Getty Image / Emma McIntyre
Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren is going mega-viral for a video where he showcases how impressive professional musicians are and in particular, how talented of a drummer he is.
The premise of the video is simple: the drummer listens to a song for the first time but a version of the song without drums. They then try to play the drums along with the song how they think it would be played originally.
Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers recently went viral in a video that racked up 6 million views. In that one, he plays along to ‘The Kill’ by Jared Leto’s 30 Seconds to Mars. For Dirk Verbeuren’s video, he plays along to ‘Mr. Brightside’ by The Killers which honestly, it was hard for me to believe he had never heard this song before but he’s deeply embedded in the Heavy Metal scene so we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren Crushes The Drums On The Killers Song He’s Never Heard Before
He absolutely crushed that. From start to finish, the dude nailed it while making it his own. Verbeuren’s drums are somehow both chiller/mellower but pack an even harder punch.
It was also fascinating to Dirk Verbeuren reach for a pen and start writing his thoughts down instead of trying to store it all up in his head. Definitely a sign of a seasoned veteran.
The top comment on YouTube sums up my thoughts exactly. They wrote “Whoever came up with this content concept deserves a raise. So sick.” After watching Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers nailing ‘The Kill’ a few weeks ago and now this, I’m convinced this is the best series on YouTube at the moment. And if you missed Chad Smith’s video, you’re in luck:
Verbeuren is one of the most talented drummers in the Heavy Metal industry, an industry built in the back of fast-paced and perfectly synced drumming, vocals, and guitar. He joined Megadeth relatively recently, in 2016, when he replaced Chris Adler who was busy with the band Lamb of God.
Part of what can lift a professional musician from gig work to long-term success is the ability to learn new songs on the fly. Showing up to a session and being able to crush a new track is a crucial skill to develop for aspiring musicians because it enables them to quickly assimilate to new bands.