The Number of the Beast Live Groove — Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden) Drum Lick | MetalForge
VIDEO
Learn the The Number of the Beast Live Groove drum lick by Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden. From The Number of the Beast (The Number of the Beast (1982)). "The Number of the Beast" is one of Iron Maiden's most legendary songs, and although Clive Burr drum...
Gear Deep Dives & Articles
1. Nicko McBrain's Signature Licks — "The Number of the Beast" is one of Iron Maiden's most legendary songs, and although Clive Burr drummed on the 1982 studio version, the track has been a centerpiece of Nicko McBrain's live sets for four decades — long enough that his powerful interpretation of it is what most modern fans know. The song moves from its ominous spoken intro into a galloping, fast-driving metal anthem, and McBrain attacks it with the swing, energy, and explosive fills that define his style. His signature live approach is all about drive and showmanship: he keeps the fast groove locked to Steve Harris's bass while throwing in the big tom rolls and crash accents that make a stadium erupt, all on his trademark single bass pedal. In his live drum-cam footage you can see how he balances raw power with control — the groove never rushes, the fills land exactly on the section changes, and the energy is relentless. For drummers, learning "The Number of the Beast" in McBrain's live style is a study in classic metal drive and live performance: it develops a fast, locked-in galloping groove, big tom fills that mark transitions, and the stamina and showmanship to carry an anthem. The approach is to internalise the groove until it's automatic, place the fills to highlight the song's dramatic shifts, and play with the confidence the song demands. It's a definitive example of how McBrain turned a classic into his own and a benchmark for energetic heavy-metal drumming.2. Nicko McBrain Profile — Lock the fast galloping groove to the driving bass line Throw in big tom rolls and crash accents to lift the anthem Drive the whole song on a single bass pedal through feel Place fills exactly on the dramatic section changes Internalise the groove so it stays automatic and unrushed
Visit MetalForge →