10 Great Songs with Double Bass Drumming

Are you looking for some songs with fantastic double bass drumming? This is the list for you! It includes old songs that majorly influenced double bass drumming and modern metal songs with blazing-fast double kicks.

The standard of double bass drumming has gotten very high among modern drummers. A whole generation of drummers has focused heavily on improving their speed and technique on the pedals (both with and without using drum triggers, which is a topic I won’t get into in this article!).

That said, let’s not forget about the drummers that made them popular, which is why I have included some classic songs that used the double pedals.

1. Slayer – Angel of Death (Dave Lombardo)

The song “Angel of Death” was the opening track of the album “Reign in Blood”, which came out in 1986. The record had a major influence on metal music. This is an iconic song with singer Tom Araya screaming during the intro.

Dave Lombardo’s drumming took this album to another level. Lombardo is one of the fathers of double bass drumming in metal music. His skill and energy level have always been appreciated by his audience.

Fast riffs and double bass drumming in the song certainly altered the thrash metal landscape. The chaotic music is a treat for listeners of metal. The record also includes a very famous double bass drumming solo.

2. Trivium – Sever the Hand (Alex Bent)

This song is the eighth track from Trivium’s album “The Sin and The Sentence”, released in 2017.

“Sever the Hand” definitely grows on you and is one of the top favorites because of the applauded double bass drumming by Alex Bent, who is why he is widely considered as one of the best drummers in the business.

The fills and cymbal accents in the track outshine his skills. The deathly grooves are a great base. His fluency with the drums is amazing. Beginners can surely take inspiration from this playthrough.

3. Motorhead – Overkill (Lucas Fox)

The album “Overkill” was released in 1979 by the iconic band Motorhead. Lucas Fox on the drums was great and contributed a lot to this track. His bass drumming is much less busy than modern tracks, but he was one of the early pioneers of using the double kick.

The album’s title song, “Overkill,” was Motorhead’s breakthrough in their musical journey. The exceptional energy of the song is partly due to the amazing double-kick drumming of Lucas Fox.

This old record still leaves a mark on the audience as well as aspiring drummers.

4. Oceans Ate Alaska – High Horse (Chris Turner)

This one is not as famous as the previous ones, but you can clearly see that the drummer, Chris Turner, has some amazing abilities.

The drumming in this song is fast and intricate. The control and speed required to execute these rhythms should not be underestimated!

5. Metallica – Dyers Eve (Lars Ulrich)

It’s the closing track of the album “… And Justice for All”, released by Metallica in 1988. The song is a favorite of many Metallica fans.

The lyrics and tone of the song were influenced by the trauma experienced in James Hetfield’s upbringing. It’s a fast song, bursting with energy.

Despite what haters might say, we can safely say that this song included a very solid performance from drummer Lars Ulrich. The speed of the double bass was very impressive, particularly as this was not as commonplace in the 80s.

Unfortunately, Lars now simplifies this song’s drumming when playing it live, so we don’t get the fast, constant double bass hits that the song became known for.

6. Slipknot – Disasterpiece (Joey Jordison)

“Disasterpiece” is the third track from Slipknot’s second studio album, entitled “Iowa”, which was released in 2001.

It is a compilation of Slipknot’s most popular tracks, including “Disasterpiece.” The song covers the subject of bullying and how the victim is voicing his thoughts.

This song is often referred to as one of Joey Jordison’s best throughout the many songs released during his time at Slipknot.

His presence is strong, with lots of energy on the stage, as well as with his double bass drums working non-stop and ferociously.

Want to get an electronic drum set that works great with double kick pedals? Check out our guide on Double Bass Electronic Drum Sets

7. As I Lay Dying – 94 Hours (Jordan Mancino)

Released in 2003, the second album by the band As I Lay Dying had some great tracks, and “94 Hours” was one of the best among the lot. Jordan Mancino has some heavy use of the double bass in this one, and it’s definitely worth a listen!

8. Miss May I – Forgive and Forget (Jerod Boyd)

“Apologies Are for the Weak” by the band Miss May was released in 2009 and became very popular. “Forgive and Forget” was the last track on the album.

Jerod Boyd is a skilled metal drummer. This track has some sure-footed double bass drum work, as well as some great-sounding blast beats. The drums will give you an adrenaline rush that will certainly make you want to rock out!

9. Dream Theater – The Dark Eternal Night (Mike Portnoy)

If you’re looking for some highly technical double bass drum playing, then Mike Portnoy is certainly one to listen to.

“The Dark Eternal Night” is a heavy prog song by the band Dream Theater. It is the fourth track on their ninth studio album, “Systematic Chaos”, released in 2007. The song is a combination of groovy and brutal riffs blending with jazzy keyboards.

Mike Portnoy on drums delivers complex and impressive rhythms that are still great on the ear. This is something we have certainly come to expect from him! This lengthy track comprises epic riffs, soulful vocals, and fantastic drumming!

10. Mötley Crüe – Red Hot (Thomas Lee)

A classic track released in 1983 by Mötley Crüe, the double bass song named “Red Hot” is an amazing classic song.

The album that had this number is entitled “Shout at the Devil”, which hit the shelves in 1983. This record was certified quadruple platinum in the United States and helped the band gain their breakthrough success.

The song contained some impressive drumming by Thomas Lee, who is popular for his double bass drums. Lee worked with equal energy and passion on his drums, which blended well with the rest of the band.

Notable Mentions

Metallica – One

“One” is a timeless Metallica classic that features a great double-bass drum riff on the 4.39 mark of the song. With 16th-note triplets in a straight 8th feel and fast guitar riffs, the part creates a bone-crunching impact.

Dream Theater – Under A Glass Moon

“Under A Glass Moon” is one of the best Dream Theater songs if you want to see tasty Mike Portnoy drumming. The part features an impressive double bass beat that spans a 2-bar pattern. Notably contributing to the groove is the presence of quarter notes on the hi-hats and the off-beat snare hits in the first bar, creating a compelling rhythmic dynamic.

Marcus Miller – Rampage

While “Rampage” predominantly exudes a distinct jazz-funk ambiance, it notably incorporates a double bass drum performance in its breakdown section, expertly executed by the Grammy Award-winning drummer Will Calhoun from Living Colour.

This creative application of double bass drumming is particularly striking due to its sparse usage, yet it delivers an exceptionally captivating and innovative drumming groove.

Van Halen – Hot For Teacher

“Hot For Teacher” played a pivotal role in popularizing double bass shuffles, where triplets on the kick drum are executed with a clever twist, skipping the middle beat to create a galloping effect.

In addition, for the ride cymbal pattern, focusing on playing only the first two notes of each triplet adds a unique layer to the beat. When all these elements are seamlessly woven together, the result is a distinct and fascinating, unconventional and captivating rhythm.

Meshuggah – Bleed

“Bleed” is a complex and popular groove that is nothing short of extraordinary and epic, particularly considering its progression throughout the song. It’s a common challenge among metal drummers to dare their peers to master the intricate herta bass drum pattern showcased here.

The most straightforward method to start your learning journey involves maintaining a consistent RRL (Right-Right-Left) sequence with your kick drum, interspersing an extra left-foot strike between the two right-foot hits. This effectively creates a three-note rhythm. Meanwhile, your hands maintain the rhythm of a traditional rock beat.

Summary

If you want to rock out to some great songs with double kicks or get some inspiration when drumming with your own double bass drum pedals, then I hope this can become your go-to list.

Do you have any other great double bass drumming tracks that you would like to share? Write a comment below!

Featured Image of Dave Lombardo by Krousky Peutebatre / CC BY-SA