Opeth Damnation Drum Setup: Martin Lopez's 2003 Progressive Rock Gear | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drum kit did Martin Lopez use on Opeth's Damnation (2003)?

Martin Lopez recorded Opeth's Damnation (2003) using a Sonor Designer Series kit — the same kit he used simultaneously for the companion album Deliverance, and the same kit he'd played since Blackwater Park. His configuration included a 22" x 18" bass drum, 10" and 12" rack toms, and 14" and 16" floor toms. For Damnation's acoustic, progressive rock context, the kit was tuned with more resonance and looser heads than the tight, attack-focused configuration used on Deliverance. Lopez used the same Sabian HH Hand Hammered cymbals throughout, played with a much lighter touch than on Deliverance to bring out their darker, warmer character.

What cymbals did Martin Lopez use on Opeth's Damnation?

Martin Lopez used Sabian HH (Hand Hammered) cymbals on Opeth's Damnation — the same complement he used from Blackwater Park (2001) through Deliverance, played with a much lighter touch to bring out their darker, more complex character. His Damnation setup included Sabian HH 14" Regular Hi-Hats, a 16" HH Medium Crash, an 18" AAX Stage Crash, a 20" HH Medium Ride, and a 10" HH Splash. The HH series' hand-hammered character produced a warm, complex tone that blended with Damnation's acoustic instruments rather than cutting above them.

Did Martin Lopez use brushes on Opeth's Damnation?

Yes — Martin Lopez used drum brushes extensively on Damnation, marking the first time brush technique appeared as a primary voice in an Opeth recording. On tracks like "Death Whispered a Lullaby" and portions of "Windowpane," Lopez sustained full groove patterns using only wire brushes on his Sonor Designer snare head, creating textural percussion that suited the album's intimate acoustic production. This brush technique capability revealed the depth of Lopez's jazz training and distinguished him from metal drummers who had no need to develop softer playing vocabulary.

Who produced Opeth's Damnation and how does the drum sound differ from Deliverance?

Opeth's Damnation was produced by Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), recorded simultaneously with Deliverance at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg during 2002. The drum sound on Damnation differs dramatically from Deliverance despite using the same kit: Wilson incorporated Studio Fredman's natural room ambience as a primary element, placed overhead microphones higher and further from the kit, and applied minimal compression — allowing Martin Lopez's full dynamic range from brush whispers to firm rim shots to survive the mix. Deliverance's drums were close-miked and tightly engineered for maximum attack; Damnation's drums breathe within the room acoustics.