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Colin Brittain playing drums during a musical studio session
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Linkin Park Drummer Colin Brittain Takes On Iron Maiden Blind Test

The band's current beatmaker improvised drum parts for "Hallowed Be Thy Name" on Drumeo after hearing it for the very first time.

By Rae MitchellPublished Updated 2 min read

Taking on an iconic heavy metal track with zero preparation is no simple task, but Linkin Park’s current drummer just proved his skill behind the kit. Colin Brittain made an appearance on the popular drum channel Drumeo for a high-stakes challenge, tackling a massive Iron Maiden song without having ever heard it prior to the session. Brittain took part in Drumeo's signature series titled "For the First Time." The show pushes professional percussionists outside their comfort zones by playing them tracks stripped of their original drum recordings. The guest musicians must then figure out the arrangement on the spot and perform their own drum parts after listening to the tune for the very first time. For Brittain's attempt, Drumeo selected the legendary Iron Maiden track "Hallowed Be Thy Name." The Linkin Park member had to listen through the tune, break down its structure in real time, and invent a drum line that matched the track's heavy metal style.

Colin Brittain Iron Maiden Drumeo video During the

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For the First Time" process, drummers listen closely to the music to identify tempo changes, rhythmic cues, and dramatic shifts in the song's energy. Brittain had to use his musical instincts to map out where to place heavy beats, subtle fills, and dynamic transitions without any prior knowledge of how the original drum track sounded. Once he was ready to play, Brittain recorded his unique take on "Hallowed Be Thy Name." He delivered a powerful performance that captured the classic feel of the track while putting his own personal spin on the arrangement.

Linkin Park drummer Drumeo challenge Brittain currently serves as the drummer for Linkin Park, making his Drumeo session an exciting showcase for fans wanting to see his raw talents in action. Taking on an unfamiliar piece of music under studio pressure allowed him to demonstrate how quickly he can adapt and create behind the drum set. By taking on Iron Maiden's complex composition without a safety net, the beatmaker showed off the technical precision and creative quickness required for top-tier rock musicians. The impressive performance gives viewers an inside look at how professional drummers improvise and compose under tight constraints.

The backstory

Verified moments, in order.

Linkin Park: The hits, the loss and the new lineup

Two blockbuster albums make their name. A pop pivot divides fans, Chester Bennington’s death stops the band, and a 2024 restart puts Colin Brittain behind the kit.

  1. 2000-10-24

    Hybrid Theory breaks the band

    Linkin Park — Hybrid Theory breaks the band

    Linkin Park release their debut album, pairing Chester Bennington’s singing and screams with Mike Shinoda’s rapping. In the End and Crawling help turn that mix into a mainstream force. Crawling wins the Grammy for best hard rock performance in 2002.

  2. 2003-03-25

    Meteora makes it more than one hit album

    Linkin Park — Meteora makes it more than one hit album

    Their second album enters the US album chart at No. 1. Numb, Somewhere I Belong and Breaking the Habit expand a catalogue built around electronic textures, heavy guitars and the contrast between Bennington and Shinoda.

  3. 2017-05-19Flashpoint

    The pop turn divides the audience

    Linkin Park — The pop turn divides the audience

    One More Light arrives with a pop-focused sound, signposted by Heavy, featuring Kiiara. The shift draws backlash from listeners attached to the band’s heavier records, but the album still debuts at No. 1 in the US. It becomes their final studio album released during Bennington’s lifetime.

  4. 2017-07-20

    Bennington dies at 41

    Bennington dies by suicide, and Linkin Park cancel their upcoming North American tour. The surviving members gather with guest musicians for a tribute concert at the Hollywood Bowl on October 27. The band then enters a years-long hiatus from touring and making new studio albums.

  5. 2024-09-05

    Brittain takes the drum seat

    Linkin Park — Brittain takes the drum seat

    Linkin Park unveil a returning lineup with Emily Armstrong sharing lead vocals with Shinoda and Colin Brittain replacing founding drummer Rob Bourdon. Bourdon does not participate in the reunion. The band perform together, release The Emptiness Machine and announce the album From Zero and a return to touring.

  6. 2024-09-06Flashpoint

    Armstrong’s past draws scrutiny

    Armstrong responds to criticism over attending a 2020 court hearing in support of Danny Masterson, who is convicted of rape in 2023. She says she went as an observer, subsequently realized she should not have attended and does not condone abuse or violence against women. Her past ties to Scientology also draw scrutiny as the reunion begins.

  7. 2024-11-15

    The new lineup goes on record

    From Zero arrives as Linkin Park’s first studio album since One More Light and their first with Armstrong and Brittain. It turns the reunion into a new recording chapter, with Brittain now occupying the drum seat Bourdon held throughout the band’s original run.

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People also ask

Which Iron Maiden song did Linkin Park's drummer play?
Colin Brittain played Iron Maiden's track 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' during his Drumeo session.
Had Colin Brittain heard Hallowed Be Thy Name before the video?
No, the Drumeo series challenged Brittain to listen to and play the song for the first time during the recording.