OFF THE RECORD: Muse's Dominic Howard - Black Holes And Revelations


Modern Drummer
January 2008

England's Muse soars into rock's upper echelon on the strength of their biggest-selling album to date: Black Holes And Revelations. Buoyed by major airplay and touring, the band has moved beyond early comparisons with Radiohead and Queen to forge their own musical identity. For his part, drummer Dominic Howard gives the band whatever it requires, from delicate brush work to explosive progtype fills. Though he can play simply when called upon, Howard has enough cool grooves and complicated riffs to warrant a good look in this month's Off The Record.

"Take A Bow"
The album's opening track is a scathing political indictment that builds to an explosive climax. When Dominic's groove enters, the slow 12/8 tempo allows the drummer to drop in 64th-note rolls and energetic snare/kick tradeoffs. 
As the song nears its finish, Howard adds more bass drum and snare notes to his splashy ride beat, building intensity right to the end. 

"Map Of The Problematique"
A tom beat dominates the first half of this dance-groove track before Dominic changes to a 16th-note hi-hat pattern for the remainder of the song. The connecting section between the two grooves is this aggressive snare and crash pattern that jumps right out of the speakers. This part also doubles as a perfect ending for the song.

"Invincible"
After setting the tone with a marching snare pattern early in this tune, Howard adds a U2-like feel to the track with this 16th-note hi-hat beat featuring displaced snare and tom accents.
The song's instrumental section begins with a 16th-note sequence, played in unison by the band until Dominic's triplet fill releases into the guitar/synth solo. 

"Assassin"
Muse's occasional prog leanings are on display in the intro of this track. Howard locks to the band's fast 16th-note riff with his drum pattern, embellishing it with some 32nd-note snare work before ending in a flashy triplet fill.
The song ends on the same instrumental sequence, where Dominic drops in another quick fill punctuated by two accents on a China cymbal. These over-the-bar fills show off the drummer's adventurous and sophisticated style.

"City Of Delusion"
This verse beat matches up to the tune's syncopated guitar rhythms, which is held together by a steady quarter-note bell pattern.
Dominic enhances the Middle Eastern flavor of the track with a wonderful groove in the second part of the verse. The hand drum-inspired fill included here adds to the effect.

"Knights Of Cydonia"
The album's closer races along on Howard's galloping offbeat hihat groove. It's the perfect groove to express the imagery of the song's title.


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