Evangelion — Behemoth Drum Setup (Inferno, 2009) | MetalForge
Inferno recorded Evangelion (2009) on a Pearl Reference Pure kit with a Pearl Reference Steel Snare snare.
Inferno's most technically demanding pre-Satanist performance: Pearl Reference Pure, Paiste Signature Dark Energy cymbals, sub-200ms blast beats across Evang...
Frequently Asked Questions
What drums does Inferno use on Evangelion?
Inferno used a Pearl Reference Pure kit on Evangelion (2009), configured with double 22" kick drums, a compact rack tom spread, and a 14" Pearl steel snare. The setup was optimized for blast beat velocity — a tighter, more focused configuration than the expanded kits often used in live performance contexts. The all-maple shell construction delivered warmth and tonal definition in the Hertz Studio recording environment. For Inferno's current live kit, see the [What's In Inferno's Kit breakdown](/articles/whats-in-infernos-kit).
How is Inferno drum setup different on Evangelion vs The Satanist?
On Evangelion (2009), Inferno used a tighter Pearl Reference Pure configuration with Paiste Signature Dark Energy cymbals, optimized for the album's extreme blast beat velocity at 200–240 BPM. On The Satanist (2014), he retained the Pearl Reference Pure platform but paired it with a Pearl Masterworks snare and Paiste Signature Dark Energy cymbals, and the broader cymbal voicing matched the later album's more dynamic, groove-driven arrangements. The Satanist's drumming is less about raw blast speed and more about compositional power — a reflection of how Behemoth's songwriting evolved between the two records. See the full [The Satanist drum setup breakdown](/articles/the-satanist-drum-setup) for the detailed comparison.
How fast does Inferno play blast beats on Evangelion?
Inferno delivers blast beats in the 200–240 BPM range on Evangelion, executed with single-stroke alternating technique. Tracks like "Ov Fire and the Void" and "Shemhamforash" feature extended blast sections at near-maximum velocity, maintained across the full length of each arrangement. His double pedal setup's mechanical precision and the Paiste Signature Dark Energy hi-hats' fast-decay character were both critical to sustaining this velocity with rhythmic clarity — sloppy or wash-heavy cymbal response would obscure the kick-snare interplay at these tempos.
What cymbals did Inferno use on Evangelion?
Inferno used Paiste Signature Dark Energy cymbals on Evangelion — including 14" Dark hi-hats, 16" and 18" Dark crashes, and a 20" Dark ride. The Byzance Dark series is valued for its dry, fast-decaying character: at 200–240 BPM blast beat tempos, cymbals with excessive sustain create sonic wash that obscures rhythmic definition. The Byzance Dark's controlled response allowed each hi-hat closure and crash accent to register as a distinct event within the album's dense, downtuned arrangements. This differs from the Paiste Signature Dark Energy series Inferno used on The Satanist — a different voicing choice suited to that album's broader dynamic range.
What double pedal did Inferno use on Evangelion?
Inferno used a double pedal setup during the Evangelion era; the specific brand and model are not confirmed by a verified source for this period, so no brand claim is made here. What is clear from the recording is that the setup delivered the mechanical precision and consistent power transfer that extreme blast beat performance at 200–240 BPM requires. For a full breakdown of Inferno's double pedal evolution, see the [Inferno drum setup overview](/articles/whats-in-infernos-kit).