George Kollias Drum Setup: Nile's 'At the Gate of Sethu' (2012) Gear Breakdown | MetalForge
George Kollias recorded At the Gate of Sethu (2012) on a Pearl Reference Maple kit with a Pearl Free-Floating Snare snare.
Discover the exact drum kit, cymbals, and pedals George Kollias used on Nile's 'At the Gate of Sethu' (2012) — the album where his Pearl Reference Maple kit,...
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does George Kollias use on At the Gate of Sethu?
On Nile's 'At the Gate of Sethu' (2012, Nuclear Blast), George Kollias played the same Pearl Reference Maple kit he introduced on 'Those Whom the Gods Detest' (2009) — a double 22" kick drum setup, 10/12/14" rack toms, and a 16" floor tom, paired with a Pearl Free-Floating 14" x 6.5" snare. Three additional years of touring had let Kollias refine his tuning and mic preferences on the same platform. For the earlier album's setup, see: [Those Whom the Gods Detest drum setup](/articles/those-whom-the-gods-detest-drum-setup). For his current kit: [George Kollias complete gear breakdown](/articles/whats-in-george-kollias-kit).
What sticks does George Kollias use on At the Gate of Sethu?
'At the Gate of Sethu' (2012) is the album cycle during which George Kollias adopted his Vic Firth SGK George Kollias Signature stick, replacing the standard American Classic 5B he had used on every prior Nile record since 'Annihilation of the Wicked' (2005). The signature stick's extended length and barrel-shaped tip improved his reach across the kit and his articulation on cymbals — a documented gear transition unique to this album in his discography.
What pedals and cymbals does George Kollias use on At the Gate of Sethu?
George Kollias played Pearl Demon Drive double bass drum pedals — the same direct-drive platform from 'Those Whom the Gods Detest' — now at the peak of his familiarity with it, shortly before his collaboration with Pearl on the Demon XR. His cymbal setup was Meinl Byzance series: 14" Medium hi-hats, a 17"/18"/19" crash spread, a 20" Medium ride, and an 18" China. This same Byzance voice carried into 'What Should Not Be Unearthed' (2015) before Kollias's later Zildjian transition.
How does At the Gate of Sethu compare to Those Whom the Gods Detest for drumming?
'At the Gate of Sethu' (2012) largely continues the Pearl Reference Maple and Demon Drive setup George Kollias introduced on 'Those Whom the Gods Detest' (2009), but with three additional years of touring behind it and a newly adopted Vic Firth signature stick. Where the 2009 album introduced the gear, the 2012 record shows it fully matured — greater consistency across a full album runtime and more varied use of gravity blast versus alternating-stroke technique. See the full comparison of Kollias's technical evolution against another extreme-speed specialist: [George Kollias vs Pete Sandoval](/vs/george-kollias-vs-pete-sandoval).
Why is At the Gate of Sethu significant in George Kollias's gear history?
'At the Gate of Sethu' (Nile, 2012) marks the point where every major component of George Kollias's rig — kit, snare, pedals, and sticks — was either his own signature model or a setup fully refined around his technique, following the debut of his Vic Firth SGK signature stick this album cycle. It also closes out the Demon Drive era, shortly before Kollias's Demon XR co-design debuted on 'What Should Not Be Unearthed' (2015), though his Meinl Byzance cymbal voice carried into that album before the later Zildjian transition. For his full drumming profile, see: [George Kollias at MetalForge](/drummer/george-kollias).