blastbeats

A blastbeat is a rapid drum pattern used in extreme metal, characterized by extremely fast, repetitive bursts of notes. The core of a blast beat usually combines rapid bass-drum (double bass) work with snare accents, often supported by continuous cymbal or ride patterns to produce a relentless tempo.

The technique emerged in the late 1980s and became a defining feature of grindcore and death metal in the 1990s. Early examples appear on Napalm Death and Terrorizer material, and drummer Pete Sandoval of Morbid Angel helped popularize the pattern with his high-speed snare and bass work.

Patterns vary widely, but the hallmark is a flurry of notes at high tempo with the bass drum driving the pattern and the snare providing backbeat accents. Many patterns place the snare on beats 2 and 4 while the kick-drum plays rapid sixteenth notes; others emphasize kick patterns or use constant cymbal pulses.

In modern metal, blastbeats appear across subgenres such as technical death metal, brutal death metal, and metalcore, with drummers pushing tempos well above 200 BPM. They are often used to convey intensity and chaos, though some performers vary the pattern for phrasing and dynamics.

Notable practitioners include Mick Harris (Napalm Death), Pete Sandoval (Terrorizer; Morbid Angel), Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy), Derek Roddy, and George Kollias (Nile).