Hate Crew Deathroll Drum Setup: Jaska Raatikainen's Gear on Children of Bodom's 2003 Album | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drums did Jaska Raatikainen use on Hate Crew Deathroll?

On *Hate Crew Deathroll* (2003), Jaska Raatikainen played a Tama Starclassic Maple kit with a double bass drum configuration. The setup centered on twin 22" x 18" bass drums for sustained double-kick work, with rack toms (10" and 12") and floor toms (14" and 16") for the melodic fill work that characterizes Children of Bodom's arrangements. This was part of Raatikainen's Tama era — distinct from his later Pearl Masters endorsement period. The Starclassic Maple's six-ply shell construction delivered the attack and sustain needed for Finnvox Studios' recording environment. For Raatikainen's complete gear history across Children of Bodom's career, see the [Jaska Raatikainen drummer profile](/drummer/jaska-raatikainen).

What pedals did Jaska Raatikainen use on Hate Crew Deathroll?

Jaska Raatikainen used the Tama Iron Cobra double pedal on *Hate Crew Deathroll* (2003). The Iron Cobra's chain-drive mechanism was essential to the sustained double-kick patterns that define the album's most intense tracks — particularly "Needled 24/7" and "Sixpounder," where consistent mechanical response at 200+ BPM tempos was non-negotiable. The Iron Cobra's cam geometry balanced stroke speed with beater impact weight, allowing Raatikainen to produce individually audible kick strokes even in the fastest passages rather than a continuous blur. The Tama Iron Cobra remains one of the most respected chain-drive double pedals in metal drumming for exactly the qualities that made it right for this album. See [Tama drums and hardware](/gear/tama) for more on the Iron Cobra's specifications.

What is the drumming style on Hate Crew Deathroll?

Jaska Raatikainen's drumming on *Hate Crew Deathroll* (2003) represents the definitive expression of melodic death metal drumming technique: sustained double-bass velocity at extreme tempos combined with melodically aware fill work that tracks the neoclassical guitar and keyboard lines above it. Unlike pure death metal drumming — which prioritizes aggression and velocity above all — Raatikainen's approach on this album requires musical sensitivity alongside technical athleticism. His tom fills on tracks like "Sixpounder" follow Alexi Laiho's guitar runs and Janne Wirman's keyboard phrases, functioning as compositional countermelody rather than purely rhythmic punctuation. Blast beat sections are deployed structurally — as intensity peaks within songs — rather than as a constant texture. Ghost notes on the snare in verses demonstrate dynamic range at the other extreme. The result is drumming that rewards close listening as much as it demands physical respect. For the broader context of this approach, see the [Children of Bodom band page](/band/children-of-bodom) and the [Jaska Raatikainen drummer profile](/drummer/jaska-raatikainen).

What cymbals did Jaska Raatikainen use on Hate Crew Deathroll?

On *Hate Crew Deathroll* (2003), Jaska Raatikainen used Paiste cymbals throughout — specifically Paiste Sound Edge 14" hi-hats paired with Paiste 2002 crashes (16" and 18"), a Paiste 2002 20" ride, and a Paiste 2002 18" China cymbal. The Paiste 2002's CuSn8 bronze alloy produces a bright, cutting sound with enough warmth in the sustain to avoid harshness — qualities that allowed the cymbals to cut through *Hate Crew Deathroll*'s keyboard-dense arrangements naturally without aggressive post-processing. The Sound Edge hi-hats' rippled bottom cymbal design provided clean articulation at the extreme tempos the album demanded. See [Paiste cymbals](/gear/paiste) for more on the 2002 series specifications.