A gallop is a beat or rhythm typically used in metal songs, eighth-sixteenth-sixteenth (), played on the rhythm guitar or drum kit (strum or drum pattern), mostly using a double kick pedal.
The gallop is usually formed around this skeleton:
H- x---x---x---x---| S- ----o-------o---| B- o-ooo-ooo-ooo-oo|Play
This rhythmic figure may be used on palm muted power chords providing accompanimental rhythmic ostinati on the rhythm guitar ( Play example ), and may be heard in the introduction to Deep Purple's "Highway Star", as well as their "Hard Lovin' Man" and Black Sabbath's "Children of the Grave" and "Air Dance". Also Metallica's "Motorbreath" and, more famously, "The Four Horsemen", as well as "Raining Blood" by Slayer The pattern has also been used by groups such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and King Diamond. Variations include triplet gallop rhythms ( Play ).
This pattern has also been used in many non-metal songs. A classic example is the Scott Walker single "Jacky" released in 1967.