Lars Ulrich's Drum Setup on Metallica's Hardwired...to Self-Destruct (2016) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drums did Lars Ulrich use on Hardwired...to Self-Destruct?

Lars Ulrich recorded Hardwired...to Self-Destruct in 2016 using his Tama Starclassic Maple drum kit, finished in Deeper Purple — the same brand and series he had used since the Load era, now in a dual-kick configuration. The setup included dual 22"x16" bass drums, two rack toms (8" and 10"), and 14" and 16" floor toms. The Starclassic Maple's thin 6-ply (toms) / 8-ply (kick) shells and Star-cast mounting delivered a warmer, fuller tone than the Tama Starclassic Birch he used on Death Magnetic — a fit for Greg Fidelman's punchier production at Metallica's HQ studio in San Rafael, California. This same kit and finish later became the basis for Tama's limited-edition "Worldwired" touring replica.

What snare did Lars Ulrich use on Hardwired?

Lars Ulrich used one of Tama's signature steel plate snares on Hardwired — engineer Greg Fidelman auditioned around 15 candidate snares before settling on the model, and the band kept four or five identical units in rotation since Lars's forceful playing detuned the drum quickly. The steel shell delivered a bright, cutting attack, with die-cast hoops keeping rimshots tight and consistent. The snare was tuned medium-high for attack and clarity, paired with an Evans Heavyweight batter head for durability under the album's aggressive backbeats.

What cymbals did Lars Ulrich use on Hardwired?

Lars Ulrich used a mix of Zildjian A Custom and Z Custom cymbals on Hardwired. His setup included 14 inch A Custom hi-hats, 16 inch and 19 inch A Custom crashes, an 18 inch Z Custom crash for added projection, a 20 inch A Custom ride, and an 18 inch A Custom China. Zildjian has been Lars's endorsement since the Master of Puppets era, and the A Custom range became his established core during the Death Magnetic period, with Z Custom pieces added on Hardwired for heavier projection.

What pedals did Lars Ulrich use on Hardwired?

Lars Ulrich used Tama Speed Cobra HP910 pedals for the Hardwired era, continuing the pedal line he had used since the Death Magnetic touring cycle. The Speed Cobra's long footboard and Cobra Coil spring system deliver fast rebound and effortless response — well suited to the sustained double-bass passages on tracks like "Spit Out the Bone" and "Atlas, Rise!." Used as two single pedals on a dual-kick rig, the Speed Cobras gave Lars consistent feel across both feet at the demanding uptempo arrangements Hardwired required.

Where was Hardwired...to Self-Destruct recorded?

Hardwired...to Self-Destruct was recorded at HQ — Metallica's own studio facility in San Rafael, California. The album was self-produced by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich alongside Greg Fidelman, who had worked extensively with the band since the Death Magnetic era as engineer and mixer. Recording at HQ gave the band complete environmental control and the kind of unlimited time for drum-sound refinement that conventional rented studio environments cannot match. The album debuted at #1 in 57 countries upon its November 18, 2016 release.

How does Hardwired compare to Death Magnetic for drum sound?

Hardwired sits in a clear lineage with Death Magnetic but represents an evolution rather than a repeat. Where Death Magnetic used a Tama Starclassic Birch kit with a single bass drum + double pedal and a steel Tama LU1465 snare under Rick Rubin's production, Hardwired moved to a Tama Starclassic Maple kit with dual 22 inch bass drums and a Tama steel plate snare under Greg Fidelman's co-production. The Hardwired drum tone has more low-end weight and slightly fuller body than Death Magnetic, but maintains the same attack-forward, thrash-aligned character. Both albums avoid the over-compressed mastering issues that plagued Death Magnetic's release.