One of Zach Hill's most defining characteristics as a drummer is his footwork. Many drummers are surprised when they realize that he only uses one bass drum and a single bass drum pedal when he plays. For example, in the song Imaginary Friends from Hella's Church Gone Wild record, Hill employs his characteristic double-stroke bass drum method throughout much of the song, leading many to believe he is using more than one foot to do so, when he is only using his right foot. Zach Hill's set thus far had had generally very low-tuned tom-toms and floor-toms. When playing rhythms back and forth between his bass drum and these tom-toms, it often sounds as if it is all being created by the bass drum. His snare drum sound is often a contrasting highly tuned "crack" sound.
A unique aspect of Zach's style is his liberal use of unconventional sounding cymbals, often referred to as "trash" cymbals. His most commonly and characteristically used trash cymbal consists of broken cymbals (usually between 3 and 4) stacked on top of each other, mounted just to his right of his high tom. This setup produces a harsh sound similar to that of a China cymbal, but with much less sustain. This is easily heard on almost every single Hella release.
In addition Zach has a custom made cymbal with a very warped shape that can be heard on the Holy Smokes album Masculine Drugs (clearly audible starting at 1:36 on the song Masculine Drugs (Tri-Duplex Edit)) the Hella album Church Gone Wild, The Ladies' first album, They Mean Us, and the Zach Hill & Mick Barr album Shred Earthship.
Zach also utilizes complex time signatures into his drumming. Zach has developed these time signatures through playing, and goes by feeling a beat rather than figuring it out "traditionally".
Another notable aspect of Hill's playing is that he is an extremely hard hitter. His equipment tends to wear down very fast due to the combination of the speed and power of his playing, which has been known to break lug casings and bend the top hoops of his drums from the sheer force of his technique.
In addition to music, Zach is also a visual artist. His art has been featured in the packaging to many of his musical releases. One of the most notable examples is his fully illustrated book Destroying Yourself is Too Accessible which included the Zach Hill and Holy Smokes album Masculine Drugs, released in 2004 on TNI books and Suicide Squeeze Records. The cover art of the Hella album The Devil Isn't Red, the artwork to There's No 666 in Outer Space and The Bitches Ain't Shit But Good People EP, and drawings in The Ladies They Mean Us are all credited to Zach; as well as art direction credits on many releases such as Hella's debut full length, Hold Your Horse Is, and their Total Bugs Bunny on Wild Bass EP, and the eponymously titled Nervous Cop record. He receives photography credit in addition to his many musical contributions on the debut Team Sleep album. He has also designed t-shirts and promotional posters for Hella and Team Sleep.
The Sacramento, California art space Fools Foundation ran an exhibition of Zach's art, titled Poltergeist, from April 1 to April 29 in 2006. Parts of the exhibit are visible in the photos accompanying Zach's article in the August 2006 issue of Modern Drummer and on the Fools Foundation.
Dark Art
Zach Hill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's where the world is
That's where everyone lives
Where you shave your head
Send the text
Channel the dead
Fight or flight
Fight or flight
You can't tell wrong from right
We didn't know what we thought we know
Oh oh oh
Ah ah ego come ego go
Leader of the theater of the dark arts
Was outside of her arena
She was smoking drugs
Playing with bugs
We acted like we'd never seen her
Fight or flight
I can't tell wrong from right
Fight or flight
You can't tell wrong from right
Behind your face
That's where the world is
That's where everyone lives
Behind the face
That's where the world is
That's where everyone lives
Behind your face
That's where the world is
That's where you've done what you did
Fight or flight
You can't tell wrong from right
Fight or flight
I can't tell wrong from right
We didn't know what we thought we know
Oh oh oh
Ah ah ego come ego go
We didn't know what we thought we know
Oh oh oh
Ah ah ego come ego go
I didn't know what i thought i know
Oh oh oh
Ah ah ego come ego go
We didn't know what we thought we know
Oh oh oh
Ah ah ego come ego go
Ah ah ego go
Ah ah ego go
The lyrics of Zach Hill's song "Dark Art" explore the concept of identity and the idea that beneath the surface of our physical appearance and everyday actions, there is a complex and often chaotic world of thoughts, feelings, and motivations. The first verse describes how even the simple act of shaving one's head or sending a text message is rooted in a deeper, more intricate reality. The reference to "channeling the dead" suggests that this internal world is not just a product of the present moment but also influenced by past experiences and memories.
The chorus of the song is centered around the idea of "fight or flight," a primal response to stress or danger. The singer is struggling to discern right from wrong and seems to be overwhelmed by the intensity of their emotions. This sense of uncertainty is underscored by the repetition of the chorus and the fact that the perspective switches from "I" to "you" and back again.
The second verse introduces a character referred to as the "leader of the theater of the dark arts." This person is depicted as being outside of her arena, smoking drugs and playing with bugs. The singer and others around them act as if they have never seen her before, suggesting a disconnect between how we present ourselves and who we really are. The mention of the "dark arts" also implies a sense of danger or mystery lurking beneath the surface.
Overall, "Dark Art" is a meditation on the complexity of human nature and the struggle to reconcile our inner selves with the outward appearance we present to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Behind your face
The true nature of a person lies beneath their surface level appearance
That's where the world is
The inner world of an individual, such as their thoughts and emotions, is where their true self lies
That's where everyone lives
All people have an internal world that they reside in, whether they acknowledge it or not
Where you shave your head
The action of shaving one's head is symbolic of change or transformation, possibly referring to a personal journey or awakening
Send the text
This line could potentially refer to communication or expression, either literally sending a message or putting oneself out into the world
Channel the dead
This line is difficult to interpret without context, but could signify summoning spiritual entities or accessing the unspoken parts of consciousness
Fight or flight
The primal instinct to either face danger head on or run away from it
I can't tell wrong from right
The artist is possibly disoriented or lacking clarity in their perception of danger or what actions to take in a given situation
You can't tell wrong from right
Another person is also struggling with interpreting danger in their environment
We didn't know what we thought we know
The artist and possibly others in their shared experience were operating under a false sense of knowledge or understanding
Ah ah ego come ego go
The ego, or sense of self, has a fluctuating presence
Leader of the theater of the dark arts
There is possibly a person or entity that presides over practices that are considered taboo or forbidden
Was outside of her arena
This leader figure deviated from their usual area of control or expertise
She was smoking drugs
This person was consuming substances that alter consciousness or perception
Playing with bugs
This line could be interpreted literally or figuratively, but it could possibly refer to an affinity for the macabre, the unknown, or the dangerous
We acted like we'd never seen her
This group of people reacted as if they had no prior familiarity with this figure or what they represent
That's where you've done what you did
This line likely refers back to the earlier lines about the true nature of a person being beneath the surface, indicating that actions that may not be visible on the outside are still a part of a person's experience
Contributed by Kaylee K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
kuszynier
Behind your face
That's where the world is
That's where everyone lives
Where you shave your head
Send the text
Channel the dead
Fight or flight
I can't tell wrong from right
Fight or flight
You can't tell wrong from right
We didn't know what we thought we know
Oh oh oh
Ah ah ego come ego go
Leader of the theater of the dark arts
Was outside of her arena
She was smoking drugs
Playing with bugs
We acted like we'd never seen her
Fight or flight
I can't tell wrong from right
Fight or flight
You can't tell wrong from right
Behind your face
That's where the world is
That's where everyone lives
Behind the face
That's where the world is
That's where everyone lives
Behind your face
That's where the world is
That's where you've done what you did
Fight or flight
You can't tell wrong from right
Fight or flight
I can't tell wrong from right
We didn't know what we thought we know
Oh oh oh
Ah ah ego come ego go
We didn't know what we thought we know
Oh oh oh
Ah ah ego come ego go
I didn't know what i thought i know
Oh oh oh
Ah ah ego come ego go
We didn't know what we thought we know
Oh oh oh
Ah ah ego come ego go
Ah ah ego go
Ah ah ego go
XTHEKEVINATORX
Varg fleeing after killing euronymous
Rory Killian
Hahaha!!! Heehee!!!!!!!!
Alpha Lax
Hahahaahahahahahaahahahahaahahahaha
Basuratrashing
Hahahahaha
Martin Fernandez
HahahahHha
SquareStepUp
Haha
largecat
this is literally one of the most beautiful songs i've ever heard
Poopy Joe
yeah man i first heard it back in 2017 and i always come back to it every few months and it absolutely floors me every time
Hillroad
I want to hug Zach and never let go.
Alpha Lax
Gay