Laid to Rest Ride-Bell Groove — Chris Adler (Lamb of God) Drum Lick | MetalForge
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Learn the Laid to Rest Ride-Bell Groove drum lick by Chris Adler of Lamb of God. From Laid to Rest (Ashes of the Wake (2004)). "Laid to Rest" from Lamb of God's 2004 album Ashes of the Wake is the song that announced Chris Adle...
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1. Chris Adler's Signature Licks — "Laid to Rest" from Lamb of God's 2004 album Ashes of the Wake is the song that announced Chris Adler as one of the most influential metal drummers of his generation, and its grooves are studied by drummers worldwide. Adler's signature is a heel-up, ride-bell-driven approach where his right hand rides the bell of the cymbal while his feet weave intricate, syncopated double-bass underneath — a style that gives Lamb of God its distinctive churning, mechanical-yet-human intensity. "Laid to Rest" is a showcase of exactly that: the verses lock a busy kick pattern to the band's lurching riffs while the ride bell keeps a relentless pulse, and the choruses open into a punishing half-time groove that hits like a wrecking ball. What makes the part so demanding is the independence required — the hands and feet are doing very different rhythmic jobs at once, and keeping the ride bell steady while the kick syncopates against the riff takes serious coordination. Adler's fills are equally instructive: linear phrases that flow around the kit and tumble back into the groove without ever losing the pocket. For drummers, "Laid to Rest" is a complete study in modern groove-metal drumming: it develops four-way independence, double-bass control at speed, and the ability to lock complex kick patterns to a riff while maintaining a driving cymbal pulse. Learning it forces you to slow down and isolate the layers — feet, ride hand, backbeat — before reassembling them at tempo, which is one of the best coordination workouts in metal. Because Adler filmed clinics and the song has been transcribed exhaustively, the sticking and foot patterns are well documented, making it an accessible deep-dive for advanced players. It remains a rite-of-passage track and a benchmark for anyone wanting to play in the modern groove-metal style with power and precision.2. Chris Adler Profile — Ride the bell of the cymbal with the right hand for a relentless pulse Weave the syncopated double-bass underneath, locked to the lurching riff Hold the ride-hand pulse steady while the feet syncopate against the guitars Drop into the punishing half-time chorus groove for maximum weight Flow through linear fills that tumble back into the pocket without losing time
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