Aaron Comess, the drummer for Spin Doctors, recently faced an intriguing challenge. He was invited to play Avenged Sevenfold's 'Afterlife' as he heard it for the first time, as part of Drumeo's 'For the First Time' series. This series pits drummers against drumless tracks they've never heard, asking them to come up with an arrangement on the spot. Comess, known for his meticulous charting and backbeat-driven rock playing, stunned the host, Brandon Toews, by nailing his performance in one take. His approach, while rooted in his first instincts, still felt much like the original, showcasing the shared sensibilities of seemingly quite different players.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between Comess' style and the late A7X drummer Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan's approach. Sullivan's original performance leaned heavily on double bass at various points, which Comess replaced with more pocket-driven grooves. Despite these differences, Comess' performance felt much the same as the original, highlighting the shared sensibilities of seemingly quite different players.
In my opinion, this highlights the importance of individual style and interpretation in drumming. While some may argue that a drummer should stick to the original arrangement, Comess' performance demonstrates that a drummer's unique style and interpretation can still capture the essence of the original song. This raises a deeper question: how much freedom should a drummer have in interpreting a song, and how much should they stay true to the original arrangement?
One thing that immediately stands out is the impact of the late Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan on the drumming community. Sullivan's innovative use of double bass and pocket-driven grooves has left a lasting impression on drummers, and Comess' performance is a testament to that. It's fascinating to see how his style has influenced other drummers, and how they have incorporated his techniques into their own playing.
What many people don't realize is the importance of individual style and interpretation in drumming. While some may argue that a drummer should stick to the original arrangement, Comess' performance demonstrates that a drummer's unique style and interpretation can still capture the essence of the original song. This raises a deeper question: how much freedom should a drummer have in interpreting a song, and how much should they stay true to the original arrangement?
If you take a step back and think about it, this highlights the importance of individual style and interpretation in drumming. While some may argue that a drummer should stick to the original arrangement, Comess' performance demonstrates that a drummer's unique style and interpretation can still capture the essence of the original song. This raises a deeper question: how much freedom should a drummer have in interpreting a song, and how much should they stay true to the original arrangement?
This raises a deeper question: how much freedom should a drummer have in interpreting a song, and how much should they stay true to the original arrangement? This is a complex question that has been debated by drummers and musicians for decades. Some argue that a drummer should stay true to the original arrangement, while others believe that a drummer should have the freedom to interpret the song in their own way. Ultimately, the answer lies in the drummer's individual style and interpretation, and the song's overall essence.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the impact of the late Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan on the drumming community. Sullivan's innovative use of double bass and pocket-driven grooves has left a lasting impression on drummers, and Comess' performance is a testament to that. It's fascinating to see how his style has influenced other drummers, and how they have incorporated his techniques into their own playing.
What this really suggests is the importance of individual style and interpretation in drumming. While some may argue that a drummer should stick to the original arrangement, Comess' performance demonstrates that a drummer's unique style and interpretation can still capture the essence of the original song. This raises a deeper question: how much freedom should a drummer have in interpreting a song, and how much should they stay true to the original arrangement?
In conclusion, Aaron Comess' performance of Avenged Sevenfold's 'Afterlife' highlights the importance of individual style and interpretation in drumming. While some may argue that a drummer should stick to the original arrangement, Comess' performance demonstrates that a drummer's unique style and interpretation can still capture the essence of the original song. This raises a deeper question: how much freedom should a drummer have in interpreting a song, and how much should they stay true to the original arrangement?
