha. Great job! 👏👍

[@maxadrums]

LOL! Jacob! Thanks a lot for the kind words. Much appreciated! Excited to hear they're back playing and working on the album again :)

[@mikepostdrums]

Can't find anything anywhere about "Ian leaving" - where'd you get that?

[@Ravelle17]

Ian didn’t leave, Jacob. He signed off on their message about the pandemic posted five days ago

[@elliottnguyen8776]

Before even listening to the rest of the video, your camera is sick it captures the motion so well that I'm amost thrown off

[@maxadrums]

Haha, that's fantastic to hear, Elliott! I just started trying a new camera, we'll see how it does :) First video using it was posted just a day ago

[@bobgosselin4402]

What model is the ride? Great video

[@maxadrums]

It's the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Dual Crash/Ride, 22"! Thanks a lot!

[@josueacevedo1287]

stratus-larry belton cover pleasee

[@maxadrums]

I'll check it out!

[@yewtuoob]

Great playing, but you're def missing the time being kept with the left foot. You can hear the hi hat groove clear as day in the recording..

[@kunns123]

whoa. that looks difficult

[@maxadrums]

Definitely one of the covers requiring the most practice so far!

[@lenny5829]

Kit ?

[@maxadrums]

it's a Tama Starclassic, Birch! With a Tama S.L.P G-Bubinga snare.

[@lenny5829]

lovely ! thanks !!

[@dovkushnir7808]

three dislikes? that's three too many.

[@maxadrums]

Haha, thank you! :)