History of subdrops?

[ahjteam]

I was wondering about what started the whole "subdrop" boom that is at wild right now in the metal scene and trying to find out who the fuck started it all. I mean the Roland 808 has been made since 1980 and I bet the electronic music genre has most likely had them almost since day 2, but someone had to start it all on the rock or metal scene.

What is the earliest use of sub drops as an effect in rock or metal music context you can find? I know people have been using explosions and other percussive instruments that make a really low rumbling sound (like on Metallica's Wherever I May Roam, 1991 and Sepultura's Arise, 1991), but what is the earliest example you can find that has a sub drop in it? The earliest example from my own record collection I found with quick browsing was in the intro of Korn's "Blind" (1994) and the second track of Pitchshifter's debut album (1998) and they actually have it as standalone on the last track called "Free Samples"

at 0:32 and 1:45 for example on Korn's Blind



Can anyone find any clip made earlier than 1994? I bet that someone has used them earlier than 14 years after the release of 808.

 

[Skinny Viking]

hmmm, I was gonna say maybe Fear Factory on their "Obsolete" album but that was '95

 

[ahjteam]

hmmm, I was gonna say maybe Fear Factory on their "Obsolete" album but that was '95

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J64hEp63_I

But that definitely is a better example of how it is used nowadays. And Obsolete came out in 1998, Demanufacture came in 1995, but Demanufacture also has subdrops in it.

 

[Skinny Viking]

Thats actually what I was thinking of when I wrote '95 Good catch

Still applies though as you said

 

[ratsapprentice]

1995, about 1:50ish shitty quality but you can hear most of it.

Best use of it in metal:





2:00 mark in that one

Even though they are kinda hard to hear in these shitty quality vids

 

[ahjteam]

Best use of it in metal:

"Best" is highly matter of taste, but history is not. In my opinion Devin Townsend put the subdrops to new heights on Strapping Young Lad's "Alien"; the whole mix ducks and distorts like even 2 seconds after the subdrop

 

[ratsapprentice]

"Best" is highly matter of taste, but history is not.

Goes without saying

 

[Harley Barley]

sub drops i think can be really cool if you use them as an effect like a clap or something funky or experimental.. but people really are ruining it by just throwing it on every god damn break down.

 

[ahjteam]

Actually now that I listened to it again, Metallica's Wherever I May Roam (1991) has something that could be said as a "grandfather" of subdrop... It sounds like Jason Newsted played it bass, but in similar fashion as subdrop is used:

the oriental percussion at 0:00, 0:20 and then the bass version at 0:29 and 0:37 and 2:22




But I wouldn't be surprised if we go back to say some late 80's hair metal band and find a subdrop somewhere there.

 

[Nebulous]

Wherever I may roam was indeed a real bass being struck by Jason in those parts.

 

[SocialNumb]

I don't know who was first to use them but in the underground metal scene in LA dudes where using them and turn tables in the mid 80's. My cousin was in a band that did this. They never made it anywhere and I have no clip.

 

[ahjteam]

I don't know who was first to use them but in the underground metal scene in LA dudes where using them and turn tables in the mid 80's. My cousin was in a band that did this. They never made it anywhere and I have no clip.

And since both Korn and Fear Factory hang out on the california metal scene, I guess that's where it came from?

 

[SocialNumb]

Your guess is as good as mine but sounds plausible. Would be interesting to find out for sure.

 

[EOC]

"Best" is highly matter of taste, but history is not. In my opinion Devin Townsend put the subdrops to new heights on Strapping Young Lad's "Alien"; the whole mix ducks and distorts like even 2 seconds after the subdrop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeG-6bpeUkA

this is the shit! they pushit to the limit!!!! that is what i call having balls!

 

[DanLights]

That Metallica one is actually a 12 string bass IIRC, or something similar. They brought this huge thing in just to strike a couple notes, I think it sounds perfect.

 

[ahjteam]

I noticed something when I was looking into this... Korn clearly just ripped of Fear Factory. Recognice the main riff from some other song? That album came out in 1992.

 

[Charlie E.]

Indeed.

 

[Terminus]

That Metallica one is actually a 12 string bass IIRC, or something similar. They brought this huge thing in just to strike a couple notes, I think it sounds perfect.

That album is so perfectly mixed it's making me thirsty. The shutgun being pump-loaded is cool too.

 

[Wolfeman]

I think Trent was doing sub-drops with NIN in the 80's.

 

[ahjteam]

Plot thickens... Helmet & House of Pain - Just Another Victim. 1993. at 1:30