Periphery - Dracul Gras (Drum Playthrough)

The official drum playthrough for "Dracul Gras" by Periphery's Matt Halpern. New album 'Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre' is out now via 3DOT Recordings. Listen now at lnk.to/djentisnotagenre.
Matt plays:
Pearl Drums
Meinl Cymbals
Promark Drumsticks
Evans Drumheads
Recorded and engineered at Magpie Cage Studios by Matt Redenbo
Mixed by Adam “Nolly” Getgood
Directed and Filmed by Alex Wohleber / Press Play Creative
Gaffer on set Leon Mitchell
Key Grip on set Daniel St. John
More from Periphery:
Site: periphery.net
Store: store.periphery.net
Spotify: periphery.net/spotify
Facebook: / peripheryband
Instagram: / periphery
Twitter: / peripheryband
More from 3DOT Recordings:
Site: 3dotrecordings.com
Store: store.3dotrecordings.com
KZbin: / 3dotrecordings
Facebook: / 3dotrecordings
Instagram: / 3dotrecordings
Twitter: / 3dotrecordings

[@thesummit615]

Can we appreciate that this man did a playthrough of the longest song on the album?

[@bendogga123]

Yes we can

[@cosmokramer1213]

Sure. I'll appreciate that

[@Saruul_osman]

Hell yeah appreciated it.

[@HugoStiglitz88]

Probably the toughest song too

[@moatfloater]

Well...he's going to have to play it live!!

[@walpurgisnacht9234]

I love that part from 0:00-10:06.

[@hendriknel01]

Good golly, that's my favourite too!

[@HugoStiglitz88]

Me too! I'm surprised it stuck out to you too. Really impressive right?

[@lookingforgg]

what's wrong with the last second? :'(

[@Mmmmilo]

I dunno man, those zero seconds in the middle kind of sucked

[@vladv5126]

That's where all the fat drac is

[@breckenphillips6517]

Matt doesn’t necessarily punish the drums, he just tactfully reminds his drums who is really in charge and they dutifully submit

[@CjDrums]

Bro 😂

[@Mmmmilo]

Whoever said drums can’t be sexy AF? 😂

[@alexisborden3191]

Drums like 🥺

[@mjk9833]

😂

[@rickydigioia8503]

😂 👏

[@Coastfog]

My experience with this song is such a classic Periphery journey for me. It's "Damn, that's cool but I don't get it yet" at first, then discovering all the beautiful nooks and crannies with repeated runs, and now I'm in the "so fcking cool and beautiful, I'm alternating between tearing up and dancing in the middle of the supermarket" phase, before it will probably end up in the "all time favorite" drawer that is *so* full with Periphery songs that using the word "favorite" is kinda pointless.

[@frost6006]

Yes, absolutely this

[@BeefinOut]

That's what happens to me with every new Periphery album. Their songwriting is just so nuanced and complex and thoughtful that it all washes over me until I give it a dozen listens and finally start understanding everything. Insane props to every member of the band

[@harison22]

Well said 😃

[@Coastfog]

Aaaand it's one of my all time favorites...

[@human6310]

I'm convinced you crawled into my mind to write this comment, next time just ask for permission instead of breaking in.

[@thatdrummeroz654]

5:32 That displaced Bossa Clave. Straight out of that heavy section. Damn, Matt! Too slick!!

[@lowaimnobrain]

Watching him drumming actually somehow makes me emotional. He's brilliant. I've never had that reaction to drums in my life.

[@Codence666]

This is what we call 10 minutes and seven seconds of being “in the pocket”

[@loveroflife1438]

We’re all the Joey riding in mama kangaroos pocket lol😅

[@66Samus]

Dude that was CRUSHING!! 🙌 so sick

[@staatsanwaltschaftemskirch4709]

i fart whenever i see you

[@pickmaster1832]

Love ur content dude

[@HaroldnolikeGerald]

Now you must learn this song for drum streams

[@erickmazur807]

Ohhh Yurrr!

[@moatfloater]

Fart collab when?

[@spalazzo9]

I simply cannot believe there is someone this talented in this world, same goes for his bandmates, there's no way I can fathom the strength in this band's songwriting and performance.

[@kevinbloemen]

Talent yes, but also a lot of dedication, discipline and practice. It all pays off in the end, as you can see :-) And also everything mixed by Nolly sounds (get)GOOD!

[@HugoStiglitz88]

@@kevinbloemen truer words have never been spoken. You really can't get anywhere without practice and you can get almost anywhere with practice. There's even a lot of musicians out there that dont realize this. A lot just assume they don't have the talent to be amazing but that really isn't it most of the time. Most of the time people just don't realize or don't want to put in several hours per day to get to this level but that's what it takes. Everyone can always get better but many choose not to and rest on their laurels. Matt's been playing for over 30 years I think and probably never stopped playing

[@TheLotusMachine]

Agree with the other comments about practice, Matt will have played 8 hours a day for years on end to be this 'talented'

[@Coastfog]

Talent is incredibly overrated, a lesson my content ass had to learn the hard way. After almost 20 years of drumming and stagnating for a good portion of that, I went from mediocre to a really decent and technical level within 4 months. By practicing for hours a day, virtually every day. Weird things happen to your brain and body when you intensely focus one just a few specific things for a long time. Sometimes it actually feels like my left hand takes over dominance for short time periods and specific tasks and stuff like that. I love my current freelance job, but at 37, I'm gonna put everything into motion to become a professional drummer. It's obviously a *ton* of work, but it doesn't actually feel like it, because I love drumming more than anything. And Matt is one of the reasons I could finally unleash that force and will within me. Periphery - Love that shit.

[@nitroflux_o1040]

​@@Coastfoggood luck my friend!

[@titsmcgee6964]

Dude this guy has to be one of the most tasteful modern metal drummers out there…

[@Jo-bc9xw]

100%. he's fucking perfect.

[@tol.M_ngo]

you're absolutly right! His Playing is delicious and freaky f*cking awsome!

[@swarzn8r]

Second only to Jay Postones in my humble opinion.

[@Panda_SMM]

alex rudinger has my vote, matt is good too :^)

[@hiruyow8073]

​@@swarzn8r he is trash and you know it

[@ManleyReviews]

Who knew Mike Ehrmantraut had such insane groove.

[@bababouy274]

Did not expect to see you here, but glad I did

[@skux.1395]

Kid Named Finger has got insane chops

[@t.vitolo_]

Na LMAO 😂

[@behindthen0thing525]

damn i can't unsee it now

[@HugoStiglitz88]

Not everyone who's bald with gray hair is Michael Ehrmantraut. Matt's only 39 lol

[@rnm_drum]

5:32 can we appreciate that this man dead ass played a bossa nova in the middle of a metal song about vampires and cults and shit?…and it WORKS

[@stevevorass]

In the studio… “That was great Matt, but can we get one more take?”.. 😂. I mean, how does he keep this all in his head? Matt is on another level! This video is amazing. Thanks guys.

[@undeRWorld-AirsofT]

I'm no pro drummer, but when you write it, oddly enough it just sticks. I'm busy behind my kit when I was gigging and since you have your own style it's not hard to remember.

[@theineffableword1072]

@@undeRWorld-AirsofT Yeah it simply becomes a feel thing. You remember what it feels like, not so much the "details". It's almost like it becomes "one" fluid movement after a long time

[@wowanotheruniqueidentifier]

yep when you make the parts yourself you remember them out of the amount of engagement you have. you're 1: actively thinking of ideas and creating the music; 2: playing parts until you get them to sound the way you want them to with the rest of the band; 3: having a lot of fun doing so. all of this shit together creates a recipe for memorization like you wouldn't believe

[@shinobistealth77]

This is my favorite song on the album. There's just something about it.. it has big "juggernaut/periphery iv" vibes and I love it. The lyrics are really evocative too. A++

[@connerclaprood6955]

I thought the same thing! The journey of this song reminded me so much of Omega. Top notch song writing on this an honestly the entire album

[@coldmoonlight6361]

Right there with you. It takes you on a journey that comes full circle

[@whatalegend6035]

If you listen to the part after they synth break when the drums come back in, it’s in the same key as Stranger Things. You could play the Stranger Things riff and even the entire solo over that section and it would fit perfectly (Tempo permitting obviously)

[@frost6006]

@@whatalegend6035 Which i recall it was simply a coincidence, they denied doing a Stranger Things motiff here

[@dreaminginnoother]

Every member of this band is such a master of their craft. They truly are THE super group imo.

[@mrendall90]

That snare sounds amazing

[@HugoStiglitz88]

Idk why but I've never liked it. I'm impressed with it regardless though. Nolly is a genius

[@Ion99]

It’s Matt’s signature snare

[@shaunspadafora7943]

Agreed! The toms sound awesome too.

[@alrecks619]

it's a combination of not scooping the living dang out of it and using the room sound to make the snare go boom.

[@worpend]

Matt is the Johnny Sins of modern drummers; fucking those drums like there's no tomorrow

[@HugoStiglitz88]

Lmfao

[@craigosullivan1398]

Class 🤣

[@GothicOctopus]

Matt's playing style has matured so much from Periphery's earlier work. What a glow up of an already great musician.

[@ClemsonC17]

I love how his kit isn’t this huge pretentious set up like a lot of progressive metal drummers. He is the epitome of precision.

[@TheLoamCourierMTB]

Him and Nic Pettersen from Northlane are my two favourite drummers by far, both have very similarly sized kits too actually. Makes me want to get another kit myself but they’re getting so expensive🥲😂

[@ClemsonC17]

@@TheLoamCourierMTB just saw Northlane last night it Atlanta. Yes he is an amazing drummer as well.

[@healeyolsen]

@@TheLoamCourierMTByep Nic is the man

[@vojtechkuchta6070]

I love how Matt is showing his best without overplaying. Every note fits prefectly.

[@loveroflife1438]

Ya how the hell he play like that but don’t sound like drumming wankery

[@rvstii]

I feel really sorry for those who're incapable to appreciate this masterpiece. My heart goes out to them.

[@firstwakerecording1815]

Got major Language II Contortionist vibes off this in some parts. This arraignment is absolutely amazing

[@21Cayque12]

I felt some wild Textures (big F) vibes

[@ericwisel4015]

Dude totally, that sick part from 8:47-9:25 sounds totally like Language: Conspire, not as an insult. It’s incredible in both songs, it was my first thought when I heard it

[@firstwakerecording1815]

@@ericwisel4015 slaps so hard still

[@wohl3r]

​@@ericwisel4015 lmao you're totally right!!!

[@tincho_mnj2429]

09:35 that crash learned its fucking lesson

[@skrounst]

Matt's playing is so effortless, and he has the best stank/groove face in drumming.

[@FortyDeuce]

Not sure where you’re getting ‘effortless’ from my dude; his face at the end tells you that was MAXIMUM effort. This man puts his back into his playing, I have nothing but respect for the level of energy he commits to each performance, not to mention the precision, breathtaking technique and musicality. What a beast!

[@dainarose8272]

Effortless is the wrong term entirely.

[@whophead6837]

I miss the V necks. :( Bring back the V! \,,/

[@skrounst]

@@dainarose8272 I 100% meant effortless... Not effortless like he isn't trying, effortless meaning he makes these difficult songs look easy.

[@skrounst]

@@whophead6837 V-neck and/or an Orioles hat! We got neither.

[@dromerboi]

This is next level drumming, there are so many intricate things going on here, thanks for putting so much work and heart into your music!

[@KonradKavallieratos]

Always a pleasure to watch Matt's drumming

[@TheLoamCourierMTB]

Really never thought I'd hear a rimshot section a song in 2023, really fucking happy I did though because holy shit that's a lost art. So many drummers are absolutely obsessed with learning gravity blasts and it's impressive but a lot of other techniques fall away, when you find the right part for it like in this song it's *very nice*

[@mrrdrums89]

Easily in my top 3 favorite drummers. I learn so much from him whenever I hear/see him play.

[@T0mRhodes]

watched this about 8 times now. I have no plans to stop. the production quality is mind blowing

[@8020drummer]

At the risk of sounding like a sponsor shill, those cymbals sound amazing 😂. Also, can’t stop listening to this whole track.

[@suqmadiq6653]

As crazy as it sounds, this man genuinely reached a new level of drum skill on this album. This is coming from someone who spent 16 years of their life playing the drums btw

[@Hugo-tf6no]

Also blew me away, also a drummer

[@taylorshred]

I just realised the vocal part from Atropos in this song , wow so many throwbacks and Easter eggs in this record.

[@olachristianbardsen3171]

Those subtle accents where he marks gitar and vocal are so lovely. Man! What a Drummer!!!

[@gandalfdengra5580]

Like watching a whole orchestra on a kit. Superb!

[@jasonroseman3040]

I live watching Matt play. His movements are so fluid and looks effortless. It’s obvious just from watching him play how much fun he has and truly enjoys playing.

[@diegoaxexxx123]

8:47 not me waiting the whole track for this part

[@zalezmetal5150]

This song could reach half an hour...and listeners would get fully hypnotized after minute 22.....pure atmosphere!

[@nateharrell8835]

Love that part from 8:47 - 9:58.

[@KingMike-dd3ys]

Same

[@GrazianoPala]

The only man who can break three cymbals with one swing of the stick! 🤘

[@coldmoonlight6361]

Or is it "one swing of his...." Nevermind.

[@CamdenSmith333]

@@coldmoonlight6361 😂

[@CamdenSmith333]

@@coldmoonlight6361 I heard some people call him “tripod.”

[@drums4lyfe0987]

Periphery. Love that 💩

[@drummerdude514]

It’s interesting that you mention breaking cymbals. I had a lesson with Matt maybe 10 years ago and he mentioned the diagonal slicing motion he uses massively cuts down on damaging cymbals. You can still swing hard at your cymbals but your gear will last longer at the same time!

[@skawtch]

Mindblowing every time I watch Matt. A true drumming master. How does he remember all the details for every song?

[@jonathanchandler4486]

Best song on the album, Matt flawless as always, true drum god status, love the “make total destroy” style breakdown at the end 🤟

[@HugoStiglitz88]

Nah. Thanks Nobuo. This is way up there tho. Thanks Nobuo, wax wings and this are definitely top 3, hands down

[@Max_Kleiber]

yes! the last groove is such a banger!

[@ItsTheBongoman]

Matt, along with the entire band, absolutely snapped on this album!

[@KingFrancis15]

Seemed like they had a lot of fun making it which definitely comes out in the music. This and Juggernaut just hit different

[@BrndnNZT48]

​@@KingFrancis15a lot of this album reminds me of juggernaut and P3. They also borrowed quite a bit from them.

[@RynD2]

@@BrndnNZT48 the middle of this song reminds me of a mixture of stranger things and garden in the bones

[@tjgadner8896]

And PII

[@jasonpoland5507]

This song is the best on the album - every listen is a new adventure. And the lyric video is a work of f-ing ART

[@ThiccLadiesDMme]

GYAT DAMN. The progression over the last 13 years has been nuts. Skills like wine…

[@andreashofmeyr9583]

Incredible dynamic playing. Crazy! Fast becoming my favourite track. The Reptile of Periphery V.

[@shaolung62]

What a Master I got to see and meet in Myrtle Beach, SC - Hard Rock Cafe - in 2012.

[@whatsforsupa2]

The timing is absolutely impeccable!

[@immortalcoils93]

Can't wait to see you in LR at the Hall this weekend. Shout out to my girl, Marissa, it's her birthday! 🎉 Love you guys!

[@ericwisel4015]

Cymbals see Matt coming and they’re like oh fuuuuckkkk

[@seven_of_erra]

The fill at 9:14 is so freaking satisfying

[@robdubent]

2:44 and the following measures are SICK 6:00 as well! Fantastic fluidity!

[@rooskadoodle5952]

just so grateful to live in the same time as periphery

[@VisionCrys]

God damn, Matt. Brava! I can’t tell you how stoked I was that this was the song released for your play through. Your god like technical skills aside, your composition of drums for this song was absolutely beautiful and brutal in the best possible way. Just. So. Damn. Good.

[@brentjackson5185]

Hope to see more future drum tracks. I don't even play; guitarist for 19 years. Just appreciation for the care and finesse of the method of expression. Looks so damn fun.

[@kbibeast]

Can we just appreciate how hard this man works? Not only Matt, but Nolly as well facilitating him find the Periphery sound we've all come to love. Can't thank em and the rest of the guys enough for coming together and continue making their art

[@tempesthoughton4441]

I'd really love to have that little bell ride, in a major way.

[@brendenlegault5897]

Matt is an inspiration to care for my physical health because I have to be able to do this someday. Keep pursuing your dreams everyone. Never give up.

[@yourself88xbl]

I was listening to this song last night and the drums had my jaw dislocated. Incredible work Matt.

[@inSprayy]

I cannot tell you how hard it is to play perfectly in time to the recording, yet alone this kind of long and complex song. Amazing

[@bs817]

Absolutely amazing. Matt's ridiculous and has one of the best sounding kits out there.

[@DaLoveDonkey69420]

I love everything about this album

[@fearfulclone5486]

The little mix of standard time signatures with, ok not even gonna try and count, is what makes Matt sooooo good.

[@xsatanscat]

jesus matt. what an absolute joy to watch. you can tell in the fisrt 3 seconds this man absolutely loves his craft. so much feel. wonderful

[@zackfreeman3985]

This song grew on me for sure. It's amazing. Just like the whole album.

[@HugoStiglitz88]

It gets better everytime I hear it. Thanks nobuo is still my favorite but this one is something special

[@KalibroLP]

Chorus in this song is outstanding (imo). Thanks Nobu is awesome as well, and wax wings with zagreus. Thats my best songs, but all the rest is appreciated too

[@zackfreeman3985]

@@HugoStiglitz88 yea I love that song so much. Dying star, wax wings, silhouette are so amazing. It's insane I have 51 songs on my Apple Music from periphery and every single damn one of them is a good or An amazing song. I love them.

[@HugoStiglitz88]

@@zackfreeman3985 51? You're missing 33. Make sure you download p1, Clear, and the icarus album (or just new groove, frak the gods, captain on, and eureka! Off that album). Imo P1 is their best but it's definitely more crazy metal core but still super melodic. Only bad thing is it sounds way worse than everything after p2 production wise

[@HugoStiglitz88]

@@KalibroLP the chorus in Thanks Nobuo is cool too because it's the melody from Clouds theme in Final Fantasy 7

[@heathskrabak5214]

Awesome combo of feel , technicals, just heavy hard ( when appropriate) confident playing , and my most important “skill “ for a drummer , beat selection . Matt your one of the best goin dude , great job !

[@andrewneehall5664]

Wow, absolutely spectacular, a perfect blend of technicality and tastefulness!

[@RespiteofChampions]

I just feel like Matt is so severely underrated when talking about the BEST drummers on the PLANET.

[@tacobender5000]

110%

[@krenwregget7667]

no disrespect to Matt as he is a terrific drummer but he doesn't really enter the conversation. He isn't even the best drummer in the genre *EDIT* (I originally said Tomas Haake but am going to also add Elliot Hoffman who is probably as good as anyone) and when you start comparing him to guys like Vinnie Colaiuta or Virgil Donati... it's not even close.

[@michaellake274]

@@krenwregget7667 true, maybe his technique isn’t fine tuned to the millimeter, but I’d rather listen to periphery, plini, intervals, or AAL before I’d choose to sit through mindless rhythmic gymnastics preformed with little to no personal touch and expression. I’m sure there are “better” drummers, but I think he tops the charts without breaching the brink of no longer enjoying the music

[@stixx6197]

@@michaellake274 Well said. I think whenever the term “best” is used it should only be for a specific thing…like technique, speed, ability to handle odd times, etc. But when it comes to drums overall and how they are part of the music as an artistic expression, I don’t think you can declare an objective best. It comes down to how the listener feels, and what speaks to them. Lots of people, and even drummers, would prefer Ringo over Matt, and good for them if that’s what inspires them.

[@iwillspam5985]

@@krenwregget7667 Duplantier

[@helco2856]

Them ghost notes 🖤

[@BlackenedNL]

That was insane, incredible playing with such amazing feel. Matt really is one of the best. Also this mix sounds beautiful

[@turboallen]

Thank you for everything. Your music has become a pillar in all of our lives. An everyday inspiration, ever improving. A perfect example of what greatness one can achieve with enough work and perserverance, which we will continue to support until the end. Can´t wait for the next chapter.

[@kamrankcomedy]

Matt you’ve been the GOAT for like 13 years

[@platele]

I will bet any man living that there's a V-neck under that hooded sweatshirt.

[@flynnedwards]

Incredible drummer. Mind blowing. 5:25 is such an awesome addition to the solo rhythmically. So simple, but elevates the section so much. That breakdown at 8:10 is just insane

[@yourself88xbl]

Still one of the most incredible playthroughs i've ever seen. Just otherworldly.

[@980Logan]

This is a perfect drum playthrough video, visually and sonically. Love when the vocals are left in, but not too loud ofc. Great work Matt and Nolly, as usual!

[@ThrowingItAway]

8:10 - 8:47 is just wicked

[@bryanramalho9475]

Man, I've been a fan since I was 14. today I'm 26 and I still hope to see them play live. Matt I love you!

[@VisionCrys]

The absolute perfect percussive composure to a song. Incredibly beautiful and technically humbling, Matt. Kudos brother. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@kickdawson]

that might be the best snare ive ever heard. matt tight as always. this is perfection

[@maxblair3317]

8:39 onwards absolutely melted my brain when I first heard it on the album. My favorite part on the album for sure. Seeing Matt playing it just reaffirms the fact that this dude has been my favorite drummer for over a decade now.

[@hunter600rr9]

I love 3:41 could stand alone as an entierly different song. This is next level progressive, it's borderline transformative.

[@coreyg38]

This was mesmerizing. Such fluid playing. Well done man!!!

[@onimaxiis1]

These Drums sounds really great

[@solidground2024]

This songs feels like it needs a music video.

[@_notofthisearth]

And because “Dracul Gras” means Fat Devil in Romanian, it should just be an animated 2D scrawling of a fat Dracula lumbering around a cityscape.

[@DrDeusExMachina]

I vote for Misha dressed up as Dracula, in the same goofy vein as the scarlet video

[@zamkowicz]

Starring Laszlo Cravensworth from What We Do In The Shadows

[@Uhirgz]

@@_notofthisearth i wanted something as cinematic as this for Reptile 🥲🥲

[@maxalaintwo3578]

@@DrDeusExMachina you callin Misha fat?

[@itspravus]

8:40 that section is so amazing! Matt is a monster.

[@haydengray9682]

That mysterious bossa nova section is so cool

[@handhikarizkito]

Great drumming Matt! Best song on album! 🔥

[@louisxD]

Amazing as always

[@denisonlima1]

Tá maluco. Não consigo parar de ver esse vídeo.

[@NickyLaurienzo]

The rhythms at 9:43 to the end are so sick

[@kettlemagic]

Djent D-Djent! Djent D-Djent! Djent D-D-Djent D-Djent!

[@jasonpoland5507]

Criminally underrated. Amaze balls

[@KVNRT21]

Absolutely amazing performance.

[@lmk001]

He's just a frickin monster on drums

[@mrsoulslike570]

I can watch you forever man. So good

[@chriskennedy6521]

One of my favorite songs on this album.

[@jasonpoland5507]

I love watching Mark play. So much emotion and feel

[@nikis1254]

Absolute masterpiece. Incredible song

[@nodnarB14]

Can't wait to watch this! Can you please do 'Everything Is Fine!' next, so we can all suffer extensive neck damage? Thank you!

[@southcarolinagrizfan1594]

The bridge of this song gives me chills.

[@toschaspace]

stunning!!