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The Most Heavy Metal Hand Percussion: 10 Metal Songs Featuring Hand Percussion

A selection of metal songs that incorporate hand percussion, such as timbales, congas, bongos, tablas, darbukas, shakers, dhol drums, and more.

By Magesh MageshContributing Author

Heavy Metal is nearly always associated with distorted guitars, bone-crunching bottom end, and double bass drumming. It is unusual to hear hand percussion in loud music. This is simply because it would, most of the time, be drowned out by the volume.

Check out these 10 Metal songs that have hand percussion.

1. Sepultura - Ratamahatta

Sepultura has always been known for their distorted guitars, raging vocals, and intense lyrics. Adding timbales and congas gives this song a groove that is both tribal and hypnotic.

This was from their Roots album from the 90s, which gave them a lot of commercial success. You can clearly hear the timbales in the song's intro at 21 seconds.

2. Bloodywood - Ari Ari

This is a super interesting song because it combines classical Indian music with Metal. To be honest, I found it really hard to categorise. The vocals that kick in in the chorus are clearly metal, as is the distorted guitar. The Indian dhol drums are a nice touch, driving the song's rhythm through the verses.

3. Tool - Right in Two

Tool are known for pushing the boundaries of music. Although a lot of the time thought of as a progressive band, this song definitely has elements of Metal.

Drummer Daney Carey is a true master when it comes to playing odd time signatures. He plays classical Indian hand drums called tablas at 1 minute 52 seconds. This gives the song an original sound, which is what Tool are known for.

4. Soulfly - Soulfly 2

This is a great track that showcases this band's versatility as musicians. A more subtle approach to music than their usual heavy guitars. The intro is filled with bongo drums and a shaker, which set up a groove that is hypnotic and funky.

It runs throughout the track, adding a new dimension to the band's sound.

5. Blaakyum - Riot Against Riot

I like listening to obscure bands that really push the envelope of what we consider Metal. This band is definitely no exception. The layering of guitars reminds me of early Metallica.

Listen to this song at 52 seconds, where you can hear a Middle Eastern hand drum being played, called the darbuka (it can also be played with sticks).

This band definitely has created their own sound.

6. Metallica - Wherever I May Roam

It would be hard to write an article about Heavy Metal without mentioning the rock gods, Metallica. The intro of Wherever I May Roam has an Indian instrument called the sitar. It is a stringed instrument, but can also be played with metal finger picks, which is why I am putting it in the hand percussion category. 

This is a memorable song due to the unique intro. This riff is later doubled on the guitars. 

7. Avenged Sevenfold - Sidewinder

I always loved this band as I thought the drummer had such an amazing groove. This has classic heavy Metal staples like fast double bass drumming and loud guitars. At the end of the song, you can hear timbales, which are Latin hand percussion.

8. King Diamond - Voodoo

The classic metal band uses bongos and congas during the intro of this song. This creates a double-time feel, which makes the song feel faster than it actually is. The drum groove comes in midway through the song, playing more of a classic heavy metal beat.

9. Black Sabbath - Planet Caravan

This is probably the most mellow song Black Sabbath ever released. Legendary drummer Bill Ward plays congas on this track. The rhythm is actually in 4/4 timing, although with the beats Bill accents, it almost feels like it is in 6/8 timing.

I like this song because it is so stripped back to showcase Ozzy Osbourne's vocals. The hand percussion part is deceptively difficult to play.

(Fun fact: the drummer Bill Ward of Black Sabbath once had his drum tech email me to say that he loved my instructional drumming DVD, Unique Beats) 

10. Fishbone- Servitude

Fishbone is one of those bands that is almost impossible to categorize. This song has classic metal guitars that are doubled up. It is in 6/8 time, which is highly unusual for this style of music. The hand percussion sounds like Darbukas, which are Middle Eastern hand drums.

You can hear it clearly during the song's outro. 

About Magesh Magesh

Magesh is a musician and producer who has worked with Rihanna, Lionel Richie, Ricky Martin, Chris Brown, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Nelly Furtado, and Vernon Reid of Living Colour. He released an instructional drumming DVD called "Unique Beats" where he mixed the drum kit with electronics and Indian hand percussion. He recently moved from Australia to the UK to explore new musical opportunities.
Website: mageshdrumteacher.co.uk

Contact Magesh Magesh at magesh.magesh7@gmail.com

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