Blake Richardson's Drum Setup on Between the Buried and Me's Automata II (2018) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drums did Blake Richardson use on Automata II?

Blake Richardson played a Pearl Reference Pure kit on Automata II (2018) — the same all-maple configuration he had used on Automata I (February 2018). The Pearl Reference Pure's all-maple construction delivers a warm, resonant tone suited to Sumerian Records' more layered production. Configuration: double 22"x18" bass drums, three rack toms (10", 12", 13"), and a 16" floor tom. This represented a transition from the DW Collector's Series that had defined Richardson's setup from Alaska (2005) through Coma Ecliptic (2015). Full drummer profile at [Blake Richardson at MetalForge](/drummer/blake-richardson).

What is BTBAM's most recent concept album?

Between the Buried and Me's most recent concept album is the two-part Automata arc — Automata I (February 9, 2018) and Automata II (July 13, 2018), both on Sumerian Records. The two records function as a single conceptual statement about artificial consciousness and digital identity, released in two installments across a single year. Colors II (2021) followed but is a spiritual sequel to Colors (2007) rather than a new standalone concept. The Automata arc closes BTBAM's consecutive concept album sequence: The Parallax II: Future Sequence (2012) → Coma Ecliptic (2015) → Automata I & II (2018). See [Automata I drum setup](/articles/automata-i-drum-setup) for the first half.

How does Automata II complete the Automata concept arc?

Automata II (July 2018) provides the narrative resolution for the artificial consciousness and digital identity story arc that began in Automata I (February 2018). Released five months after the first installment, Automata II was planned and recorded as the arc's conclusion — its four tracks extending the compositional ideas of Automata I into larger, more expansive structural territory. Blake Richardson's drumming on Automata II deploys the same Pearl Reference Pure kit and Meinl Byzance cymbal spread as Automata I, creating a unified sonic arc across both releases. The second installment's more open track structures give Richardson more compositional space than Automata I's tighter arrangements — longer dynamic passages, more atmospheric sections, and extended peaks where his technique can breathe with the music. For the preceding record, see [Coma Ecliptic drum setup](/articles/coma-ecliptic-drum-setup).

What is Blake Richardson's drum setup across both Automata records?

Blake Richardson used an identical setup across both Automata I (February 2018) and Automata II (July 2018), reflecting the two records' status as a single conceptual project. Kit: Pearl Reference Pure, all-maple shells, double 22"x18" bass drums, three rack toms (10", 12", 13"), 16" floor tom. Snare: DW Collector's Series Maple, 14"x6.5". Cymbals: Meinl Byzance 14" Dark Hi-Hats, 17" Extra Dry Thin Crash, 18" Dark Crash, 20" Extra Dry Ride, 10" Dark Splash, 18" China. Hardware: DW 9002 double bass pedal, Pearl rack system, Vic Firth American Classic 5B sticks. The Pearl Reference Pure marked a significant transition from the DW Collector's Series that had defined Richardson's setup from Alaska (2005) through Coma Ecliptic (2015). See [Automata I drum setup](/articles/automata-i-drum-setup) for the companion article.