Heavy metal gallop

A gallop is a beat or rhythm typically used in traditional heavy metal songs.

[1] It is created by playing an eighth note followed by two sixteenth notes (),[2] usually on rhythm guitar, drums, or bass.

One technique on guitar involves strumming palm muted power chords in an up-and-down motion with a pick, thereby creating an ostinato.

[6] On drums, the technique often uses a double kick pedal.

A typical drum gallop is formed around this skeleton: Several early examples are variations on the pattern that do not strictly use the "eighth note followed by two sixteenth notes", but nonetheless have been identified as gallops.