Are You Dead Yet? Drum Setup: Jaska Raatikainen's Gear on Children of Bodom's 2005 Album | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drums did Jaska Raatikainen use on Are You Dead Yet?

On *Are You Dead Yet?* (2005), Jaska Raatikainen transitioned to Pearl Masters Premium Maple drums — his first Pearl album, marking the beginning of an endorsement relationship that would continue through Children of Bodom's career. The setup centered on twin 22" x 18" bass drums, rack toms (10" and 12"), and floor toms (14" and 16"), all in Pearl's six-ply maple construction. This was the beginning of the Pearl Masters era that replaced the Tama Starclassic Maple of *Hate Crew Deathroll* (2003). For Raatikainen's complete gear history, see the [Jaska Raatikainen drummer profile](/drummer/jaska-raatikainen).

What pedals did Jaska Raatikainen use on Are You Dead Yet?

Jaska Raatikainen used the Pearl Eliminator double pedal on *Are You Dead Yet?* (2005) — his transition from the Tama Iron Cobra of the Starclassic era. The Eliminator's interchangeable cam system allowed him to dial in a specific response feel suited to *Are You Dead Yet?*'s more groove-oriented arrangements: controlled beater follow-through for mid-paced patterns, with the capability for full double-kick velocity when tracks like "In Your Face" demanded it. The Pearl Eliminator would remain his pedal choice through the remainder of CoB's career. See the [Jaska Raatikainen full kit guide](/articles/jaska-raatikainen-drum-setup) for his complete pedal history.

What cymbals did Jaska Raatikainen use on Are You Dead Yet?

On *Are You Dead Yet?* (2005), Jaska Raatikainen used Zildjian A Custom and K Custom cymbals — specifically A Custom 14" hi-hats, A Custom crashes (17" and 18"), a K Custom 20" ride, and an A Custom 18" China. This marked the transition from the Paiste 2002 / Sound Edge combination of the *Hate Crew Deathroll* (2003) sessions. The A Custom's multi-stage lathing brought a brighter, more defined character than the Paiste 2002's CuSn8 alloy. For more context on how this setup evolved, see the [Blooddrunk drum setup article](/articles/blooddrunk-drum-setup).

Why is Are You Dead Yet? different from earlier CoB albums?

*Are You Dead Yet?* (2005) represented a deliberate shift in Children of Bodom's approach toward more accessible, groove-centred arrangements — shorter song structures, more mid-paced tempos, and a streamlined production that brought their sound to a wider audience. The album's #56 Finnish chart debut was their commercial peak at the time. For Jaska Raatikainen, this meant adapting his drumming style to serve groove-oriented tracks alongside the high-velocity passages that defined *Follow the Reaper* (2000) and *Hate Crew Deathroll* (2003). The Pearl Masters and Pearl Eliminator setup suited this more varied approach — different tonal character and adjustable cam response compared to the Tama era. See the [Hate Crew Deathroll drum setup article](/articles/hate-crew-deathroll-drum-setup) for comparison.