Metallica – Fade To Black

Fade To Black drum sheet music – a note-for-note transcription of Lars Ulrich’s drum part on Metallica’s “Fade To Black”, from the album Ride The Lightning (1984). Every groove, fill and cymbal hit is written out from the original recording in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About the drum part

“Fade To Black” from Ride The Lightning was Metallica’s first power ballad, and it takes the drummer on a journey – from gentle, sparse playing to a heavy, driving finale. The chart shows three different tempo markings.

The intro opens with sparse hits and a crash before the tempo drops to about 55 bpm, with bass drum and crash hits and fast triplet fills. The verses are built on a sixteenth-note hi-hat groove with cymbal accents on the beat, choked crashes and quick snare fills. The choruses get busier, with triplet fills and more movement around the kit.

What’s in the Fade To Black drum sheet music

This Fade To Black drum sheet music shows every tempo change, every choked crash and every fill, with labelled sections (intro, verses, choruses and solo) and numbered endings.

Looking for Fade To Black drum tabs? This is full drum notation on a five-line staff, so it shows the exact rhythm of every note – something tabs can’t do.

Song facts

• Artist: Metallica
• Album: Ride The Lightning (1984)
• Drummer: Lars Ulrich
• Tempo: changes (≈ 110 / 55 / 70)
• Time signature: 4/4, with a 2/4 bar
• Style: Metal ballad
• Level: Intermediate to advanced

What you get

• The full song, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording
• Clearly labelled song sections
• Professionally engraved, print-ready PDF
• Instant download after purchase

How to practise Fade To Black on drums

Once you have the Fade To Black drum sheet music, here is a good way to learn it:

1. Learn each tempo. Practise each section at its own tempo with a metronome.
2. Keep the sixteenths light. The verse hi-hat should be even and not too loud.
3. Practise the triplet fills. Count “1-trip-let” and keep the fills in time.
4. Watch the choke marks. Stop the crash with your hand exactly where it is marked.

Reading tips for this chart

• Open and closed hi-hat are marked with a small “o” (open) and “+” (closed) above the note. The timing of the openings is part of the groove, so follow them closely.
• First- and second-time endings show which bars to play on each pass of a repeat. Play the bracket marked “1.” the first time and skip to “2.” the next time.
• Choked cymbals are marked “choke”. Hit the cymbal and grab it straight away with your other hand so the sound stops short.
• Time-signature changes are written exactly where they happen. When a new one appears, count the smallest note value (eighths or sixteenths) until it feels natural.
• Section labels in boxes (such as I, V1, C1) name each part of the song – intro, verse, chorus and so on – so you can find your place quickly.

Who is it for?

This Fade To Black drum sheet music is for intermediate to advanced drummers who want to learn a Metallica classic with tempo changes, dynamics and busy fills.

More Metallica drum sheet music

You might also like Ride The Lightning, The Unforgiven, Nothing Else Matters, and the rest of the Metallica drum sheet music collection.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Fade To Black drum sheet music the full song?

Yes. It is the complete drum part, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording on Ride The Lightning. Nothing is simplified.

Is it a drum tab or real notation?

It is real drum notation, the standard way drum parts are written. If you are used to tabs, it is worth the switch – notation shows rhythm exactly, which tabs can’t.

How do I get the PDF after I buy?

The download link appears straight after checkout and is also sent to your email. You can print the PDF or read it on a tablet.

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