Rush - Freewill (Drum Cover)

Drum cover performed by Mike Malatino and produced by Midnite Media.
mikemalatino.com/
www.midnitemedi...
"Freewill"
Permanent Waves (1980)
Written By: Rush (Neil Peart, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson)
www.rush.com/
This is by far my favorite tune from Rush, followed by "Subdivisions" in a close second. There are a ton of time signature changes to keep you on your toes in this song. My favorite part is the middle bass solo section in 12/8, excellent groove and very fun to play. There are also a lot of complicated drum fills to keep ones concentration. I really enjoyed putting this together for your entertainment. Thank You. Enjoy!!!"
Special thank you to Steven Chandler for the guitar intro performance.
(Disclaimer)
"I am not claiming any rights to this song. The Copywrite is owned by Core Music Publishing, a division of Cat Productions, Ltd. (1979)."

[@patdaveoneil]

Great job! As hard as this song is, you nailed all the parts and fills and everything, I'm a drummer myself, and I've always wanted to play this song and this video has helped me a lot! Keep drumming!

[@MikeMalatino]

***** Excellent! Glad it helped! Yes, this song is a pain to get right. You have to stay focused!!

[@DoktorDamage]

Big Rush fan here. Dude, that was OUTSTANDING !!!! The solo section is always the hardest part, and you nailed it bro. I subbed, great job !!!!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you for the kind words! 😎

[@loud7070]

Nailed it. Bravo Mike!

[@milomodany]

Mike = the GOAT

[@stevenchandler84]

My what a handsome hand on guitar! Nice job Mike!

[@MikeMalatino]

LoL, The guitar intro made that video!! Thanks Steven!!

[@jmdrk3907]

100% accurate.. best drum cover i've seen on youtube, congrats!!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you for the kind words! 😎

[@dstern86]

Near flawless. This is really doing Neil Peart justice, well done man!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@frankfossaceca9616]

WOW !!!!!! Oh Hell yea dude.!! Spot on Brother !!!!!!!

[@jeffchacon5781]

Now that Neil is retired, here's you big shot Mike !!! Go for it. !!!

[@stevenwilsondrummer5956]

That was superb dude. Really enjoyed watching that.

[@MidnightGamer-ew2hs]

Esta rola es buenísima en la batería, uno de los mejores grupos en cuanto rock progresivo se refiere.

[@markdemell3717]

Excellent ,, it was not a struggle for you , three thumbs up !

[@vinburkard2858]

Been drumming for 40 years and still can’t get it down all the way besides the difficulty maybe it just in my head in any case perfect mike !

[@russmartin6763]

Outstanding. Your kit sounds great, as well. Kudos!

[@stevenfreitas8775]

One of the few that nailed the Peart groove. Awesome job!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@AlexanderTheGreatMusician]

Wow I am speechless... incredible!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnwicks5678]

Brother man - you can really play the drums. Rush is a longtime favorite of mine, and you really help it stay alive. Thank you !!!

[@drumvisio]

Awesome!! Loved it competely!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@craighblackstock448]

It's a pleasure to watch your fluidity. Brilliantly played brother

[@Mrbest-cw9nn]

Excellent young man.

[@salvadorplumeri528]

Perfeito! Nota 1000.

[@jhc2093]

Nice job right there!

[@scottallen6160]

First, awesome focus not just on your face but the evident wear marks on your snare. Second, the irony of Free Will the song along with free hand making cymbal accents made me big time smile! Your subtle snare work throughout this performance was Awesome! You, my friend, are truly talented! This video is older by the time I viewed it but it is extraordinary! I hope you are doing well today! This world needs people like you, especially today! God Bless! Keep being yourself!

[@EricNTammy304]

Badass, my man, badass!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thrill Biscuit Thank you Sir!!!

[@020bonzo]

killed it, nice job!

[@dustinstephenson7136]

hard song to play hell of a cover brother one of the best covers to freewill congrats

[@MikeMalatino]

Wow! Thank you very much! 😎

[@Odthean]

Well done! Very difficult song

[@salvadorplumeri528]

Neil Peart deve estar aplaudindo!😇😇😇😇😇

[@apieceofdirt4681]

It's nice to see a drummer do a Rush drum cover and be original!! The majority of drummers that do the Neil Peart covers have their drums set up the same way Neil does they have the same cymbal set up the same brand of drums and cymbals that Neil uses.......they even play traditional grip on the songs Neil uses traditional grip on knowing full damn well that matched grip is how they play!! Now that I've gone off on a tangent, it's nice to see originality. Good video.

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@xx832ace7]

Very nice

[@benc640]

Awesome cover, awesome editing. Great work.

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@mariyajom]

awe.some. !!!!! holy fucking crap, you totally rocked RUSH!!

[@MikeMalatino]

:-) Yes, Yes i did!! Thanks!!

[@teddys3558]

Beautifully played dude! Nice hands and very relaxed playing!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thanks for noticing and the kind words! 😎

[@sgtBelson]

Great job, and kudos on the editing! Very entertaining. Whenever I hear this one, I think of the Time Machine dvd and Neil’s reaction coming out of the ‘3 simultaneous solos’. It’s a workout.

[@drumr72]

Out frigging standing good man. Neil would be damn proud for sure.

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you very much for the kind words.

[@forever-an-athlete]

Outstanding job! Great energy.

[@MikeMalatino]

+minktraining Thank you!

[@mikelocke9325]

That was absolutely awesome. Great job playing one of the harder Rush songs. 👍

[@MrDaveAtkinson]

Very good job with this cover Mike!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thanks Dave, I really appreciate that!

[@raymondcallaway6634]

Nice job Mike

[@MikeMalatino]

Raymond Callaway Thanks Raymond

[@MrElky]

well respected very much u did a hard song to do and that's good I love it dude keep it up

[@MikeMalatino]

+Mr. krewellaKitty Thank you very much!

[@kevindonnelly9811]

Thank you for this upload! Very helpful. Keep up the great work. X

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@TheRicardosuman]

Amazin job, man!!!! Incredible!!!! Congrats

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you very much! 😎

[@sttvoyager1727]

Awesomeness brother. You did a fantastic job!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@user-cq1ru2co6q]

Perfect

[@makkrohero59]

The guitar solo part is so sick

[@MikeMalatino]

My favorite too! 😎

[@68cutty]

good job man,good job

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@rickdeckard9810]

Check out the hi-hat and cymbal pattern on how it's really played from 3:15 on... the way Peart actually plays it is very cool I think you'd appreciate it.

[@NelsonRealTime]

Amazing!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@billeason2995]

Mike - Dude! Awesome playing buddy! I'd love to play this too, but I have a long way to go yet. However, thank you for the master class and, like Patrick said - it's helped me a lot as well. Thank You!

[@mmm4081]

you sir deserve a cookie. Great cover

[@MikeMalatino]

I worked my ass off on that tune and all i get is a cookie!? ;-)

[@mmm4081]

yes because i am jealous and cant yet play the chorus like you :D

[@MikeMalatino]

Frederik Filo Well, i hope the video helps. I will also stay that this song requires you to stay on top of the beat. Good luck and have fun!

[@jgr1623]

Congratulations, bro! Excelent job!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you very much! 😎

[@vegasmarc21]

You should ask Zildjian for a sponsorship. Your Cymbals sound great. I have Custom A Customs, Custom K dark Ride, quick beat hi-hats a custom hi-hats, when I was looking for a China and was looking at Wuhan those Zildjians sound awesome, now I have to get that.

[@LordQueezle]

EPIC!!! You did an AWESOME job!!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you!! More to come soon!!

[@LordQueezle]

Mike Malatino I will be waiting :D

[@rickmueller6474]

outstanding!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@IepsyI]

Top notch man. Great work!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@ElegantKiwi]

Wow you killed it, great job man!

[@MikeMalatino]

+Murphy YT :-) Thanks a ton!

[@brianbrotz1463]

That was SICK!!! Perfectly done!!! Thank you for sharing! Love all the camera angles also. I want to perfect this song, and I will use your video to help me :)

[@Silver2308]

Yaas man! Great cover!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@g4ce062]

Is this Mikey Mayhem? Nice cover, you ROCKED it.

[@MikeMalatino]

No, this is Midnite Mike. Thank you! 😎

[@johnriley3367]

This is insanity. Holy shit😮

[@gtludwig41]

Awesome Mike

[@MikeMalatino]

+greg thompson Thanks Greg!

[@Coryiodine]

Awesome cover dude! i liked the camera angles switching from the bass pedal to hi-hat flares i found it funny lol..

[@MrElky]

definatly subscribed

[@MikeMalatino]

+Mr. krewellaKitty Thank you!

[@Handyscissors]

Mad cover man

[@Elielson2548]

Incrível. Awesome

[@CptMunson15]

Good job

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@becquessouthernarizonaexpl5675]

awesome job

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@CosmicDustBin]

Great job!

[@MikeMalatino]

Shawn Horning Thank you!

[@mattbacon8360]

Ohhhhh yes 🖒🖒

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@JasonSpitzMI50]

📣 🤘Rock On!!🤘

[@MikeMalatino]

Always! 🤘😤🤘

[@user-do6lo5vq1y]

great！

[@alanpowell24]

Good effort!

[@zeroten9835]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@MikeMalatino]

I can’t find the “bow” emoji

[@jonanthony6136]

Neil's definitely doing triplets on hi-hat portion of the lead before he goes to the ride...then continued with the triplets against the ghost notes on the snare. Looked like you were doing straight 16ths...

[@MikeMalatino]

There not triplets, there 32nd note diddles with the right hand. Very hard to do at that speed. I tried and failed a ton of times, so I just left them out.

[@jonanthony6136]

@@MikeMalatino Nylon tip rebounds off bell of ride.

[@MrDrummerman32]

Amazing, Mike! And with how close you have your China to your ride, I'm willing to bet you could murder a cover of Subdivisions

[@MikeMalatino]

Possibly! 😎

[@pcbw75]

awesome Mike! i'm a fan, wish you had a constant foot cam going :) love your playing

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! At the time of filming this I believe I only had 2 cameras. I have since purchased another an my later videos feature a foot cam.

[@robvonky]

WOW NOT 100% THE WAY NEIL DOES IT BUT DAMN YOU ARE SPOT ON MAN !

[@mr3n10]

Nice

[@MikeMalatino]

Thanks 😎

[@RCSkunkWorX]

Out f****** standing spot on my good sir whoever the six idiots were they didn't like this video have no clue as to what drumming is all about

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you very much kind sir! 😎

[@MrQuirinus]

😮.....👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@casbah1982]

EDLR= every drummer loves Rush!

[@MikeMalatino]

Pretty much!

[@tommodeski8637]

Nice job...bro if u rise up the front of your bass drum a little the beater will strike the head at 90 degrees, it makes a difference

[@jaguarblack5051]

I love your playing and all your camera angles.......its very cool. I just wanted to ask you if possible to higher the volume on your hi hat and the ride. I just couldn't hear anything especially RUSH because obviously you know.....it's 16th or 18th notes. Thanks!!!...........love your play!!

[@MikeMalatino]

+Christopher Lee Thanks for the kind words. Although there is no such thing as 18th notes.

[@MrElky]

not a problem

[@davidguzzardo6327]

I’m Not usually one to comment on KZbin videos! Well, “If you don’t have anything nice to say!”ect. I’ve watched many Drum covers of the song. 🗣Finally!!! Somebody nailed the song, well done!🎉 Also I loved watching you play and not be distracted by facial straining lol that’s when executing a part that was difficult! Nothing more distracting to me when a great fill🥁comes in and you’re distracted by this monster👹facial expression!Well that’s just me! But you do know what I’m speaking of, right!😂 Yet I must say some constructive criticism! I would like to hear the sound be as impressive! Then it would be an incredible experience! Sorry for my honesty if It wasn’t said with respect! I just wanted to be honest coming from another musician! I just feel an incredible sound to match your caliber drummer would be a game changer! So I’ll be looking forward to some videos from you, now that I have subscribed🔔✔️ Great job, can’t wait to watch some more of your drum covers!

[@MrRadar1967]

Would be better if you would have taken the original drum track out and then played it. You can hear the original drum track... Half the time it sounds like left hand Flams on the snare.

[@MikeMalatino]

+MrRadar1967 Well, i don't know how to remove drum tracks from an original. If you know how, please let me know! :-)

[@Coryiodine]

I think it's better with the drum track because it shows off how on point you were. Without the original drum track you wouldnt be able to tell whether or not you played a certain part accurate or just jammed a drum fill if that makes sense.

[@eschdaddy]

Well done! One word of advice, always tune your drums to the medium you’re using. But excellent foot work, and stick control!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! How do you tune your drums to the medium, what does that mean? I’m confused?

[@eschdaddy]

Mike Malatino: Your medium references the central instrument you're using to tune. If your guitar and bass tune to a tuner, then use the tuner. If you’re using the keyboard, tune to the keyboard. Medium isn’t used as in large, medium, small, but rather medium as in your canvass, film, or sound. In this case, pitch of the recording. Sorry for the confusion.

[@JedLow-vx8ou]

👍

[@Shawnee845]

which china cymbal is that.

[@MikeMalatino]

18 inch Zildjian Oriental trash China to my left, the 20 inch is on my right.

[@joestocker660]

Noice!😃

[@g4ce062]

I know who you are now. Subscriber!

[@gopher3920]

I didn't know Joe Mauer played drums!

[@MikeMalatino]

That’s not my name, I don’t know who that is

[@gopher3920]

Mike Malatino baseball player. Google him! Great job btw

[@shayrealestatephotography]

It's all about 3:38.

[@santiagogonzales8442]

266 subscriber - great job!!! THX!!

[@TheHammerfire]

Great!!!! that cymbals using????? crashs and ride

[@MikeMalatino]

Thanks! I don't understand the question though.

[@joes0406]

+Mariano Cerquatti The china sounds awesome...

[@TheEleatic]

Thank you, for not wearing shorts. Adequate aggression.

[@tommodeski8637]

Badd ass bro! Take a look at your beater when it hits bass drum its past 90 degrees, lift the front of your bass drum till beater hits flat....

[@randallratay3712]

I miss Neal. But great job kid

[@joeycurr1]

badd ass bro

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you! 😎

[@maxxbenzz7842]

Sounded great but you have to hit your snare harder the whole song I know Neil has some strong ass forearms and wrists. Hard to compete

[@Shawnee845]

sorry about that but I found o your website.