Holier Than Thou
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Metallica on Drums

Advanced

Want access to all lessons?

View Plans >>

Learn to Play Holier Than Thou Faster With Pro Interactive Drum Player

Choose your Drum Sheet Version

Two versions of the drum sheet - choose the one that fits your level and goals.

ORIGINAL VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Intermediate

Exactly as played on the original recording
All fills & ghost notes
Full arrangement

Purchase for only 1.90$

SIMPLIFIED VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Advanced

Easier to learn
Simplified fills
Reduced ghost notes
Perfect for beginners & intermediates

Purchase for only 1.90$

Not sure which version?

We recommend starting with the Simplified Version and moving to the Original Version once you're comfortable with the groove and structure.

Unlock all songs library and practice like a pro:

$10 / month

Billed at $120 per year

7-day free trial
Full access to all songs
Interactive player
Downloadable drum sheets
Full support
Cancel anytime
30-day money-back guarantee

Start with 7-Day Trial

$15 / month

Billed at $15 per month

Full access to all songs
Interactive player
Downloadable drum sheets
Full support
Cancel anytime

Purchase

Drumming Techniques You'll Learn in Holier Than Thou

High-Speed Double Kick Endurance
Syncopated Snare Accent Placement
Cymbal Choke Timing Precision
Rapid Linear Tom Fills
Driving Hi-Hat Pulse Control

Recommended For

This drum sheet is recommended for intermediate to advanced metal drummers looking to build foot speed endurance, dynamic snare precision, and high-tempo groove stability. It is especially valuable for players who want to refine their double bass drum bursts, tight syncopation, and rapid fill execution while maintaining continuous structural energy and steady timing throughout a fast-paced heavy metal performance.

Learn to play Holier Than Thou on drums

Play Holier Than Thou drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized video player. Follow every note in real time as the notation moves with the music, slow down challenging sections with tempo control, loop driving double-bass patterns until they feel natural, and isolate the drum track to analyze every stroke of Lars Ulrich's high-tempo metal drum transcription. Whether you are improving your foot speed endurance, sharpening fast snare fills, or tightening your double-kick syncopation, our step-by-step learning tools make mastering this Metallica track faster, easier, and far more effective than practicing from a static PDF alone. Start practicing today to master this thrash metal groove.

Song information

Artist: Metallica

Drummer: Lars Ulrich

Album: Lars Ulrich

Released: 1991

Sheet Music Details

Length

4 pages of clean drum score layouts

Tempo

150+

Time Signature

2/4, 4/4

Key features

Features high-tempo quarter-note hi-hat grooves, driving sixteenth-note double bass bursts, aggressive snare accents, syncopated ride cymbal bell patterns, and rapid linear fill transitions across the entire tom set.

Song's Overview

Released in 1991 on Metallica's self-titled album, Holier Than Thou stands out as one of the fastest and most aggressively paced tracks on the record, bridging the gap between raw thrash metal speed and polished heavy metal production. Driven by intense rhythmic velocity, the song challenges drummers to maintain structural precision while delivering continuous momentum. For musicians looking to learn Holier Than Thou on drums, the track provides a rigorous workout in foot speed, snare articulation, and overall stamina. The drum sheet reveals a relentless quarter-note and eighth-note driving feel on the hi-hat, punctuated by rapid double bass drum bursts that mirror the aggressive main riff. Studying a Holier Than Thou drum cover highlights how strategic fill placement and sharp cymbal choking enhance the song's stop-start structural dynamics. Mastering this Holier Than Thou drum sheet requires tight coordination between your lead hand and kick drum foot, ensuring every accent cuts through the dense instrumentation cleanly. Beyond sheer speed, the drumming on this track teaches players how to maintain clarity and groove control during high-tempo heavy metal performances.

Want access to all lessons?

View Plans >>

About the Drummer

Lars Ulrich is the co-founder of Metallica and a driving force behind the global success of heavy metal. His career has influenced millions of people to start learning drums specifically for metal. He is known for his ability to write rhythms that perfectly lock in with complex guitar riffs.

Drumming Style

Ulrich’s style is defined by driving double-bass work and a punchy, aggressive snare. Playing drums in his style requires great physical stamina and an understanding of heavy metal song structure. His tracks are legendary choices for drum covers and are fundamental to metal drum lessons.

Practice Advice

Start Practice at Reduced Tempo

The fast tempo requires crisp foot and hand execution. Start practicing at 120-130 BPM before gradually working up to the original 160 BPM. Focus on clean double bass strokes and tight snare backbeats rather than speed to build accuracy.

Loop Fast Double Bass Bursts

Isolate the fast double-kick patterns during the verses and chorus transitions. Use loop mode to repeat these sections continuously, ensuring your bass drum ankles remain relaxed and perfectly synchronized with your hi-hat hand.

Avoid Rushing the Fill Entries

A frequent error is rushing the fast tom fills when transitioning between song sections. Keep your count steady through the fills and avoid pushing ahead of the beat, making sure the downbeat lands cleanly on the crash cymbal.

Lock Snare with the Metronome

Maintain steady quarter-note hi-hat pulse while driving the snare backbeat firmly on beats two and four. Practice along with a click to ensure your timing does not fluctuate during high-energy verse sections.

Master Sharp Cymbal Chokes

Practice grabbing the crash cymbals immediately after striking them on syncopated stops. Execute clean, abrupt chokes without altering your foot pulse on the bass drum, maintaining dynamic contrast across the intro and bridge transitions.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Lock In the Verse Groove

Begin by isolating the main verse pulse. Focus on maintaining a tight quarter-note hi-hat pattern while executing the quick double bass drum accents smoothly beneath the steady snare backbeats.

Phase 2: Master Syncopated Stops and Accents

Work through the sharp intro and chorus structural changes. Practice the sudden cymbal chokes and kick drum syncopations slow enough to ensure complete physical control before building up tempo.

Phase 3: Refine High-Speed Tom Fills

Break down the descending tom fills and rapid fill transitions scattered throughout the track. Concentrate on even hand-to-hand balance and precise downbeat placement when exiting each fill back into the primary pattern.

Phase 4: Perform the Full High-Energy Track

Combine all parts into a full play-through from start to finish. Build physical endurance to maintain consistent volume, precise timing, and peak energy without tensing up during the entire arrangement.

FAQ

Is Holier Than Thou suitable for beginners?

It’s more suited for beginners with some experience. Using features like tempo control and looping can help you learn it at your own pace.

Can I learn Holier Than Thou if I’m not very confident reading drum notation?

It’s possible to learn Holier Than Thou by ear, especially if you break it into sections. Over time, you’ll also improve your ability to read drum notation.

Do I need a full drum kit to play Holier Than Thou?

Yes — to fully play Holier Than Thou as recorded, a full drum kit is recommended due to the use of multiple toms and cymbals.

How will learning Holier Than Thou improve my drumming skills?

By learning Holier Than Thou, you’ll work on coordination between your hands and feet, as well as transitions between grooves and fills.

What skills do I need before learning Holier Than Thou?

Before learning Holier Than Thou, it helps to be comfortable with basic grooves, simple fills, and maintaining steady timing.