Concubine Grind Assault — Ben Koller (Converge) Drum Lick | MetalForge
VIDEO
Learn the Concubine Grind Assault drum lick by Ben Koller of Converge. From Concubine (Jane Doe (2001)). "Concubine" is the explosive opening track of Converge's landmark 2001 album Jane Doe, and Ben Kolle...
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1. Ben Koller's Signature Licks — "Concubine" is the explosive opening track of Converge's landmark 2001 album Jane Doe, and Ben Koller's drumming on it is one of the most influential performances in the history of mathcore and chaotic hardcore. Lasting barely over a minute, the song is a furious blur of blast-influenced speed, lurching tempo changes and jagged accents, and Koller plays it with a wild, almost unhinged energy that nonetheless stays locked to Kurt Ballou's serrated guitar riffing. What makes his approach so distinctive is that he treats the kit like a hardcore punk drummer rather than a metal technician — there is enormous physicality and abandon in his playing, yet the precision required to track the riff's sudden stops and restarts is immense. The track careens between flat-out blasting, frantic single-stroke fills that tumble around the toms, and tight, punchy hardcore grooves, all delivered at a tempo that punishes any hesitation. For drummers, "Concubine" is a study in controlled chaos: it demands raw speed, fearless dynamics, and the ability to lock to a riff that is deliberately trying to throw you off, all while playing with the kind of loose, aggressive feel that gives Converge its identity. Learning even part of it builds single-stroke speed, blast-beat stamina, and the confidence to attack the kit hard without losing the thread of the arrangement. It is also a lesson in feel over polish — the goal is not robotic perfection but a performance that sounds dangerous and alive while still hitting every transition. Koller's drum-cam footage of the song reveals just how much body and motion go into it, making it a fascinating watch for anyone studying how to generate that much intensity. It remains a benchmark for extreme hardcore drumming. Decades after its release it still sounds shockingly intense, and learning to play it with that same reckless abandon is a goal worth chasing for any hardcore drummer.2. Ben Koller Profile — Lock the frantic groove to the guitar riff through its sudden stops and restarts Drive the fast sections with blast-influenced single strokes between snare and hi-hat Tumble single-stroke fills around the toms and resolve them on the downbeat Attack the kit hard with a loose, aggressive hardcore feel rather than rigid precision Build speed and stamina from a slower tempo before approaching full pace
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