Hail To The King Drum Tab

Practice Avenged Sevenfold on Drums

Intermediate

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Learn to play Hail To The King on drums

Play Hail To The King 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 difficult grooves until they feel natural, and isolate the drums track to hear every detail of Arin Ilejay's powerful studio performance. Whether you are building your double bass stamina or refining your heavy quarter-note pocket, our step-by-step learning tools make mastering this track faster, easier, and far more effective than practicing from a static PDF alone. Grab your sticks and lock in the metal groove today!

Song information

Artist: Avenged Sevenfold

Drummer: Arin Ilejay

Album: Hail to the King

Released: 2013

Sheet Music Details

Length

4 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

110-119

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features heavy mid-tempo quarter-note grooves, syncopated single-stroke tom rolls, precise double bass drum bursts, and highly dynamic crash accentuations that demand physical endurance and precise limb coordination.

Song's Overview

Released in 2013 on Avenged Sevenfold's album of the same name, Hail To The King marked a distinct shift toward a more traditional, stripped-back heavy metal production style. Built around driving, anthemic rhythms, the track emphasizes monumental space and power over the rapid-fire tempo changes and complex progressive elements seen in the band's earlier work. For drummers, learning Hail To The King on drums offers a profound lesson in restraint, dynamic power, and rhythmic precision. The track is driven by a crushing, mid-tempo quarter-note groove that requires unwavering concentration to keep the pocket deep and steady. Instead of overplaying, the drumming relies on massive, tribal-sounding tom fills during the introduction and precise double-kick bursts in the chorus to build energy. Every note must hit with maximum authority to support the heavy arrangement. Years after its release, this modern metal anthem remains a staple for anyone looking to analyze a precise heavy rock drum cover. Working through the Hail To The King drum sheet challenges players to maintain impeccable timing and physical endurance without rushing the slow, heavy beat, making it an essential study in modern rock drumming.

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About the Drummer

Arin Ilejay is an American drummer best known for his time with Avenged Sevenfold, where he served as the band's touring drummer from 2011 before becoming an official member in 2013. He performed on the album Hail to the King and helped the band transition following the loss of their legendary drummer, Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan. Before joining Avenged Sevenfold, Arin played with the metalcore band Confide, and later became the drummer for Islander. Raised in a musical family, he was exposed to rock, funk, jazz, and Latin music from an early age, giving him a versatile foundation that extends beyond heavy metal.

Drumming Style

Arin Ilejay's drumming combines solid groove, precision, and musical restraint. While capable of highly technical playing, his work on Hail to the King intentionally favors straightforward, powerful drum parts inspired by classic heavy metal. His style emphasizes strong pocket playing, clean execution, and impactful fills that serve the song rather than showcasing excessive technicality. Outside of Avenged Sevenfold, his performances reveal greater versatility, incorporating influences from funk, jazz, Latin, and modern rock with more intricate ghost notes, syncopation, and dynamic phrasing. His approach reflects a drummer who values musicality, consistency, and versatility over flashy speed alone.

Practice Advice

Start Below Full Speed

The main groove requires total rhythmic stability. Begin practicing with a metronome at 95 BPM before moving up to the original 118 BPM. Focus on clean, heavy kick and snare alignment to ensure the pocket stays completely solid.

Loop the Chorus Grooves

The chorus features quick double bass drum patterns beneath a steady hands groove. Use looping sections to isolate these measures, practicing the foot patterns slowly until the coordination feels natural and perfectly relaxed.

Avoid Rushing the Tempo

A common mistake is pushing the tempo during the tom fills. Keep your internal pulse grounded and resist the urge to speed up, ensuring you enter and exit every fill exactly on the beat.

Focus on Heavy Accents

To capture the authentic feel, focus on the power of your backbeat. Ensure your snare hits and crash accents are consistently strong and dynamic throughout the entire duration of the track.

Develop Tom Fill Fluidity

The intro features a distinct single-stroke roll sequence across the toms. Practice this pattern slowly, focusing on even note spacing and moving smoothly between the drums without losing your balance or timing.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Anchor the Quarter Note Groove

Isolate the foundational verse rhythm. Focus on maintaining a powerful, unwavering quarter-note pulse on the hi-hat while placing your bass drum and snare hits with total precision to build foundational groove consistency.

Phase 2: Build Chorus Double Bass Stamina

Incorporate the double bass patterns introduced during the chorus sections. Practice these lower-limb patterns slowly to develop the coordination and foot endurance required to maintain the driving groove without rushing your hands.

Phase 3: Smooth Out Syncopated Tom Fills

Analyze the prominent single-stroke tom patterns heard in the song's intro and transitions. Work on moving cleanly across the drum kit, focusing on consistent stick height and balanced note spacing.

Phase 4: Execute the Full Song Arrangement

Combine all sections and play along with the full drum transcription. Focus on maintaining maximum physical endurance, dynamic power, and unwavering pocket placement from the opening tom intro to the final crash.

Skills You'll Improve

Developing Heavy Groove Consistency
Double Bass Foot Stamina
Fluid Tom Fill Execution
Mid Tempo Timing Precision
Rock Dynamic Impact Control

Recommended For

This drum notation is recommended for intermediate drummers looking to improve double bass stamina, heavy groove precision, and timing consistency. It is especially valuable for players transitioning into heavy rock and metal who want to master the art of playing with immense power, solid restraint, and deep pocket control.