Chris Turner's Drum Setup on Oceans Ate Alaska's 'Hikari' (2017) | MetalForge
Chris Turner recorded Hikari (2017) on a Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch kit with a Tama S.L.P. G-Maple snare.
The drum setup Chris Turner used to record Oceans Ate Alaska's 2017 breakthrough 'Hikari' — Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch, Meinl Byzance Extra Dry cymbals, an...
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit did Chris Turner use on Oceans Ate Alaska's 'Hikari'?
Chris Turner recorded 'Hikari' (2017) on a Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch kit configured with a 22" bass drum, 10" and 12" rack toms, and a single 16" floor tom. The hybrid maple/birch shell construction was chosen to serve an album that swings between aggressive, blast-driven tracks like 'Covert' and melodic, near-ambient passages like 'Veridical' — the same kit and configuration Turner has used ever since. For his current touring setup, see the [Chris Turner drummer profile](/drummer/chris-turner).
Why did 'Hikari' make Chris Turner's drumming go viral?
Fearless Records' official music videos for 'Hansha' and 'Escapist' — tracks four and eleven on 'Hikari' — gave viewers an unobstructed drum-camera view of Turner's polyrhythmic kick superimposition and velocity-even double bass technique, respectively. Both videos accumulated millions of views and are widely credited with building Turner's international audience beyond Oceans Ate Alaska's existing metalcore fanbase. Full technique breakdowns: [Hansha](/drummers/chris-turner/licks/chris-turner-hansha-polyrhythm) and [Escapist](/drummers/chris-turner/licks/chris-turner-escapist-double-bass) at MetalForge.
Who produced Oceans Ate Alaska's 'Hikari'?
'Hikari' was produced by Nick Sampson and released July 28, 2017 on Fearless Records, recorded during 2016 and 2017. The album's title is the Japanese word for 'light,' reflecting its fusion of aggressive progressive metalcore with melodic, occasionally Japanese-influenced instrumental writing, most audible on the title track and the interlude 'Veridical.'
What pedal did Chris Turner use for 'Escapist'?
Chris Turner used the Tama Speed Cobra 910 double pedal on 'Escapist,' the closing track from 'Hikari.' Its Duo-Glide dual-chain drive and Spring-Loaded Cam Plate eliminate the mechanical flex and slack that would otherwise undermine the velocity-even double bass technique the track requires — both feet striking with identical force and timing at roughly 170 BPM. For more on his gear: [Chris Turner drum setup at MetalForge](/articles/chris-turner-drum-setup).
How does 'Hikari' compare to Oceans Ate Alaska's 'Disparity'?
'Hikari' (2017) established the core techniques — polyrhythmic kick superimposition and velocity-even double bass — that Turner would push further on 'Disparity' (2022), particularly on the track 'Metamorph,' which layers blast beats into shifting 7/8, 5/4, and 4/4 passages. The gear stayed essentially consistent between the two records: the same Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch kit and Meinl Byzance Extra Dry cymbal philosophy carried through both albums. See the [Chris Turner drum setup overview](/articles/chris-turner-drum-setup) for the full gear arc.