Ashes of the Wake Drum Setup: Chris Adler's Groove Metal Masterpiece | MetalForge
Chris Adler recorded Ashes of the Wake (2004) on a Mapex Pro M Series kit with a Mapex Black Panther Maple snare.
Complete breakdown of Chris Adler's drum gear on Lamb of God's Ashes of the Wake. The Mapex kit, Meinl cymbals, and techniques that defined groove metal drum...
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit did Chris Adler use on Ashes of the Wake?
Chris Adler recorded Lamb of God's Ashes of the Wake in 2004 on a Mapex Pro M Series kit. The configuration included dual 22x18 inch bass drums, 10 and 12 inch rack toms, and 14 and 16 inch floor toms, all built with all-maple shells featuring SONIClear bearing edges. His snare was a Mapex Black Panther Maple at 14x5.5 inches. The Pro M Series delivered the punchy, articulate tone needed to drive Lamb of God's aggressive, groove-metal rhythmic attack.
What cymbals did Chris Adler use on Ashes of the Wake?
Chris Adler used Meinl Byzance cymbals throughout Ashes of the Wake. His setup included 13 inch Byzance Traditional hi-hats, Byzance crashes from 18 to 20 inches, a 21 inch Byzance Traditional Medium Ride, Byzance 18 and 20 inch Chinas, and a 10 inch Splash. The Byzance series is handcrafted in Turkey and known for its warm, dark, and complex tonal response, which gave Adler's playing a rich, musical quality that set Lamb of God apart from their peers at the time.
How much did Chris Adler's Ashes of the Wake drum kit cost?
At the time of recording in 2004, the Mapex Pro M Series kit was priced at approximately $2,500 to $3,500, with the Mapex Black Panther snare adding $350 to $450. The Meinl Byzance cymbal setup would have cost $1,500 to $2,500. Today, used Mapex Pro M kits sell for $800 to $1,800, making this one of the more affordable setups to replicate among high-profile metal drummers from that era.