Tigran Hamasyan is headed back out on the road this spring, and this time, he’ll be joined by one of the most talked-about drummers in modern music. Matt Garstka, best known for his work with Animals As Leaders, is set to join Hamasyan’s trio for a string of European shows starting this April. The pairing brings together two artists from very different worlds, and the result is already drawing attention well beyond the jazz and fusion crowd.
Before we continue, let’s take a moment to appreciate Matt’s insane coordination around this kit. Take a look:
Hamasyan’s music has never been easy to pin down. One moment he’s weaving ancient Armenian melodies into dense piano phrases, the next he’s breaking into angular rhythms that sound closer to math rock than anything you’d expect from a concert hall. He’s built a reputation on that unpredictability, and Garstka looks like a natural fit for the next evolution of that sound.
Garstka, coming from a background rooted in progressive metal, is no stranger to complexity. His drumming blends explosive technique with feel, and fans have watched him push the limits of groove and meter in ways that still connect on an emotional level. While his profile has largely grown in heavier music spaces, he’s long shown interest in other corners of music, and this collaboration gives him a whole new context to explore.
The tour will include stops in Berlin, Vienna, London, Prague, and several other cities across the continent throughout April and May. They’ll be performing as a trio, with Evan Marien on bass. Marien’s melodic style and tone-first approach should round out the group’s sound without crowding it, letting both Hamasyan and Garstka stretch out where it counts.
Rehearsals for the tour have already begun, and while no full setlist has been shared, it’s likely the shows will feature reworked material from Hamasyan’s past albums, shaped by the new lineup. Those familiar with Mockroot or The Call Within may hear familiar themes take on a different edge, especially with Garstka’s rhythmic input.
The venues are a mix of intimate concert halls and mid-size theaters, which makes sense given the dynamic range of the music. It’s the kind of setting where the quieter details won’t get lost, and the heavier moments will still hit with force.
This marks the first official tour the two artists have done together, but if early response is anything to go by, it won’t be the last. Both musicians have reputations for pushing their boundaries, and this tour seems to be another step in that direction.
Tickets are already on sale, and considering the rare nature of this lineup, they may not last long.