Sustained 250+ BPM Blast — George Kollias (Nile) Drum Lick | MetalForge
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Learn the Sustained 250+ BPM Blast drum lick by George Kollias of Nile. From Sacrifice Unto Sebek (Those Whom the Gods Detest (2009)). "Sacrifice Unto Sebek" from Nile's 2009 album Those Whom the Gods Detest is one of the benchmark exa...
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1. George Kollias's Signature Licks — "Sacrifice Unto Sebek" from Nile's 2009 album Those Whom the Gods Detest is one of the benchmark examples of sustained extreme-tempo drumming in recorded metal. George Kollias performs the track at around 255 BPM, maintaining not just individual blast patterns but extended sections of that intensity without the kind of fatigue-driven degradation in timing or articulation that would afflict most drummers at that speed. His ability to sustain blast beats at 250+ BPM for long passages is a product of the same principle that underpins his gravity blast: total relaxation. Tension in the arms, wrists or hands is the enemy of both speed and endurance, and at these tempos it will cause fatigue within seconds. Kollias has described his approach in clinics as one of learning to remove effort rather than to add it — the motion becomes more efficient with practice until it feels as natural as a slower pattern. The alternating-foot double bass that underpins the blast adds another layer of demand: both feet must run in precise alternation at extreme speed, and the coordination between upper and lower body has to be so ingrained that it is effectively unconscious. "Sacrifice Unto Sebek" is the proof-of-concept for this approach — the track is intense from beginning to end, and Kollias plays it with a consistency that makes 255 BPM sound achievable even as it remains one of the hardest drumming feats on record. For drummers, the track is a master-class in stamina training: it teaches that building endurance for extreme tempos is a physiological process that happens over months and years, not weeks, and that injury prevention — regular rest, proper technique, avoiding tension — is not optional but foundational. Work the alternating-foot double bass and the blast coordination separately, incrementally raise the tempo on a metronome, and never sacrifice technique consistency for speed.2. George Kollias Profile — Maintain a traditional blast pattern at 255 BPM through full sections — articulation must stay even, never smeared Keep the wrists, forearms and shoulders completely relaxed; tension is the primary enemy at these tempos Drive alternating-foot double bass in precise coordination underneath the blast — both feet must be fully independent Breathe regularly and consciously during extended blasting sections to maintain oxygen flow and prevent early fatigue Use efficient motion: minimise stick height and forearm travel so that less energy is required per stroke
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