Charlie Benante's Drum Setup on Anthrax's For All Kings (2016) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drum kit did Charlie Benante use on For All Kings?

Charlie Benante used a Tama Starclassic Maple kit on For All Kings (2016), configured with dual 22" x 18" bass drums, three rack toms (10", 12", 13"), and two floor toms (14" and 16") with all-maple shells and Tama's Star-Cast mounting system. This was the same fundamental configuration as Worship Music (2011), but with five additional years of touring and recording experience behind the instrument. Jay Ruston captured the setup at Sphere Studios in North Hollywood with a slightly increased low-end weight versus the Worship Music sessions.

Was For All Kings Grammy nominated?

Yes. Anthrax received a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance at the 59th Grammy Awards (2017) for the track 'Evil Twin' from For All Kings. This was Anthrax's second consecutive Grammy nomination — following Worship Music's 'In the End' nomination at the 54th Grammy Awards in 2012 — placing the band in a select group of contemporary metal acts with back-to-back Grammy recognition. The album debuted at #9 on the US Billboard 200 and #7 on the UK Albums Chart.

What is Charlie Benante's drum setup on 'Evil Twin'?

'Evil Twin' from For All Kings (2016) features Charlie Benante on Tama Starclassic Maple with dual 22" x 18" bass drums, his Tama Charlie Benante Signature steel snare, and Paiste 2002/Signature cymbals. The Grammy-nominated track is a mid-tempo composition that centers on Benante's snare backbeat and controlled hi-hat work — the Speed Cobra double bass appears as a structural accent rather than a constant presence, reflecting the mature compositional approach that distinguishes For All Kings from Anthrax's classic thrash recordings. For comparison with the classic era, see the [Among the Living drum setup article](/articles/charlie-benante-among-the-living-drum-setup).

How does For All Kings compare to Worship Music drum-wise?

For All Kings (2016) and Worship Music (2011) share the same fundamental Charlie Benante configuration — Tama Starclassic Maple, Speed Cobra pedals, Tama signature snare, Paiste cymbals — but differ in execution and production. By For All Kings, Benante had six years of Speed Cobra experience versus approximately one year at Worship Music, producing a more relaxed and precise double bass performance. Jay Ruston's production for For All Kings added more low-end weight to the kick drums and more dimensional depth to the toms compared to Worship Music's brighter presentation. The album's wider compositional range also pushed Benante into more atmospheric and dynamic territory than Worship Music's more unified thrash focus. See the [Worship Music drum setup article](/articles/worship-music-drum-setup) for the direct comparison.

What Anthrax albums has Charlie Benante recorded with Tama Speed Cobra pedals?

Charlie Benante switched to Tama Speed Cobra pedals in 2010, replacing the legendary HP35 Camco chain-drive pedals he had used since 1984. Both modern Anthrax studio albums — Worship Music (2011) and For All Kings (2016) — were recorded with Speed Cobra pedals. Worship Music was the first Anthrax album with Speed Cobras (approximately one year of familiarity at the time of recording); For All Kings was the second (six years of experience). All subsequent Anthrax touring and session work, including his role in Pantera's reunion tour from 2022, used the Speed Cobra configuration. For the full modern kit overview, see [What's In Charlie Benante's Kit](/articles/whats-in-charlie-benantes-kit).