[INTRO, spoken / whispered, dry, close-mic] [heartbeat kick, low toms] We didn’t learn this… We remembered it. [VERSE 1, fast, clipped, aggressive] Knuckles crack, jaw set, teeth grit Bass hit spine, I don’t think—I twitch No saints here, just sweat and breath Lights strobe like a near-death test I don’t pray, I pound I don’t hope, I howl Every lie they fed me dissolves in the sound Civilized? Nah, that shit’s thin Peel it back—there’s a beast within Heart don’t lie, it just pounds the truth Every kick drum breaking the roof Fuck your rules, fuck your shame Fuck that voice tryna keep me tame I didn’t fall—I shed my skin When the low end hits, I begin [PRE-CHORUS, build, rising tension] Hands in the dirt Blood in the grin If you feel it— LET IT IN [CHORUS, shouted, chantable, crowd-ready] WE HAD DRUMS BEFORE GOD WE HAD FIRE BEFORE LAW WHEN THE BASS HITS MY CHEST I REMEMBER WHAT WE ARE WE HAD TEETH BEFORE NAMES WE HAD RHYTHM BEFORE SHAME TURN THE PAIN INTO SOUND BEAT IT LOUD—BEAT IT LOUD [DROP 1, instrumental notes] [Kick = primal stomp] [Sub = long, breathing growl] [Vocal chops:] “DRUMS—DRUMS—DRUMS” [No melody for first 8 bars] [Then a dark, simple 3-note lead punches in] [VERSE 2, faster, angrier, less structure] No halo, no crown Just sweat dripping down On a floor full of sinners getting holy right now They sold us peace in a plastic cup I smashed that shit when the bass blew up If God’s watching, then turn it loud This is worship through the crowd Bruises bloom like fucking flowers Minutes stretch into animal hours No future plans, no past regret Just breath—just now—just sweat You feel safe when the beat behaves I feel alive when it misbehaves I don’t need saving, I need release Kick drum sermon, four-four preach [BREAK, half-time, call-and-response] Drums! [crowd] BEFORE! God! [crowd] BEFORE! Drums! [crowd] BEFORE! God! [silence for half a beat] [DROP 2, FULL RIOT] [Everything slams back in harder] [Add distorted chant:] “REMEMBER—REMEMBER—REMEMBER” [FINAL CHORUS, bigger, dirtier] WE HAD DRUMS BEFORE GOD WE HAD FIRE BEFORE LAW IF YOU FEEL IT IN YOUR CHEST THAT’S THE TRUTH—THAT’S THE CALL NO FORGIVENESS, NO CONTROL JUST THE RHYTHM IN YOUR BONES WHEN THE LIGHTS FUCKING FALL WE WERE DRUMS BEFORE GOD [OUTRO, breath, heartbeat fading] Still breathing. Still human. Still loud.

Drums Before God