Russian Circles - Enter

The best part about Dave Turncrantz, drummer for instrumental metal (instrumetal?) band Russian Circles, is that he rarely sounds like a metal drummer. His dynamic playing gives the songs an ebb and flow that is more akin to Godspeed You! Black Emperor or Mogwai. Is it heavy? Sure, it's really fucking heavy, but there is an underlying texture to it all, and that is nearly impossible to do.

The big part of his drumming that stands out for me is his cymbal playing. While most metal guys have two ways to hit a cymbal (the Lars smash or the Slayer ride tinkle) Turncratz can make his cymbals swell and decay within the time of the song, and he uses every section to get his desired effect. Side washes, cymbal chokes, triplets and swells are peppered throughout the entire record along with lots of toms and double kick flourishes. This is thinking-mans metal.

I first heard this record when I was on tour in a bar in Hamilton, setting up my drums. It was a nice vacation from the usual music that gets played when bar staff are setting up (which is usually a cross between Incubus and Incubus). That was over three years ago, and I still listen to this album constantly.

PS. The ending of Death Rides a Horse is probably one the best break down/kick ins ever.

Audio/Visual Evidence : Death Rides a Horse, Carpe (camera on drummer the whole time)