Blessed Are the Sick Drum Setup: Pete Sandoval's Egyptian Death Metal Evolution | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drum kit did Pete Sandoval use on Blessed Are the Sick?

Pete Sandoval recorded Morbid Angel's second album "Blessed Are the Sick" (1991) on a Tama Superstar kit with dual 22x16 inch bass drums, three rack toms (10, 12, and 13 inch), and two floor toms (14 and 16 inch). This was an expansion of his "Altars of Madness" configuration — the same birch Superstar line but with an added rack tom for the greater melodic range the Egyptian-influenced compositions demanded. The kit was again recorded at Morrisound Recording in Tampa by engineer Scott Burns.

How did Pete Sandoval's drumming evolve between Altars of Madness and Blessed Are the Sick?

Between "Altars of Madness" (1989) and "Blessed Are the Sick" (1991), Pete Sandoval's drumming evolved from single-gear maximum velocity to a full dynamic range. The debut was primarily sustained blast beats at extreme tempos. The sophomore album introduced Egyptian and Arabic musical scale influences, slower ritualistic passages, mid-tempo grooves, and more compositionally complex structures. Pete had to develop genuine musical patience — the ability to build atmosphere and restrain himself — alongside his existing speed. This dynamic expansion made the refined aggression of "Covenant" (1993) possible.

What cymbals did Pete Sandoval use on Blessed Are the Sick?

Pete Sandoval used an expanded Paiste setup on "Blessed Are the Sick" compared to "Altars of Madness." His cymbal configuration included Paiste 2002 14-inch Sound Edge hi-hats, 2002 16 and 18-inch Medium Crashes, a RUDE 17-inch Crash/Ride (new addition), a 2002 20-inch Medium Ride, and a 2002 18-inch China Type. The expanded selection — particularly the added RUDE Crash/Ride — gave Pete more tonal options for the album's wider dynamic range, from atmospheric mid-tempo passages to full blast assault sections.

Why is Blessed Are the Sick important in death metal drumming history?

"Blessed Are the Sick" (1991) is the pivotal transition record in Pete Sandoval's career and in death metal drumming history. It bridges the raw blast supremacy of "Altars of Madness" (1989) with the refined, nuanced power of "Covenant" (1993). By incorporating Egyptian and Middle Eastern rhythmic influences, slower atmospheric passages, and a wider dynamic vocabulary, the album pushed Pete from pure speed specialist to complete death metal drummer. It introduced polyrhythmic patterns and groove-based structures that influenced the entire Tampa death metal scene and created a template for death metal albums that wanted to sound ancient and atmospheric as well as brutal.

Was Blessed Are the Sick recorded with triggers or acoustic drums?

Like "Altars of Madness," "Blessed Are the Sick" was recorded with pure acoustic drums — no triggers. Engineer Scott Burns at Morrisound Recording used the same close-miking philosophy developed for the debut, with AKG D112s on the kick drums, Shure SM57 on the snare, and Sennheiser MD421s on the toms. For 1991, Burns refined the approach slightly: more low-mid body in the kick and toms to accommodate the album's slower, heavier passages, and reduced compression on atmospheric sections to allow natural dynamics. The result sounds heavier than "Altars of Madness" while maintaining the dry, direct character that defined Morrisound's contribution to death metal.