Tool - Lateralus - Johnkew Drum Cover

I've done a fair amount of Tool covers over the past few years, but there have been a few songs that I've really wanted to try, but have waited, for various reasons. Lateralus is one of my favorite songs, but I've held off recording it because the longer I listen and play along with Tool songs, the more I learn about Danny Carey's talent and style. Lateralus is one of those iconic songs that I really wanted to do justice. Looking back on some of my early videos, I had a lot of fun playing, but in hindsight, there were a lot of technical elements that I missed. I don't regret playing them, but I'm glad I've waited on this one.

I'm still nowhere near Carey's level of playing, but I think I understand enough of his techniques and style that I'm very happy with the combination of feeling and technique that this song requires. Regardless, once again I had a ton of fun trying to play along with one of Tool's arrangements, and I hope that this energy translates well through this video. By the end of the song, I felt like I had tunnel vision. Almost like a trance. I love that feeling, and it's one of the reasons why I keep playing the drums. I've never really captured that energy with anything else.

Hopefully I find some time to make a behind the scenes video about this song and recording. There is a lot of background that won't fit in this description box.

As always, thanks for watching, and for your feedback. And if you feel so inclined, please share.

and Twitter @JohnkewDrums

Recorded on Sonor Select Force maple drums, Pearl free-floating maple 14-inch snare, Evans G2 batter drum heads and G1 resonant drum heads, Sabian HHX Evolution 14-inch hi-hat; Sabian AAX-plosion 14-inch hi-hat auxiliary; Stacker with Sabian 19-inch Paragon china and 18-inch AAX O-zone, Paiste Dark Energy 8-inch splash; Sabian 21-inch Holy China, Sabian 18-inch HHX crash, Sabian 19-inch HHX crash, Sabian AAXplosion, Sabian Paragon ride cymbal, 18-inch crash, DW 9000 double bass pedal, DW 3000 hi hat stand, Tama drum throne, Vic Firth Danny Carey signature sticks, Audix Fusion overhead microphones, Apex 435 room mics, Audix D-series mics on toms and kick, Audix i5 and Shure SM57 mic on snare, M-Audio Profire 2626 interface, Logic Pro X, Sony Alpha 6000, Canon T2i, Canon Vixia HF M40, and GoPro HD Hero cameras, Shure in-ear monitors.

[waynekerr]

The bit between 0.00 and 9.28 is killer

[dokanyon]

Danny Carrey is one of the smartest drummers i've listened to in my life.

[soysantim]

A very close friend of mine died 7 years ago on accident. He was the one who introduced me to Tool and this was the first song he made me listen. I feel in love with the band instantly. Every 24 of March I open a beer, listen to this song and see this video. hoping that someday I can pay tribute to his memory by doing a drum cover.

[hhmvene]

8:05 is no one gonna talk about that?!?!?

[SFGW]

07:06 is my favourite Danny Carey fill of all time, it's just so unbelievably brutal at that part in the song.

[dylan]

Fact: The best Tool covers on youtube are from Johnkew

[johnkew]

Thanks for your comments everyone; I read each and every one and I'm blown away by the amount of great feedback!

[chejo]

Stop being modest and scream loudly from rooftops:

"I can nail Tool drum tracks!"

How many do you think can claim that??


This is just awesome!!!!

[zachi]

5:39 This is the part where the polyrhythms start to get really mind-bending! Great job!

[CristianHernandez-dxtn]

Damn bro, the 4:55-7:18 section is one of the most glorious moments of drums in metal for sure.

[TheBrawlingBrothers]

Love the Fibonaci spiral on the drum. nice touch.

[brettrunr]

Holy mother of god that was good! What a pleasure to watch someone with such a gift. Its reassuring that in this world there are still people out there pursuing art and expression in positive ways. Much respect.

[JoshuaPagan]

*watches drum cover full of intricate and complex parts - subscribes cause of cool drumstick twirling*

[john_doh_]

My air drumming would never be as good as his performance 🤘

[silentrev_]

7:08 thank me later






The whole thing is.absolutely. A.W.E.S.O.M.E! Total badass!

[timothywolff-piggott]

The stick flip at 07:20 is basically a mic drop.

[SlemonyGas]

This cover is way better than Meytal's version. You seem to 'get' what Danny Carey's drumming is all about which is playing with feeling. It really comes through in the sound.

[AakashBalajiCyborg]

I dont have a drumkit, but its so much fun to play along the starting parts of the song with pens lmao

[markmeri]

If ya'll don't know much about drumming, lemme just tell you that the foot intrance at 2:03 requires such a high level of independence and it's incredibly hard to keep both feet running like that while still playing fives with the hands
Preach for this drummer!!

[djentrification]

7:07 Arguably the best fill in the whole damn song 😁