Reviews of Flo Mounier's Extreme Metal Drumming 101 DVD

[PearlMaster]

WOW!!! Great stuff Flo.....good detailed descriptions, great camera angles, well filmed and of top quality. The amount of live footage is great and i still havent gotten through it all but i'd like to comend you on your speedy delivery. I got it in under a week when the international shipping was quoted as taking 2 weeks!! Once again, great stuff man.....hope youve got bigger and better things in the pipeline!

[Cryptopsy]

Flo Mounier's Extreme Metal Drumming 101 2xDVD
By Connor T. (aka. Distal Sonority)

Read the review on www.extremedrumming.net by clicking here (http://www.extremedrumming.net/reviews.php?subaction=showfull&id=1133755578&archive=&start_from=&ucat=3&)

Where to begin?

There are so many things to comment on within this DVD set...so I suppose the first should be just that. Quite extensive. The ground covered here makes many other drum DVD's of it's caliber seem thin and short, and this is a metal drumming video at that. At last.

I have to applaud the production value of this DVD. Extremely professional. The camera angles are superb, throughout the extent of the video, allowing an up close and personal view of Flo's playing, making the advice on technique more notable on the first viewing, without having to guess what he's doing. The drum production is clean, full, and punchy. The live footage is highly energetic, and again, with a great bird's eye view of Flo and his monster of a kit. The menus and video interludes are quite impressive, and lastly, the Nasum shirt warms the soul.

The first disc is the instructional portion of the set. After a simple and to the point introduction, we head into the chapters, beginning with; foot and hand exercises, technique, warm up routines, stretching and exercise tips, speed, endurance, and control exercises, and the crown jewel, the Grind Library. A title so mighty it deserves an echo. Covered here are grind beats, blast beats, and the ever popular gravity blast. Each section is covered in great length and detail. The time is taken to show the watcher set-up ideas, leg angle and throne heights, and there's even a section covering head tension. Practically every warm up routine you can imagine is demonstrated, including a detailed stretching segment (something you won't find on most drum DVD's) performed by Flo. A side note, this portion is hilarious. Bonus points for the Suzanne Somers' Thighmaster reference. I wonder how much shit he caught from the band after that was filmed.

The second disc is the performance portion. Included here are several live Cryptopsy videos, a few solos, pre-production videos of the recording of Once Was Not, soundchecks, Adrenaline TV Documentary, Cryptopsy rehearsals of Phobophile and Cold Hate, Warm Blood, and the credits, coupled with a blooper reel if you will, of the filming of this DVD.

All in all, I'd recommend it to any drummer looking to expand their playing, metal or not. It's thorough and informative, what more could you ask for in an instructional DVD...besides a second disc full of extras of course. I know I'll be incorporating some of the lessons shared in my future practices.

Get it.

[Wakeness]

I'm Impressed. It's obvious that Flo put a lot of thought into this DVD. His attitude is excellent, as it always is even in person. The quality is top notch as far as production and explanations go. Another thing I like about it that the DVD isn't rushed. He takes his time explaining the technique and doesn't just hammer through everything. He put effort into covering all the bases (For example; leg angles, knee angles, pedal and bass drum positioning, etc) A must buy for anyone looking for the right advise for extreme metal drumming. Not to mention that I typed this review and I still haven't had a chance to get through the whole disc. I have to watch the grind library still!
Great job Flo. Definately worth the money. One thing that I wish was covered a little is triggering, module settings and all that shit, because like it or not, Triggering Bass drums has become a standard in DM drumming.
Buy this DVD!

[Cloaca]

Grind Library? I couldn't find that on the first disc, unfortuneately it's at a friend's house at the moment so I can't check it out. Which section is it in??

[Wakeness]

It's on disc one. There are TWO pages on the disc for menus. If I remember right, I thing the next page button is on the bottom right corner of the screen.

[cacophony]

The DVD was laid out. And it's a good dvd for going over slowly and doing aswell, i think he put the right songs in there too.
I've only been learning drums 6 months, and my drum teacher is saying my double pedal technique is sweet. Thats a good sign.
Disc 2 is farking awesome aswell, i guess i use it something to motivate me when i feel like i'm not improving.
I think it's a kickass dvd for people looking at getting into Extreme metal, or even any drummer looking at doing double pedal. Definately worth the money i paid.
And thanx for the hand flo :D

[mvikred]

the feet excercises shown are amazing .... i do them everytime now ... in the classroom , in the room , anywhere i sit ... and i get a decent burn .... totally amazing .and the solos on disc 2 are something to draw inspiration from. if i were to review it .. i would give a 9/10 ..... only losing out a bit on the production front .... but everything in the disc is simply superb

[DemonsDebason]

I got the DVD recetly, It fucking rules.Just too bad that there's not more rehersal song and/or more new stuff from OWN!!!
Everything elese rules. Flo, you are the MAN!!!

[Azathoth]

Even though I'm a bass player and not a drummer, I think I'm going to pick this one up.

[Cryptopsy]

Link: The Adversary (http://www.theadversary.org/home/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=31)

TRACK LISTING:
Disk One: Instructional
Disk Two: Performance

RELEASE DATE: 2005

First off I'm going to say this... unless your a drummer or wanting to be one, not sure if this set is going to keep your attention. Recognize the name? Yep. Cryptopsy's drummer has put out a 2 DVD set of instructional and performance clips, dating back to 2003. Disc 1 is the instructional disc, and is informative in my opinion. From foot and hand techniques, set up and head tension, to even some song rehearsals with different angles; it is worth watching... The 2nd disc has a lot on it as well. This is the performance stuff, and all of it is sick as fuck. 4 solos, 7 live songs, "Once Was Not" studio footage, and even a Canadian TV show clip. Doesn't sound like a lot, but it fucking kept me watching. Songs from "None So Vile", "Whisper Supremacy", "...And Then You'll Beg" and "Once Was Not"; there is a good selection of songs to check out. Some DVD-Rom stuff is in this as well. If your an aspiring drummer, or have been playing for years; I do recommend this. Kinda pricey, but for 2 DVDs and a lot of sick fucking techniques; you should fucking get this...period.

Added: January 1st 2006
Reviewer: Bones

[matt_silenced]

just a quick(ish) note to talk about "THE" dvd. Firstly i would like to thank you guys for the prompt del to australia. it got here in about 13 days (yes, i was counting).
Now, im a guitarist that has a huge interest in drums. i play guitar in a metal band and as soon as i stumbled across this dvd i knew that i had to order it, drums is my second fav instrument. i am starting to learn how to play and this dvds first disc is a great guide on what it takes to be a metal drummer. The exercises are well explained and flo doesnt confuse with the way he outlays things. The footage is mindblowing and me and my friend (the drummer in our band) sat there last night just blowing out at some of the shit that was coming from flo and his kit. The rehearsal footage is great (spewing the guitarists arent really shown (ha). The grind library is a highlight for anyone wanting to learn the fundamentals of blasting.(who doesnt)

Now disc 2 will appeal to absolutley anyone who is in to CRYPTOPSY as it shows a bunch of songs live from behind the kit and a great instrumental performance at some drum show with stuff from Once was not. The highlight on this dvd for me was the song "we bleed"...fuckin fantastic and a little faster than normal...just awesome. Cold hate, warm blood was a close second.

IN CONCLUSION...The sound is great, the layout is great, the variety is great, Cryptopsy are great, Flo is an amazing drummer (one of the best ive heard and now seen) and this dvd is certainly worth the money to anyone who has an interest in metal drumming or metal music in general.

\m/att.

[Cryptopsy]

http://community-2.webtv.net/wretchedproductions/MULTIMEDIA/

[Cryptopsy]

From www.spacejunkies.net (http://www.spacejunkies.net)

I'll admit since I'm not a musician, I don't own a lot of instructional videos. I have a couple here and there with the likes of Rusty Cooley and John Petrucci for example but this is my first drumming one and man, is this guy incredible. Cryptopsy, from Canada, is considered one of death metal’s most intricate, technical and most extreme bands on the planet. FLO MOUNIER is the maniacal drummer from this band that has put out this 2-disc set. Disc 1 is mainly the warm-ups and techniques disc, showing variations and different speeds of how to get the timing and repetition down until you build up strength to deliver precision and speed. You also get some multi-angles of his rehearsal, info on his gear and technical stuff on set up and head tension. Disc 2 is mostly performances at various expos, exhibits and clinics from back in 2003 on up to present day. You will also see a duet with drummer Ange Curcio, a pre-production and actual version of "Once Was Not" and a few other live songs. Both discs put together make this over 3 hours of watching, learning, listening and enjoying. Even if you’re not into death metal, this DVD is still a good learning tool. [SavaLegions]

[Zander]

Just ordered it about a week ago and I can't wait for it to get here!!

[Cryptopsy]

Click here to read a review from The Metal Observer (9/10) (http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=7&id=9715)

[Cryptopsy]

Metal4Life review (http://s14.invisionfree.com/Metal4Life/index.php?showtopic=1606&hl=)

[Cryptopsy]

Decibel Magazine Review by Matthew Widener (http://www.decibelmagazine.com/reviews/may2006/flomounier.aspx)

Flo Mounier
Extreme Metal Drumming 101
Self-released

Rocket from the Cryptopsy

I’ve looked for stray wires and android plumbing poking from Flo Mounier’s joints, but they’ve cleverly CGed them off his new instructional two-disc DVD. Impressing the metal world with his machinelike perfection in Cryptopsy, Mounier now spills the drumming secrets that put the “holy fuck!” in “technical.” What you get are his foot and hand techniques, from ankle pivots to finger fulcrums; his warm-up and stretching routines (bonus points for Mounier rolling on the floor with rope drills); his speed and endurance exercises (the double stroke is the key, we learn); and the Grind Library: his repertoire of blast beats.

The production is solid, and the handsome menus are easily navigated. Mounier works patiently and seems affable—don’t be fooled, it’s just his cyborg programming—but some of the technical leaps might frustrate: basic exercises are suddenly flourished with virtuosity, and the neophyte will cry, how do I do that?! Being a beginner’s course, some students might find inspiration in the teasing, others might roundhouse kick their televisions. No matter what your skill level, it’s a treat to hear Mounier in a more intimate setting, where the natural acoustics of his kit are unmarred by triggers, and his beats—though jaw-dropping—seem distantly attainable.

The performance disc features live Cryptopsy footage from behind the kit where we see the basics applied within the music, but its crown jewel is an art installation drum solo: an impressive textural landscape so organic and hypnotic that you wonder why Mounier even plays with other musicians.

Drummers looking to shred like Flo, take note: many of your questions are answered in this DVD set; many more arise. Consider this the journey of the death metal drummer. And consider Extreme Metal Drumming 101 your bible.

Matthew Widener

[Blasphemous_Witchery]

Does he go into his weird hand technique that's some weird variation of finger blasting?..Or rather, does he go into good techniques for finger blasting itself?

[ShadowFactoryX]

its called finger control, he doesnt go into depth with it as i've seen other instructors do, but he goes over a basic idea

now he may not be the best explainer
but that man is the reason i started drumming, he's pretty much a legend amongst all metal drummers, and those that arent still are amazed at his inhuman abilities
this dvd shows that, the solos are outstanding
thank you flo, and all that helped in the production of this
amazing work

[Blasphemous_Witchery]

I'll definitely check it out then. I always hear a lot by him but, I guess I've never really been like, "Wow!". It's something I have to see only because, it's hard to decipher a lot of it with his setup, or I feel that way. He has a lot of hype behind him and I'm sure there is reason for it, hopefully this can give me better insight and in turn I can also learn a bit.