Blooddrunk Drum Setup: Jaska Raatikainen's Gear on Children of Bodom's 2008 Album | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drums did Jaska Raatikainen use on Blooddrunk?

On *Blooddrunk* (2008), Jaska Raatikainen used Pearl Masters Premium Maple drums — the same shell configuration established on *Are You Dead Yet?* (2005), now fully settled after three years of touring and studio use. The setup centered on twin 22" x 18" bass drums, rack toms (10" and 12"), and floor toms (14" and 16") in Pearl's six-ply maple construction. For Raatikainen's complete gear history across Children of Bodom's career, see the [Jaska Raatikainen drummer profile](/drummer/jaska-raatikainen).

What pedals did Jaska Raatikainen use on Blooddrunk?

Jaska Raatikainen used the Pearl Eliminator double pedal on *Blooddrunk* (2008) — the same pedal that had debuted on *Are You Dead Yet?* (2005), now fully established. Three years of touring and studio experience with the Eliminator's cam geometry gave Raatikainen complete confidence in the mechanism across *Blooddrunk*'s more demanding double-kick passages, particularly on "Hellhounds on My Trail" and "LoBodomy." See the [Jaska Raatikainen full kit guide](/articles/jaska-raatikainen-drum-setup) for his complete pedal history across CoB's career.

What cymbals did Jaska Raatikainen use on Blooddrunk?

On *Blooddrunk* (2008), Jaska Raatikainen used the established Zildjian A Custom and K Custom configuration — A Custom 14" hi-hats, A Custom crashes (17" and 18"), a K Custom 20" ride, and an A Custom 18" China. This was the same setup as *Are You Dead Yet?* (2005), now deployed in a more aggressive musical context where the A Custom's bright, cutting character suited *Blooddrunk*'s return to higher-velocity playing. For context on the Paiste 2002 era this setup replaced, see the [Hate Crew Deathroll drum setup article](/articles/hate-crew-deathroll-drum-setup).

How does Blooddrunk differ from Are You Dead Yet? in drum approach?

*Blooddrunk* (2008) represents a deliberate return to the aggressive, high-velocity approach of *Follow the Reaper* (2000) and *Hate Crew Deathroll* (2003) after the more commercially accessible, groove-oriented *Are You Dead Yet?* (2005). Double-kick patterns are more sustained and at higher tempos on *Blooddrunk*; blast beats are more prominent; China cymbal deployment is more frequent. The Pearl Masters Premium Maple / Pearl Eliminator setup is identical across both albums — the difference is entirely in how Raatikainen deployed it. For the full arc, see the [Are You Dead Yet? drum setup article](/articles/are-you-dead-yet-drum-setup) and the [Jaska Raatikainen drummer profile](/drummer/jaska-raatikainen).