Overkill 8th-Note Double Bass — Mikkey Dee (Motörhead) Drum Lick | MetalForge
Learn the Overkill 8th-Note Double Bass drum lick by Mikkey Dee of Motörhead. From Overkill (Overkill (1979, performed by Mikkey Dee)). The double-bass pattern on "Overkill" is one of the most influential drum parts in heavy metal histo...
Gear Deep Dives & Articles
1. Mikkey Dee's Signature Licks — The double-bass pattern on "Overkill" is one of the most influential drum parts in heavy metal history — a relentless, churning roll of 8th notes that rumbles beneath the song like an engine with no governor. Phil Taylor's 1979 original created the template, but Mikkey Dee's live performances of the song made the double-bass the focal point of his tenure with Motörhead: he brought the pattern his exceptional foot technique, his ability to sustain even, articulate kick strokes at high velocity, and his showmanship in milking the song's dramatic stop-start dynamics for maximum crowd impact. The specific technique Dee applies to the Overkill double bass is worth examining closely, because it differs from the blast-beat-derived double bass that drives extreme metal. Rather than a burst of maximum speed, the Overkill pattern is a controlled, even roll of 8th-note kick strokes — both feet alternating in perfect subdivision, with neither foot dominating or dragging. At 195 BPM, this means each foot is playing at approximately 97.5 BPM individually, which is demanding but sustainable with proper heel-up technique and ankle drive. The key is that every stroke sounds identical in volume, attack, and decay — the bass drum pattern should sound like a single foot playing at speed, not one dominant foot and a weaker partner. Mikkey's years of practice and live performance have made this evenness completely natural, and it is the thing that separates his version of the pattern from a merely competent execution. The dramatic false endings and stop-start dynamics that make "Overkill" thrilling live depend entirely on this foot precision: when the band drops out and then the drums roar back in, the double bass has to restart at full intensity immediately without any warm-up. For drummers working on double-bass technique, "Overkill" is a perfect vehicle because the pattern is simple enough to focus entirely on evenness and stamina without navigating complex coordination challenges. Start with a four-bar 8th-note roll at 80 BPM, focus on making both feet sound absolutely identical, then extend the duration before increasing tempo. Build in 5 BPM increments, only advancing once both feet remain matched at the current speed for a full minute without fatigue. Practising this way builds the ankle control and muscle memory that make long double-bass passages sustainable rather than survivable.2. Mikkey Dee Profile — Alternate feet in even 8th-note strokes — every stroke identical in volume, attack, and decay Use heel-up technique with ankle drive rather than leg force to sustain the roll Keep both feet perfectly matched so the pattern sounds like a single foot at speed Practise the false-ending restarts so the double bass fires immediately at full intensity Build duration at a comfortable tempo before increasing speed
Visit MetalForge →