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Oscar Santiago Combines Latin Percussion and Heavy Metal

We recently found a cool video in which percussionist Oscar Santiago (drummer for Ill Niño, Puya, and Ankla) demonstrates how to incorporate Latin percussion into heavy metal. And yes, we know what you’re thinking: Latin percussion and heavy metal? That’s crazy!

As crazy as it sounds, Santiago seems to make it work. In the first half of the video, Santiago demonstrates the combination of heavy metal music and Latin percussion by blending two videos of himself: one in which he plays heavy metal on a kit and one in which he complements the heavy metal drumming with Latin percussion on world hand drums. In the second half of the video, he explains what hand drum patterns he used throughout his performance and why he chose certain patterns to complement the coinciding portions of the heavy metal drumming.

We’re not sure how well the two distinct aesthetics blend together, but we’re always open to hearing percussionists get creative with their music, and this combination is no exception. See for yourself:

Fellow drummers and music enthusiasts: What do you think about the combination of heavy metal music and world hand drum percussion? Unique hybrid or two distinct sounds better off on their own?

28th Oct 2014

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