Meinl Cymbals - Matt Garstka - "Thoughts and Prayers" by Animals As Leaders

Animals As Leaders - "Thoughts and Prayers"
See demos for the cymbals in Matt's setup: bit.ly/3DrfCoB
10” Byzance Vintage Splash
14” Byzance Equilibrium Hihats
18” Byzance Jazz Extra Thin Crash
8”/10” Artist Concept Model Temporal Stack 1
18” Byzance Traditional Extra Thin Hammered Crash
22” R&D Ride
Artist Concept Model Fat Stack
20” Byzance Vintage Equilibrium China
10”/10” Artist Concept Model Temporal Stack 2
18” Byzance Traditional Thin Crash
Transcriptions available at:
matt-garstka.m...

[@AnEnemyAnemone1]

Thoughts and prayers for the family and friends of that performance, because he killed it

[@stoopit123]

Underrated Not funny just genius

[@Tylerstrodtman]

This is one of my top ten favorite KZbin comments of all time

[@Tminus89]

Just read this for the 1st time since I didn't check comments yet, this is pure gold

[@Yvo19]

👌👏

[@kylekinney9455]

GOÐ mode

[@Iejoshy]

Not a single song on this album that doesn't completely blow my mind, this album has some of the best drumming I think I've ever seen in all of music.

[@seancompton5393]

The only thing wrong with your comment is that I didn't say it first

[@fdgfdf2342000]

On any aal album*

[@Blk5596]

This album is perfection

[@NemoK]

Yes, even the "filler" song Asahi is such an amazingly atmospheric song. It invokes images of cold grey deserts of sand and empty concrete buildings. Desolation, but peaceful, calm, and beautiful.

[@BurnTheNuance]

@@fdgfdf2342000 Nah, he meant what he meant. Don't be that guy.

[@War_Maker]

Matt practically did a whole set for MEINL seeing as he's wearing the same dye attire throughout this series of videos. Lucky SOBs. Parrhesia is filled with good tracks and seeing Matt performs the drum parts live makes them all the more impressive. Thoughts & Prayers may not be my favorite off the album, but it's still a solid melody.

[@kirjian]

I mean... it's possible he wore the same clothes to preserve the continuity in the videos, recording over many days, but I wouldn't put it past Matt Garstka to nail these recordings in a single day. He does play them live in concerts :)

[@drummusician]

@@kirjian yes sir, filmed in one day:)

[@bigbogh]

@@drummusician as expected 🔥 such an amazing inspiration, a joy to watch, keep it up 🙏

[@BirchKing8]

@@drummusician my brain would need a bath! 🤯

[@DuffyLONER64]

I doubt all of the songs on the album were filmed here, as he also filmed some in his own studio for Sumerian Records. If memory serves me correctly, I think this is now all of the songs on the album. Edit: My memory *does* serve me correctly! Of course Asahi doesn't count because that doesn't have drums, but he's done all of the other songs.

[@Ryguypie17]

Took me a few rewatches to notice the insane foot change at 3:20. He switches from the double bass, to the hi hat pedal back to the double bass. Add that on top of it already being an insane drum part! It's things like this that cement Matt as my favorite drummer

[@andyham6094]

Garstka really changed animals for the better. Don’t get me wrong they were always great and navene is a sick drummer but garstka brought the jazz/fusion element to animals and to metal honestly. Before animals had mostly fast shreddy parts with not too many dynamics and programmed drums but now they are just in a league of their own. They still maintain their heavy metal and shreddy foundation but add these awesome dynamic melodic parts in there as well.

[@layzeesnoozin]

This song is such a sleeper but I think it’s one of the most musical they’ve had. Absolutely insane drum part.

[@marcio1745]

No doubt he’s one of the greatest of all time. I mean…. What he does in EVERY SINGLE song of this album is completely mind boggling

[@ConnorHammond]

This album was made for Matt, and I'm here for it. I can't get enough of these Meinl videos as they are mixed oh so perfectly. Thanks to everyone involved 👏

[@LenientProcess]

Matt's playing is stupendous as always, but that china - that may be the best china I've ever heard in 40 years of drumming.

[@Snareric]

That change from 5 to 7 at 1:30 is so smooth.

[@marioherrerosiles727]

What an absolute machine. Can’t wait to see them live, come to Copenhagen/Malmo Matt!!

[@Imaddrums]

This is definitely my fav song off the album, love Matt’s playing on this as well the homie is killing it!

[@walters147]

If I can possess half the talent this man has on drums then I’d be pretty happy. Tried learning “Micro Agressions” and “CAFO” and both songs are endurance tests of memory and precision.

[@daedalus_20v]

Well, I'll say this much. 5 years ago, when I started drumming, I never ever thought I'd be able to play CAFO. I still can't.

[@walters147]

@@daedalus_20v 🤣 I feel ya, I got one section down really well a few months back but I feel like a need a third arm to play some parts still!

[@gaffroman]

I'm mostly there with physical education, but man, even that tune is brutal. Newer stuff is mad!

[@mellindrums]

Matt didn't play on the first two albums so he didn't record CAFO.

[@breadnaut3087]

@@mellindrums Due to him warping time and space when he plays drums, he actually time traveled back to when Misha was programming the drums and told him what to program.

[@dylpykldrums]

best song on the album IMO. I have been waiting for this video to drop. I love how much this shows control and some insanely technically fills during the fast section and then it all comes back. a true PROG masterpiece in my opinion. I really enjoyed this album, the live was show was 10/10 too.

[@alexchaix1613]

Total perfection! I love how reflection the combination of the colours on the cymbals of his wearing. Im total fan of Matt!

[@Temisonofficial]

Such precision,accuracy and a lot of originality and dexterity in his playing He’s a true musician

[@connorhellberg6397]

Hahaha amazing!!! Definitely in contention for my favorite track off the new record, and from 3:13 - 3:25 Matt literally looks like a robot playing; SO insane

[@rayanelkamel6242]

The way he hit the cymbals at 4:37 without even looking shows how much he’s feeling it and that gave me chills..

[@jonashellborg8320]

Very cool song by AAL. Matt of course sounds fantastic, and shows what 8h practise days on drums can do. The drumming is technically impressive and the dynamic feel is awesome.

[@g.norman1034]

So great to see all the tracks played through…! What an inspiration- and a joy to watch and listen.

[@hell1515]

Love this whole album! But thoughts and prayers is my jam! 🌠🌅

[@BalthazarMaignan]

Always à great day when New Matt content comes 😌

[@underwhelmer47]

Just would you look at him..... he's meditating on Drums!! Truly a Legend💯🔥

[@zacknight7640]

Underrated comment, made me chuckle

[@marlonvieira8300]

I see this and I conclude that my willing to still playing drum is so huge that cannot make me giving up hahahaha he is a living beast legend..no words for matt

[@gordie4059]

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you Matt

[@jamesblack7348]

Matt is totally off the chain.. absolutely incredible.

[@Kin0bii]

4:00 - 4:23 is soooo good! The rest of the song too! 🔥🔥

[@amart23]

I don't think matters one bit if you like this genre, you cannot help but appreciate the level of talent, melodies, musicianship & composition. Stupid good

[@Magani79]

This album blows my mind

[@Okjustwhy]

The power and finesse at the same time…just unreal. Garstka is in a category of his own.

[@bugrapekdogan]

I love all the songs on this album, but this song has something unique that makes you feel exactly like this 0:09

[@TyronTention]

Yea, I think this is my favorite song just because of how beautiful the melody is. So ethereal and serene.

[@Dillondeitz]

Man, I love Matt’s playing

[@onthatdirtroad]

Matt, don't ever let anything happen to those 2 crash cymbals that are right on the front of your kit. I mean, yes you are the ultra drummer :) those cymbals stole the show. It happens to be a Meinl video but that just happens to be a coincidence. I've watched this a million times, such a great track. Can't wait for some more!

[@shoubydrummer8447]

I've waited so much for that

[@mikeromano3001]

Glad to see he is back in his office.

[@pjodrums]

Insane performance. Hands down the GOAT

[@lperseusl]

Matt you're my inspiration to make myself look like im taking a big crap whenever i play the drums

[@KirkWilson86]

Let us all be grateful that we are alive during the Era of Animals As Leaders, Tosin, Javier, and of course, Matt. We just don't know how lucky we are.

[@luisinho1059]

This is the best sound I’ve heard and I’m 25 seconds in! 😍🙌🏽 Get the sound engineer a beer!🙌🏽

[@Chadlynx]

Watching this after seeing them live last night, Matt is an absolute monster

[@Drumsholic]

Great stuff again man!!After the first 1/3 of the song that seems softer than never the rest content is amazing as you used to be!!Great song with amazing drumming section!!

[@danmiller5881]

I still miss the tone of his Tama's, but inspiring playing as always!

[@rks29]

So great when he does not "over play" the song!

[@thatdrummeroz654]

Freaking Beautiful!!

[@sylvestercalzone1003]

Wooooo, Matt gartska and fresh cup of coffee, what more can you ask for?

[@NickyByloo]

Mesmerising!

[@ericdravenX00X]

Mind Blowing!

[@ToxicTerrance]

Incredible. Crushing.

[@krenwregget7667]

Aquaman nails it again. Terrific playing, Matt.

[@theskateboardt619]

BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE❤️

[@user-je8dl5dm9p]

So sound and versatile. What a truly amazing percussion virtuoso. I'd love to play bass for animals mostly because of Matt. But tosin is a god let's not forget. Mr Reyes is no weak link either. Js...

[@anthonyharasimowicz9251]

MG - just keep working hard, you'll get there some day . . . I think my favorite part might be the beginning contemplative moment with closed eyes, before a single note is even played.

[@senorbeige]

I wonder if this is one of the most didficult AAL beats Gartska has written. I've never seen him so focused before, you can literally see him counting in his head during certain parts. Amazing.

[@JuanCastillo-cc1ee]

No sé del lenguaje musical, y en ese sentido menos de los laberintos de la percusión, pero siento, más allá de la rapidez o la ampkitud técnica, un sensación humana, musicalmente hablando, genial. Quizás cuánto en esto sea cerebral, sin embargo, siempre suena un corazón latiendo!

[@funnyfacemanbro]

Best drummer on the planet 🌎

[@Cal.lm96]

I am totally inspired!!

[@PawelGruchalski]

incredible!

[@Booster_Golden_Cobra]

Matt is freaking jacked!

[@drumrundown]

Killing it!!!

[@DonInfierno]

That's so brilliant! But i have a question: what's that white fluffy balls inside the toms?

[@WhyTheHorseface]

How does he have enough time in a day to practice so much AND lift so much?? Absolute animal.

[@Musical_Sweetness]

Matt's the best! 🤯👌🏽🔥

[@tldw8354]

a wonderfull emotional play. this is only possible, if you, as a drummer, really listen to the music. its the best way to support the song/the band without overdrumming like many other drummers do

[@tldw8354]

@rohanpogii 😅 naaa

[@JMRSplatt]

Nice.

[@briantopps5638]

can we talk about that dw kit? black and white ebony veneer over the whole drums.

[@d3tach3d]

Tosin and Javier must have a secret program they inforce onto the Drummers who joined ASL. It seems the longer they are with the Band, the more they turn into Giga Chads with Their Drumming Skills and Physical Dominance, lol. I swear, They've all collectively gained a 4th Human being in terms of Muscle Mass and Size, haha, - Matt Halpern: Original ASL drummer for a tiny stint during Weightless. Not sure if Matt did any touring or if he just did Studio Sessions. But Im pretty sure Misha brought him in after using DFH for drums to Produce Tosin's first ASL record. Man, DFH was used for Drums on "A Lot" of records by Guitarists back then and it has since changed that whole landscape forever. Anyways, he now in a little unknown band called Periphery - Navene Koperweis: A Legendary Drummer from Animosity who was ahead of the curve even back then. Entheos is Just Insane - Matt Gartska, The Jazz Fusion Mad Scientist and the longest member of ASL, who has probably benefited from the [ASL: Super Soldier] Program the most. I think they pushed him to far and he became a Werewolf by accident. I think he was roughly 150lb soaking wet before the accident. Now he's transformed into a to 230lb+ Beast.

[@vhmendonca]

Flawless!

[@toddneilmacintyre]

Monstrous

[@Alekseiserdjuk]

Just A W E S O M E period

[@tw0877]

Einfach nur abgefahren 🤘🤘🤘

[@JoshuaJamesJones]

whens the ride coming out lol

[@davidseres3030]

I don't enjoy the melodic aspect of the song, but I appreciate the creativity and extreme complexity of the arrangement... As for Garstka, excellent drumming...memorizing the arrangement alone is a feat...

[@alexander.froloff]

Гарстка отлично выглядит!

[@zaaohound4055]

Really cool

[@luizz_k]

Such a flowstate

[@legrosmaelic_bnvl]

what's the white round things in his toms?

[@cameronlong3051]

So sick! Are those cotton balls in the toms? Does that in combination with coated bottom heads affect the tonality?

[@jordanwyatt4459]

My man's anatomically built for that kit.

[@naseonhyeong]

Is the first section triplets over 5? Can't wait for this song's breakdown on Matt's channel

[@perpetualgrimace]

It's a quintuplet groove! Although at this speed I would think of it as 5/8.

[@dane5624]

Taste, fluidity, economy, dynamic. It's safe to say he hit ten thousand hours.

[@ericsanger4408]

* BRAVO

[@eddicampero1595]

Evolución 😮

[@learningisgrowing]

Wen Matt G GetGoodDrums midi pack??

[@McTube2010]

This man it’s not hu-man. Incredible.

[@Vk93hd]

Finally!!!

[@PocketDrummer]

This is all fantastic, but someone tell me about the cotton balls in the toms.

[@throne__]

It removes the ringing sound from the toms.

[@sullysullster8217]

Nice. At least the drums sound real in this mix. I e.q'd the heck out of the new album to try to get the drums to sound clear but I imagine its a tall order considering the bandwidth the two guitars take up but the drum mix on the new record isnt good. Its sounds like they recorded them in anechoic chamber on two different music players I used last night. Amazing playing but he got a raw deal on the drum sound.

[@quantum_beeb]

I like how you treated that China there

[@puzzlepuddles6712]

this guy is legit praying on the drumset right here

[@anshuvenkateshwaran5324]

anyone else notice the rocks in the rack toms?? im am perplexed and intrigued wtf is man doing w rocks in the racks?

[@andreluizcastro5163]

Crazy

[@raycavazos8927]

Bro is starting to look really buff. Drums are fucking fantasmagorical as always mate.

[@kledsonmeireles]

Um gênio na bateria

[@MrNighNight]

GODLIKE

[@zoomlensshow]

I've never seen cotton balls put in toms before

[@alexchaix1613]

Jojo omg at this point just say.. nice job

[@tford1215]

Honestly forgot it was and AAL song until 2:36

[@ddnte]

The only common thing I have with Matt is the drum rug.

[@kennethnovath6332]

What is in his mounted toms...? Looks like ping pong balls....lol....or is he using Great Foam for control on his resonant heads??? Looking at this on a small phone, I can't tell what's in there.

[@harelsap1]

3:32