Breaking the Law Live Drive — Scott Travis (Judas Priest) Drum Lick | MetalForge
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Learn the Breaking the Law Live Drive drum lick by Scott Travis of Judas Priest. From Breaking the Law (British Steel (1980)). "Breaking the Law" is one of Judas Priest's most recognizable anthems, and while Dave Holland drumme...
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1. Scott Travis's Signature Licks — "Breaking the Law" is one of Judas Priest's most recognizable anthems, and while Dave Holland drummed on the 1980 British Steel studio recording, Scott Travis has powered it live for over three decades, bringing his heavier, harder-hitting modern feel to the classic. The song is built on a simple, driving rock groove, and Travis's live interpretation is a great lesson in how a powerful drummer elevates a straightforward part — he plays it with authority and weight, locking a punchy backbeat to the iconic riff and making a deceptively simple groove hit like a freight train. His signature even on a basic part is control and power: the time is rock solid, the backbeat is huge, and the fills are clean and purposeful. For drummers, "Breaking the Law" is an accessible but valuable study in groove and feel: it develops a solid, powerful backbeat, steady time at a driving tempo, and the discipline to serve a song rather than overplay it. The approach is to lock the groove to a metronome, focus on making the backbeat hit hard and consistent, and keep the fills simple and well-placed — exactly the qualities that make a classic rock-metal groove work. It's a reminder that not every signature part is about speed; sometimes the lesson is how a great drummer makes a simple groove powerful, and Travis's live version of "Breaking the Law" is a perfect example.2. Scott Travis Profile — Lock a punchy, powerful backbeat to the iconic riff Play the simple groove with authority and weight Keep rock-solid time at the driving tempo Keep fills clean and purposeful — serve the song, don't overplay Make the backbeat hit hard and stay consistent
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