Rage Against The Machine – Killing In The Name

Killing In The Name drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Brad Wilk's drum part on Rage Against The Machine's “Killing In The Name”, from the album Rage Against The Machine (1992). Every groove and fill is written out exactly as recorded, in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About Killing In The Name drum sheet music

“Killing In The Name” is Rage Against The Machine’s most famous song and one of rock’s best-known protest anthems. In 2009 a fan campaign made it the UK Christmas number one.

Brad Wilk plays a heavy, funky groove with explosive energy, from the famous intro to the furious ending. A must-learn for heavy-rock drummers.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

Every bar of this Killing In The Name drum transcription comes from the original recording. Instead of an approximate groove with a couple of fills, you get the whole drum part – so if you need Killing In The Name drum notes that sound like the record when you play them, this is the version to use.

The sheet music is professionally engraved and easy to read on a music stand or on a tablet. Each part of the song is clearly labelled, and repeats with first- and second-time endings keep the layout compact, so you spend less time turning pages and more time playing.

Song facts

• Artist: Rage Against The Machine
• Album: Rage Against The Machine (1992)
• Drummer: Brad Wilk
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 80
• Style: rap metal

What you get

Your Killing In The Name drum sheet music download includes:

• 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 Killing In The Name on drums

Here is a practice plan that works well for Killing In The Name:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Follow every section.
2. Practise the main groove. Keep it heavy with a metronome.
3. Lock in with the riff. Play the accents with the guitar.
4. Learn the build to the end. Practise the final section for power.
5. Play with the record. Feel the energy.
6. Record yourself. Check your time in the loud parts.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Learning Killing In The Name by ear or from a free tab usually means guessing the details – which fill goes where, what the hi-hat is doing, how a section ends. Accurate sheet music takes the guesswork out: the rhythms are exact, the song structure is clear, and you can focus on playing instead of decoding.

Who is this sheet music for?

Killing In The Name drum sheet music suits intermediate drummers and Rage Against The Machine cover bands.

About Brad Wilk

Brad Wilk co-founded Rage Against The Machine and later played in Audioslave. His heavy, groove-first drumming defines the band’s sound.

More Rage Against The Machine drum sheet music

Other Rage Against The Machine songs in the store: Sleep Now In The Fire, Bombtrack, Take The Power Back and Know Your Enemy. See them all on the Rage Against The Machine drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the complete Killing In The Name drum part?

Yes. The whole song is transcribed note-for-note from the record, including every fill, as heard on Rage Against The Machine.

Is Killing In The Name drum sheet music a tab or real notation?

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

How is the sheet music delivered?

As a PDF download. The link shows up as soon as you complete checkout and is emailed to you as well.

What tempo is Killing In The Name?

Around ♩ ≈ 80 for the main groove.

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