THIS IS WHAT AN 8-MINUTE CONTINUOUS DRUM SOLO UP AN ENTIRE BROOKLYN BUILDING LOOKS LIKE

Check out this video of Blotted Science drummer Charlie Zeleny (also of Behold… The Arctopus, Jordan Rudess, and more) playing an 8-minute drum solo while climbing up the floors of a Brooklyn building in one continuous take (!!!). At first I was all “Come on, really? Corny,” but he totally sells it… really cool concept:

Now check out this video of Charlie’s bandmate Ron Jarzombek explaining his “12-tone system” approach to writing music. These kinds of videos give fodder to trolls who argue that this style of theory-based writing and technicality are too scientific and take the “soul” out of metal. I beg to differ; much like a chef can enhance his kitchen concoctions with an extensive understanding of ingredients and their qualities, a  songwriter can use this sort of knowledge of the scientific underpinnings of music theory to help construct better, more cohesive songs. It’s certainly not necessary — I, for one, often just throw a bunch of food and spices together in the kitchen to see what happens, and it usually comes out quite delicious — but there are definitely times I wished I knew a bit more about what’s what. Check out the video, which I think even those of you who aren’t musicians will appreciate:

-VN