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Of Monsters And Men - Drum Sheet Music
Of Monsters and Men are an Icelandic indie folk band formed in 2010, rising to international prominence with their debut album My Head Is an Animal (2011). Known for their lush, anthemic sound blending indie pop and folk, the band became one of Iceland's most celebrated musical exports, earning widespread acclaim for emotionally expansive arrangements and rich ensemble dynamics.
Drummer Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson anchors the band's layered sonic textures with a restrained yet purposeful approach, balancing driving rhythmic momentum with the delicate sensitivity demanded by the band's folk-infused songwriting. His drumming prioritizes feel and dynamics over complexity, serving the song's atmosphere while providing a steady, grounding pulse beneath the band's signature dual-vocal harmonies.
Drumming Style & Techniques
- Dynamic control — shifting between soft, brush-like restraint in verse sections and full, open kit playing in anthemic choruses
- Steady, mid-tempo groove patterns that anchor folk and indie pop song structures
- Emphasis on cymbal work and ride patterns to maintain textural momentum across long build sections
- Minimalist kick and snare patterns that support vocal-forward arrangements without overplaying
- Gradual crescendo drumming techniques, building energy across extended song outros and climactic ensemble swells
My Head Is An Animal (2011)
My Head Is An Animal is the debut studio album by Icelandic indie folk band Of Monsters and Men, released in Iceland in September 2011 and in North America on April 3, 2012 through Universal Music Group. The album became a major breakthrough for the band after their debut single "Little Talks" topped the Icelandic charts, bringing their expansive, anthemic sound to a global audience. Blending indie folk with orchestral pop sensibilities, the record established Of Monsters and Men as one of the most distinctive voices in early 2010s alternative music.
The drumming on My Head Is An Animal serves the album's wide-open, cinematic atmosphere, favoring driving rhythmic momentum and dynamic contrast over technical complexity. Drum parts shift effectively between restrained, understated grooves in quieter passages and powerful, full-kit builds that propel the album's signature anthemic crescendos.
Drumming Highlights
- Anthemic build-ups featuring gradual dynamic swell from sparse kick and snare patterns into full-kit driving grooves, particularly prominent on "Little Talks"
- Use of restrained, brush-friendly folk rhythms in quieter verse sections that contrast sharply with hard-hitting chorus hits
- Steady, march-like kick drum patterns that reinforce the band's characteristic forward momentum and communal energy
- Cymbal work that emphasizes open hi-hat and crash accents to support the album's layered, atmospheric sound design
- Simple but effective snare backbeats that anchor the band's dual-vocal arrangements without overcomplicating the rhythmic texture
Beneath The Skin (2015)
Beneath the Skin is the second studio album by Icelandic indie folk band Of Monsters and Men, released in June 2015. The record marked a significant artistic evolution for the band, expanding their sound into darker, more atmospheric territory while maintaining the anthemic, layered textures that defined their debut. It was widely recognized as one of the standout indie releases of 2015, appearing on numerous year-end best-of lists.
The drumming on Beneath the Skin is characterized by restrained, dynamic playing that serves the album's sweeping, cinematic arrangements, with careful attention to building tension and releasing energy at key moments. The drum parts balance understated indie folk sensibility with driving indie rock power, making them both accessible to intermediate drummers and rewarding to study in detail.
Drumming Highlights
- Expansive use of cymbal swells and slow builds that create atmosphere before transitioning into full kit grooves
- Ghost notes on the snare used to add texture beneath sparse, open verses without overwhelming the folk instrumentation
- Dynamic shifts between brushed playing and full stick work, reflecting the album's contrast between intimate and anthemic passages
- Driving eighth-note hi-hat patterns anchoring the more uptempo indie rock moments on the record
- Deliberate use of space and minimalism, with restrained kick and snare patterns that emphasize the ensemble's layered vocal and melodic elements
Fever Dream (2019)
Fever Dream is the third studio album by Icelandic indie folk band Of Monsters and Men, released on 26 July 2019 through Republic Records. A bold sonic departure from the band's acoustic roots, the album leans into synthpop textures and electronic production, co-produced with Rich Costey, marking a significant evolution in the band's sound. Its release was met with widespread attention as a testament to the band's willingness to reinvent themselves within the indie pop landscape.
The drumming on Fever Dream reflects the album's hybrid identity, blending organic acoustic kit playing with electronic percussion programming to support the band's shift toward synthesizer-driven arrangements. Drum parts are crafted to complement expansive, layered soundscapes, often prioritizing groove, dynamics, and rhythmic space over technical complexity.
Drumming Highlights
- Integration of electronic drum samples alongside live kit playing, creating a layered percussive texture consistent with the album's synthpop direction
- Restrained, groove-focused snare and kick patterns that leave space for synthesizer and vocal layers to breathe
- Dynamic shifts between sparse, minimalist percussion in verses and fuller, driving rhythmic sections in choruses
- Use of programmed rhythmic elements that mirror the laptop-based production approach central to the album's creation
- Consistent use of steady, mid-tempo grooves that anchor the atmospheric and often epic-sounding arrangements throughout the record
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