Animals as Leaders · Polymetric layering and linear coordination over djent's shifting riffs
A linear hand-kick pattern that mirrors a syncopated guitar riff note-for-note
Practise: Learn the riff's rhythm by ear first, then map it onto the kit hand by hand
Comes out of: Stage 1 — Foundations — riff-tracking sticking
Heard in: CAFO · Physical Education · Para Mexer
WorkoutA hi-hat foot pattern grouped in a different number to the kick pattern underneath it
Practise: Lock the kick pattern first, then add the hi-hat grouping slowly until both feel independent
Comes out of: Stage 3 — Signature techniques — polymetric layering
Heard in: Kascade · Another Year · Tempting Time
WorkoutReinterpreting a subdivision as a new pulse to shift between two riffs at different tempos
Practise: Play the first riff, isolate the modulating subdivision, then accent it until it feels like tempo
Comes out of: Stage 3 — Signature techniques — polymetric layering
Heard in: CAFO · Physical Education · Kascade
WorkoutA short double-kick burst placed precisely on a riff's syncopated accent
Practise: Isolate the burst at half tempo, then drop it exactly onto the riff hit it belongs to
Comes out of: Stage 5 — Double-kick vocabulary under djent riffing
Heard in: CAFO
WorkoutKick, hi-hat and snare each following a different grouping length simultaneously
Practise: Build one layer at a time, only adding the third once the first two are fully automatic
Comes out of: Stage 2 — Core grooves — linear riff tracking
Heard in: Physical Education · Kascade · Tempting Time
WorkoutA fast linear fill across snare and toms mapped directly onto a riff's rhythmic shape
Practise: Sing the riff's rhythm, then translate it onto the kit at a slow tempo before speeding up
Comes out of: Stage 6 — Fills & transitions — linear tom fills over riffs
Heard in: Kascade · Another Year · Tempting Time
WorkoutA fill built from five- or seven-note groupings that resolves cleanly back into the riff
Practise: Count the grouping aloud slowly, then play it against the riff without a click
Comes out of: Stage 3 — Signature techniques — polymetric layering
Heard in: Kascade · Tempting Time · The Brain Dance
WorkoutA sustained double-kick pattern held exactly under a repeating syncopated riff
Practise: Loop the riff for a full track length without letting the kick pattern drift or rush
Comes out of: Stage 1 — Foundations — riff-tracking sticking
Heard in: CAFO · Tempting Time · Isolated Incidents
WorkoutA crash cymbal placed exactly on a riff's unison hit for tonal emphasis
Practise: Play the riff groove straight, then add the crash only on the specific accent it belongs to
Comes out of: Stage 1 — Foundations — riff-tracking sticking
Heard in: Para Mexer
WorkoutIndependent limb layers that briefly lock into unison before separating again
Practise: Practise the unison moment in isolation first, then build the surrounding independence around it
Comes out of: Stage 2 — Core grooves — linear riff tracking
Heard in: Physical Education · Kascade · Tempting Time
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