Machinedrum Mondays Ep.3, Darkside of Mgla! Exercises in Futility

Episode 3 of Machine drum Mondays is featuring Darkside of Mgla. The tasteful drumming and sheer level of bass drum endurance Darkside has is beyond incredible! What a great impression for my #firsttime checking out this band!
Link to original video - • MGŁA@Mgła-Exercises in...
Drumlion’s Links -linktr.ee/drumlionmusic
Drumset information and Amazon product links:
Tama Rockstar double bass kit - amzn.to/3ONYpcX
Meinl Cymbals - amzn.to/3ONYpcX
Sound Percussion and Gilbraltar hardware - amzn.to/3Q8UoAZ
Pearl Demon Drive bass drum pedal (x2) - amzn.to/3zpp4XM
Vic Firth drumsticks - amzn.to/3ONYpcX
Evans Heads - amzn.to/3ONYpcX
Microphones:
CAD mics for toms, snare bottom and bass drums - amzn.to/3zkOeHk
Shure SM57 mic for snare drum batter side - amzn.to/3oIvZXf
CAD condenser mics - amzn.to/3zkOeHk
CAD mic for room audio - amzn.to/3zkOeHk
Behringer B-5 mic for Hi-hats - amzn.to/3oH6cyy
Camera:
GoPro10 -amzn.to/3znBNuj
Software:
Presonus Studio One 5
Video edited in Filmora Wondershare
Hardware:
Presonus Studiolive AR16c
Presonus Monitors
Music Used in this Video: Exercises in Futility - Decapitated
Song/Music - Exercises in Futility
Artist - Mgla
Album - Exercises in Futility
License Type: Creative Common or Standard License (Choose anyone)
Copyright Disclaimer:
Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the copyright act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statutes that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

[@drummersfromhell666]

Darkside ... One of the Best! I love Darkside drumming. And I love working with him. Good reaction video

[@DrumlionMusic]

Huge thank you checking out my video!! This means a ton to me!

[@derekk8523]

Yes he is one of the best. So smooth and great timing. Very pleasing to listen to

[@Delilah70]

You worked with Darkside?

[@drummersfromhell666]

@@Delilah70 the last five years, all the time. All shows

[@Delilah70]

@@drummersfromhell666 seriously? That's only amazing. With the whole band?

[@serpenth616]

Since nobody is mentioning it, those are Czarcie Kopyto Pedals. Made in Poland 🤘🏼😁

[@DrumlionMusic]

I think Ken Bedene uses those same pedals. I might have to buy some for myself!

[@serpenth616]

@@DrumlionMusic I purchased those pedals 3 months ago. Very solid built and definitely worth checking out. Should you play a lot live, prepare yourself for some heavy lifting 😅

[@mieszkopies3399]

Yeah 🤟

[@heiddithorarinn5165]

The reason for his long sticks btw is because he was a xylophonist also explains his cymbal work

[@jimmiesrustled1359]

Mgla is such a good band. All their songs, this one especially, are so well written and composed.

[@ancientatomicimmortality4016]

Kreigsmaschine is amazing too

[@jauhoprinsessa]

Everyones gangsta untill darkside plays the bells.

[@jefwhitehead4301]

Hahahahahahaha

[@derekk8523]

Definitely a vibe. Polish black metal. Very atmospheric great work out music

[@DrumlionMusic]

True! Its easy to just absorb it like a sponge!

[@TectorThe]

Just can agree, finally a drummer who knows what he is talking about and able to appreciate the extremely unique, virtuose and gifted way dark side plays the drums, regardless if you are in black metal or not.

[@Kassapu]

Darkside is very talented drummer.He didn’t even miss one note playing this crazy grooves.Also Mgla as a whole band is awesome.Thanks for the reaction👍🇵🇱

[@DrumlionMusic]

It was no problem! I enjoy his work and im super impressed with his ability! Cheers!

[@DestinyOvLight]

Actually the best reaction/analysis of this video I have seen! Thank you for the details and information!

[@DrumlionMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pentatonicminor]

Yeah, I loved that he didn't just go "OH HE SO FAST" and actually got into some of the mechanics. This was actually a drummer's drummer reacting to a video instead of just "I need more views, so I'm gonna react to Mgla"

[@phunkym8]

i love that they're all in black and masked and then he just has a golden sparkly kit like he's in a big band

[@DrumlionMusic]

Haha, I can tell he loves his presentation!

[@crimsoncola]

He is in a big band

[@dandan4092]

@@crimsoncolaBig Band as in big jazz band

[@magellan333]

I can listen to this all over and over again !

[@davidtorre7370]

I have played this song almost every day for over three years; it's obvious that I am never going to tire of it. Yes, of course the drums are great; but for me the guitar notes sound very special, like something Edgar Allan Poe would have composed if he were a musician.

[@275Ranger275]

I'll always mark out for somebody reacting to this band, and specifically to this drummer. Very talented guys from Poland.

[@DrumlionMusic]

Hell yeah! Im thoroughly impressed with these guys!

[@dekoener485]

Best reaction vid on this amazing song. The lyrics are out of this world.

[@DrumlionMusic]

I appreciate it! I definitely dig the vibe of this band

[@dekoener485]

@@DrumlionMusic Blessed be the stone cutters. It took a quarry to bury their dreams.

[@mrc6032]

Mgla.. Love this band. Time will tell.

[@DrumlionMusic]

Darkside has some very tasteful, as well as really technical prowess behind the kit!

[@derekk8523]

He is easy to listen to in a genre were most are just focusing on speed

[@DrumlionMusic]

@@derekk8523 very true my friend

[@KTheStruggler]

I read somewhere that his style comes from being a classically trained xylophonist of all things

[@DrumlionMusic]

@@KTheStruggler oh wow, thats interesting! That no doubt can explain his musical approach to drumming

[@Cademircan]

Great reaction, insight and commentary. Mgla is mainly composed of the duo M and Darkside responsible for the whole composition and live members for shows. M is also amazing considering he composes everything and lyrics aside from Darkside's magic. They also have a studio only band called Kriegsmaschine where Darkside lead more and carry compared to Mgla. He also has a youtube channel where he scarcely uploads called Dksd. He even had to upload a proof video for a KSM song called Residual Blight where he did some amazing parts and people thought it was studio tricks :D.

[@DrumlionMusic]

Oh wow... This is great information and back story! I appreciate you sharing this!

[@IamMichaellucifer13]

The hand technique in this song is phenomenal

[@truebluesumo]

This is a drumming and lyrical masterpiece, you’re a cool dude. Subscribed

[@DrumlionMusic]

Thanks so much for this!

[@thedonsz9186]

This whole album is a lyrical masterpiece. I love the way the story is told and written

[@mrc6032]

Time will tell.. just love playing music. And you will keep real music in it's proper place.

[@joshuacole1482]

Thank you- best reaction of this video by far!!!! He kicks so much ass!!

[@DrumlionMusic]

Glad you liked it!

[@doctajuice]

Age of excuse I rehearsal... Also exercises II drum cam is crazy good. This guy doesn't miss

[@DrumlionMusic]

Best believe I will be using him as a case study for a while lol

[@enricomadrigal9168]

Surely a unique drumming, and a unique band, they make wonderful harmonies with the guitars and the lyrics are very literate.

[@izazoz9259]

Dude, you are the most metal mfer I've seen here on youtube.. 🤘🤘💯 Hell fvcking yes!!! It's about time someone had some gahddamn balls to REALLY react to some real metal shit!!!! 🤘💯🤘💯🤘💯🤘💯🤘

[@nicholaspoignard6655]

"The bell work is I almost cussed" lmao. Excellent analysis of an elite drummer. Cheers!

[@bosmond195]

Great review bro. God I need to see them live.

[@jannehanhela9607]

I don't know shit about drumming, I just found your video while wanting to watch MGLA live videos. I have to say this was really informative and you gave me many new insights about the whole instrument. Good job man, very interesting, extremely good commenting.

[@DrumlionMusic]

This makes me happy that you were able to get something out of this! I try to add whatever insight I can to my drumming reaction videos, and Ive even had a few guys (Eugene Ryabchenko, Chris Turner, and Lord Marco) comment on my videos and say that I was correct on my analysis of them. Im glad you found my channel!

[@jannehanhela9607]

@@DrumlionMusic Yeah you did a good job bro, you made a dummie like me learn more. If you make more black metal videos I will watch 100%, your MGLA video was fucking majestic

[@DrumlionMusic]

@@jannehanhela9607 I checked out Dominator when he was with Dark Funeral, and that was a RIDE right there! Let me know what you think of that video in particular.

[@MetalZoned]

I don't know anything about drums but appreciate the way you explain it

[@DrumlionMusic]

I appreciate this! I am grateful that you enjoyed what insight I could provide

[@thedonsz9186]

When I first heard this song I was high as balls at 4am at a friend's house. I immediately bought the album the next day. I will see them next Thursday and this is 100% going to be in their set. I'm so excited! Love the insights in the video!

[@DrumlionMusic]

Enjoy the experience my friend!

[@thedonsz9186]

@@DrumlionMusic thank you! I most definitely will

[@thedonsz9186]

Coming back to this video almost a year later and I can say seeing them was one of the best shows I've ever seen. Sadly the gold drum kit wasn't there, but Exercises in Futility V was. It was truly phenomenal. You should really check out his drum cam for Age of Excuse VI if you haven't already!

[@gianlucamai]

BRAVO Cheers from Italy

[@krall5995]

Everytime I hear "Darkside" i automatically think "Phil". Awesome reaction to an amazing song by the way

[@DrumlionMusic]

Thanks so much! And if you're referring to DSP i didn't really watch the guy but i guess he became a meme

[@krall5995]

@@DrumlionMusic Yeah that's what I'm referring to. Haven't ever watched him either, lol

[@followdanger890]

The cymbal master of black metal

[@snakeplissken128]

Great pick on this one💯 subbed👍🏼

[@jadeannamariaocsody9253]

Great reaction video 🔥

[@DrumlionMusic]

Thank you! I was wondering if you would pop up lol

[@NJRIII]

This track never gets old

[@pomat22]

Awesome reaction you REALLY need to check Kriegsmachine - Residual blight. It's Darksides second project but drums in this Video will blow you away. Little bit of a different style of drumming but music writing at its best. Kevin Paradis did a cover of that song as well which is brilliant. I suggest listen to Darksides version first. There are some parts in this song that are mindblowing, and i am not talking speed i am talking creativity and execution. Peace!

[@DrumlionMusic]

This sounds awesome! Im definitely checking out both versions to this!

[@Janopooh]

Love it

[@PolishPerspective]

From Poland we Salute!

[@user-lx5ps7he3l]

As a polish black man this my favorite band ❤❤❤

[@Dems-fk8sh]

It isn't a racist/nazi band? I think it is. Beware where you put your heart into.

[@dandan4092]

@@Dems-fk8shI don’t think so but even if they are, who really cares? The music bangs. There are plenty of artists and bands out there with a disappointing view of the world or who support terrible ideology.

[@TheIronMonkey616]

Darkside and Nils Fjellstròm are my top two drummers, Adam Jarvis in 3rd, all 3 are incredible and just blow my mind.

[@lucianomagno6666]

This song was very well constructed.

[@Trollberg]

ding ding ding ding hells bells

[@13bathory1986]

Great reaction and quite a nice playlist. Sir, vou´v got a new sub.

[@DrumlionMusic]

This means alot! Thanks so much!

[@cloudwalk4566]

Great ! If you have time, check out one of the other drumcam live videos from Mgla / Darkside: it's Mgła -Age of excuse VI (Drum Cam)

[@DrumlionMusic]

Ill be sure to check it out! Thanks!

[@TheFlickenbacke]

I can recommon Tobias Schuler of Der Weg Einer Freiheit. Espacialy Aufbruch. Its a live Video taken in Berlin. Awesome Band, Awesome Song and awsome drumming.

[@DrumlionMusic]

I will add to the list!

[@jefwhitehead4301]

Peep DS’s performance on the new Hauntologist record. Thoughtful and unique phrasing throughout the album.

[@davidtorre7370]

Most people I know think that this song is junk. Nice to to see an intelligent, professional musician give a honest, technical analysis.

[@tomasthebeliever]

Excellent observation - I’m a guitar player 🤘

[@pomat22]

Knock knock it's me again asking for Kriegsmachine- Residual blight with Darkside on drums :)

[@pentatonicminor]

I'll second this. Darkside isn't all speed. He has a REALLY fun off-time loping fill to this, and his cymbal work is on point, as always, but also, as well.

[@pomat22]

fuck it I will pay if that's what you want. tell me how

[@wojtek1582]

Well pronounced Mgła name and I think most interesting reaction comments to that piece I had ever heard. Lot of interesting details enriching my knowledge about drumming (I am not musician :) ).

[@DrumlionMusic]

im very glad for this! thank you so much!

[@ved2859]

You're very descriptive. I like hearing your perspective. It's intellect. You have a musical mind.

[@DrumlionMusic]

i really appreciate this. thank you so much

[@ved2859]

You are very welcome. You also got some chops yourself friend. 🤘

[@DrumlionMusic]

@@ved2859 This means alot to me!

[@ericdravenX00X]

I think Darkside is a significant drummer.. For example. Darkside would be the man to watch some YT videos for some session tips. That cymbal work and patterns..1💀🤘

[@spacegrass]

so did you buy (or stream) the whole album? thing is a masterpiece of the genre Plus Darkside's playing of Risidual Blight is nuts, the dude recorded the fill no one believed he was actually playing

[@chairmanofthebored6860]

MGLA is so good. Almost hypnotic. I'm digging those Grunt Style shirts man. Veteran or just love this country? (It's still the best place in the world)

[@DrumlionMusic]

Thanks bro! Hypnotic sums up the music well. And the answer to your question is BOTH. I was an army infantryman with 1st infantry division, 2-34 AR

[@chairmanofthebored6860]

@@DrumlionMusic nice! I spent a decade with 1-505 PIR in the 82nd Airborne. Glad you were a grunt. Can't make fun of you too hard for being a leg

[@DrumlionMusic]

@@chairmanofthebored6860 huge respect to you for that! A good friend of mine ended up eventually going through school and finally PCS out there after being at Riley for 4 years. And he used to make fun of us filthy legs lmao. Im like bro you were one of us too dammit lol!

[@chairmanofthebored6860]

@@DrumlionMusic bahahaha out of my 100+ jumps, only one was a combat drop. So TBH, I was a filthy leg most of my career. 80 lbs of pain, humping up mountains in Kunar. Light infantry my ass. Much respect to my boys in the Big Red One. Worked with you guys in Sadr City

[@DrumlionMusic]

@@chairmanofthebored6860 and the VA STILL gives us a hard time service connecting certain things. Like seriously, do they not understand how beat to shit our bodies get in that line of work?

[@isaacjamesbaker]

Great video! New subscriber

[@DrumlionMusic]

I really appreciate this alot!

[@romanramirez6436]

FREDERICK THORDENDAL AND MORGAN AGREN--- "SOL NIGER WITHIN"

[@fabianrussin2460]

Just in case you are looking for this song: this is V from the album Exercises in Futility. Mgla just number their songs.

[@DrumlionMusic]

Thanks for the info!

[@albertfernandez4492]

I like the use of most, if not all the symbols.

[@DrumlionMusic]

Same here

[@eaglegangmember3617]

Check out age of excuse VI i love this song! Also darkside and the lead vocalist have another band called kriegsmaschine, there is a drum cover of Residual blight on youtube, the drumming is on another level in this one ! Have a nice day

[@DrumlionMusic]

Ill make sure to check all this out! Thanks!

[@dantesonofsparda6397]

Bro you said "Mgła" so good just like polish person would say it. Good job

[@jasonmacqueen1017]

awesome reaction to darkside.... if you really want to see him shine check out his outer project: Kriegsmachine and the song Residual blight. you'll know when he hits that break at 3:26 mark Lort...

[@javierrenteria3195]

You should check to Kevin Paradise making a cover about Kriegsmaschine - Apocalypticis. Nice video.

[@jamesvillines808]

As others have mentioned, the “Age of Excuse I Rehearsal” video is awesome; lots of beautiful bell madness. Plus, you get to see him unmasked. “Age of Excuse VI” is also excellent; a more simple groove in that one, but some killer fills and atmospherics.

[@DrumlionMusic]

I will be checking it out for sure!

[@pawelgarbarz1966]

Polish power 👊👊👊

[@dimitrisjimmygtheodorou8478]

If you want to truly feel Darkside you should check Kriegsmaschine Residual Blight studio perfomance...

[@ClandestineMerkaba]

Cymbolism 101.

[@DrumlionMusic]

Haha true. True.

[@maxgorbunov1554]

Any chance you will react some Hellhammer drumming video?

[@jesusschizus272]

So definitely check out KRIEGSMASCHINE album APOCALYPTICISTS! This is second band of duo Darkside and M. What Darkside is doing on drums on this album is INSANE!

[@AlexeyPsyX]

He is God!)👍

[@DrumlionMusic]

Im definitely thoroughly impressed with him!

[@AlexeyPsyX]

@@DrumlionMusic Yeah, I'm too!🤝

[@middleearthltd]

Like comment and subscribed

[@DrumlionMusic]

I appreciate this so much

[@Mdrobile]

The more you know. Ibe been calling them mig-la this whole time lol

[@Delilah70]

Not to mention this was their last song and not a beat missed!

[@DrumlionMusic]

Facts!

[@buriedsun6432]

Need a lot ov hand to do such things,

[@MukesBoy]

I bet when you saw his switch hand technique on that snare you about filled your pants. That's how I felt man. And he's a really really skinny dude to be throwing those sticks like that

[@DrumlionMusic]

Lmao pretty much! It got to the point i was just straight up captivated

[@MukesBoy]

@@DrumlionMusic Ive showed that clip to people that don't play any instrument or even listen to metal and they all trip out on it.

[@MukesBoy]

Hey brother, appreciate the recognition. I'll be 47 Dec 7th and let me say, I'm always happy on a personal level to see this diversity in music today. It was very very rare before. Being half black and half Italian, I was expected to follow certain rules but I followed my own. I fit in on both sides of these rules and I made my own way in. So yeah I play bass and drums. I play Larry Graham and Prince but I learned by playing Metallica and DEATH. Cheers to you for not following the same rules I was expected to follow my dude

[@DrumlionMusic]

@@MukesBoy cheers to us marching to the beat of our own drum with stuff like this!

[@MukesBoy]

@@DrumlionMusic The realest comment I'm likely to hear for some time to come

[@MakooWallinen]

I recognize that man being annoyed at roadies. What's that clip from?

[@DrumlionMusic]

Its Dave mustaine from megadeth. I think that show was a few months ago

[@VIVISECTVID86]

One of the best Modern Black Metal Albums written, followed the next year by another band, Bolzer who released "Hero" which was another bloody masterpiece. Both albums ooze atmosphere, but very differently. Interestingly, both are two member bands, though MGLA uses session musicians live and Bolzer just...Bolzer. Need to be seen live. NOTE: There was controversy regarding this singers tattoo's (Old Norse Runic) People leapt to racial conclusions and he was forced to bring his father into the mix who is British/Nigerian* and a musician as well. The dark side of cancel culture. *Corrected information

[@DrumlionMusic]

This was really informative! Thank you so much for this additional lore!

[@VIVISECTVID86]

@@DrumlionMusic To clarify, the singer for Bolzer has the Tattoo's in question. Might have been the beers and electric lettuce last night, his father is not Australian Native but Nigerian/British, my bad sorry for the incorrect information. His mother is Swiss, and he grew up in New Zealand. Bolzer is Swiss.

[@alaskan_bergwanderer]

Those pedals are Czarcie Kopyto, a European company who builds tanks like Trick does. Trick felt the similarities were close enough, and through lawsuits or something got things to where CK actually can't ship their pedals to the US. However, reading testimonies from drummers who have played both, its often cited that the CK pedals have a much different feel and these same drummers felt them to be a *better* pedal than the Trick Pro 1V's. Anyway, this dude is an amazing drummer, and definitely has a signature sound onto himself! Great reaction!

[@DrumlionMusic]

This is fantastic information! Thanks for all of the clarification. Although it does make me kinda upset i cant own a pair of these pedals myself. There has to be a way to get some...

[@pentatonicminor]

I'm just now seeing this... But one thing that wasn't mentioned, at least in the first few comments that I read, is that he was originally a mallet percussionist, and chooses his sticks accordingly. So he's playing that fast, while swinging some hickory baseball bats. They're definitely not 2B's. It does also explain a lot about his no-look accuracy... If you can catch a marimba key, you can catch a ride bell. I really, REALLY dig your analysis versus the folks who "Mgla react" for views. and just go "OH ITS SO FAST!"... You're actually looking at his mechanics, and not just pandering to "fastest drummer" searches. And a point that deserves it's own paragraph: No other react video I've seen has gotten into how he can work his feet as well as he does, which is the type of thing I notice, too. His economy of motion is FREAKING INCREDIBLE. I love guys like John Bonham and Jimmy Bower, the ones who play like Animal from the Muppet Show... But Darkside is absolutely surgical. His shoulders and back didn't move a total 3 feet over 9 minutes of a song when he had to be tired than a MF. This was the last song of a VERY long set. If I'm not mistaken, it was either 75 or 90 minutes... So to have this kind of gas left for the last song, you're not wasting energy, and you're in exceptional shape... Because I can say for a fact he's not on that John Bonham whiskey and drugs diet. Subscribed, and I'm gonna deep dive your channel this week... Thank you, brother! ETA: I'm a bassist. I don't even play drums. lol

[@DrumlionMusic]

the information youve given about his stick choice makes perfect sense. Definitely a common foundation for trained percussionist. also very useful if he ever decided to use smaller sticks they would feel absolutely weightless. like Goku and his weighted clothes training in dragonball z haha. as i read your comment i could clearly tell you were either a musician or an exceptionally observant person because as you mentioned, most people don't really take into consideration what is happening as far as the core of technique execution. its clear that Darkside has complete mastery of his minor muscle groups. ive said the same thing of guys like Ken Bedene, who can play the knock-out drag-out sets, and make it look like they are exerting less energy than the other band members. i strive to do the same thing in my playing. and its definitely tough to train and master that kind of finesse and dexterity, which is something ive stressed in other videos ive done. Also thank you so much for the subscription and for your comments. i really enjoy reading stuff like this. edit: the comment about Animal from the Muppets had me rolling. i just saw a Travis Barker reel on instagram he posted last week and it reminded me of the same thing lol

[@pentatonicminor]

@@DrumlionMusic kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqbNi41_pJtpbNE Jimmy Bower is John Bohnam brought back... I LOVE watching him, and actually had the good fortune to drink a beer with him once. And there's a damn good place for guys like him. I'm not dragging dudes like this at all, I've seen Down live several times and am friends with all those guys. When you're doing double time at 190, you can't hit the hi-hat from up above your shoulders, so you don't see that in black metal.. But when Jimmy Bower knew the camera was on him and it was straight 4/4, he let his arms look good!!

[@DrumlionMusic]

@@pentatonicminor haha this is pretty awesome you have a story like this. and ill definitely be looking at this video

[@pentatonicminor]

@@DrumlionMusic A couple days later, video quality be damned, I hope you got to give this a spin... Jimmy really is one of my favorite drummers. At 3:40 or so, he just starts a build, and by 3:55, he's swinging from the shouders and gives ZERO fucks. It's the last song of a 90 minute set, there's roadies who can pick up his beer and put it to his mouth. Sometimes you need to make music more than you need to observe mechanics.

[@MrBownze]

Please buy some ducking software so we can hear the video you are commenting on. Thank you!

[@zarkokaradzin5380]

I bet it be damn hard to play any type of metal with them masks they have xD

[@DrumlionMusic]

it does up the challenge. ive done my Slaughter to Prevail covers wearing the STP mask and yeah, you have to have muscle memory helping you with a little bit.

[@mariuszkarczewski1939]

Props for proper pronunciation.

[@DrumlionMusic]

Thanks so much! I may not always get it right but I do try to pronounce things properly because I respect the musicians as well as the countries they come from.

[@derekk8523]

Have you covered Mario from gojira? There is a drum cam from toxic garbage island that’s insane if you haven’t ty

[@DrumlionMusic]

Now that you mention it, Mario is due for a video...

[@MrE1981]

Why don't you mention when his bass drum playing is messy at around 5:25? Kind of dishonest to only praise people and ignore the flaws.

[@mrc6032]

Mgla.. Love this band. Time will tell.

[@Th3Ph4nt0m6]

Everebody is gangsta untill Darkside starts playing cymbals

[@mrc6032]

Mgla.. Love this band. Time will tell.