Spin Doctors drummer Aaron Comess was challenged to play Avenged Sevenfold’s “Afterlife” as he heard it for the first time as part of Drumeo’s popular series. The “For the First Time” series is known for pitting drummers against drumless tracks they’ve never heard, asking them to come up with an arrangement on the spot.
The series is a test of a drummer’s skill and creativity, and Comess rose to the challenge. He stuns Drumeo host Brandon Toews by nailing his performance in one take, crediting his quick success to meticulously charting the song. His approach leans heavier on backbeat-driven rock playing rather than being by the bells and whistles common in heavy metal drumming, especially bands who draw from the progressive music well.
Comess’ Performance
Comess’ performance is impressive, especially considering he had never heard the song before. The song, originally played by late A7X drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan, leans heavy on double bass at various points, which Comess replaced with more pocket-driven grooves. Still, his approach based on first instincts wound up feeling much the same as the original, showing the shared sensibilities of seemingly quite different players.
Spin Doctors are currently supporting Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms on a US tour, with tickets available. Avenged Sevenfold, meanwhile, are set to kick off their co-headlining North American tour with Good Charlotte on July 25th, with tickets also available.
Drumeo and Upcoming Tours
For those looking to start their drum journey, Drumeo is offering a 30-day free trial. Avenged Sevenfold and Spin Doctors are both set to embark on tours in the coming months, giving fans a chance to see them live. Watch the full video of Aaron Comess taking on “Afterlife” to see his impressive performance for yourself.
In conclusion, Aaron Comess‘ performance of Avenged Sevenfold‘s “Afterlife” is a testament to his skill and creativity as a drummer. His ability to learn and play the song in one take is impressive, and his approach to the song shows a deep understanding of the music. Fans of Spin Doctors and Avenged Sevenfold won’t want to miss their upcoming tours, and those looking to learn how to drum can take advantage of Drumeo‘s 30-day free trial.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
