Blast Beat
AdvancedPattern Breakdown
How each instrument contributes to the groove
Kick drum hits on every eighth note (every other sixteenth), driving a wall of low-end.
Snare hits on the opposite eighth notes, alternating with the kick in a constant barrage.
Hi-hats play every sixteenth note, filling in every possible subdivision at maximum speed.
At 190 BPM with sixteenth-note hi-hats, this pattern approaches the physical limits of human drumming.
No open hat, clap, or rim is used; blast beats are pure kick-snare-hat intensity.
Variations & Tips
Ways to modify and expand this pattern
Shift the snare to every beat (quarter notes) for a "hammer blast" variation.
Add double kick (kick on every sixteenth) for a "gravity blast" intensity.
Break the pattern with a half-bar fill to create dynamics.
Drop to 160 BPM for a "slow" blast that is more sustainable for live performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What genres use blast beats?
Blast beats are primarily found in extreme metal sub-genres: death metal, black metal, grindcore, and deathcore. They also appear in mathcore and some progressive metal. The technique was pioneered by drummers in the 1980s underground metal scene.
How fast is a blast beat?
Blast beats typically range from 180 to 280+ BPM. At these speeds, the drummer is playing alternating kick and snare strokes at extremely rapid rates, often exceeding 10 strokes per second per limb.
Related Patterns
More patterns to explore
Boom Bap Classic
A hard-hitting boom-bap beat in the tradition of 1990s East Coast hip-hop. The swung hi-hat pattern, punchy kick doubles, and crisp snare backbeat evoke the golden age of sample-based production.
Samba
A Brazilian samba party beat with driving cross-rhythms, constant hi-hat motion, and interlocking kick and snare patterns. This groove captures the infectious energy of Carnival percussion.
Dancehall
A dancehall riddim pattern with its distinctive one-drop kick pattern, rim shot accents, and delayed clap. This groove is the engine of Jamaican dancehall music and has influenced countless global genres.
Train Beat
A driving country/rock train beat with rapid snare doubles that mimic the chugging rhythm of a locomotive. This pattern powers rockabilly, country, and Americana tracks with relentless forward motion.