Inferno's Drum Setup on Behemoth's I Loved You at Your Darkest (2018) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drum kit did Inferno use to record I Loved You at Your Darkest?

For I Loved You at Your Darkest (2018) studio sessions at Hertz Studios in Białystok, Poland, Inferno used a Tama Starclassic Bubinga / Star Series configuration — distinct from the Pearl Reference Pure setup he uses for Behemoth's live performances. The studio choice continued the studio-versus-stage philosophy established on The Satanist: Tama Starclassic for recording, Pearl Reference Pure for live. He paired the kit with a Tama snare, Meinl Byzance and Mb20 cymbals, and Axis A-Longboard pedals. For Inferno's current live touring gear, see the [What's In Inferno's Kit article](/articles/whats-in-infernos-kit).

Who produced I Loved You at Your Darkest?

I Loved You at Your Darkest was produced by Daniel Bergstrand together with Behemoth. Bergstrand is the Swedish producer behind landmark records by Meshuggah, In Flames, Strapping Young Lad, and Dimmu Borgir, and his involvement marked a deliberate sonic shift from the Wiesławski-produced The Satanist (2014). Drums were tracked at Hertz Studios in Białystok, Poland — Behemoth's long-time recording home — and mixing happened at Dugout Studios in Sweden under Bergstrand. The dual-studio approach gave the album both the raw acoustic capture Behemoth associates with Hertz and the modern, separated mix sensibility Bergstrand brings to his productions. For more on Inferno's evolution across Behemoth's catalog, visit the [Inferno drummer profile](/drummer/inferno).

What pedals does Inferno use?

Inferno is well known for using Axis A-Longboard pedals — the longboard footboard design redistributes pedal motion in a way that favors sustained high-tempo work, which is why Axis Longboards have become a standard among the fastest extreme metal drummers. Operating two independent 22" bass drums, Inferno deploys an independent Longboard on each drum rather than a linked double pedal system. This allows each foot to apply precisely the right pressure and angle for its specific drum — essential for the precision that sustained blast beats at 200+ BPM require. For a deeper look at extreme metal foot technique, see the [blast beat techniques guide](/articles/blast-beat-techniques).

What cymbals did Inferno use on I Loved You at Your Darkest?

Inferno used a combination of Meinl Byzance and Meinl Mb20 cymbals on I Loved You at Your Darkest — he is a Meinl signature artist. The Byzance series provides the dark, hand-hammered tonal character that suits Behemoth's apocalyptic identity, while the Mb20 series provides the cutting projection power needed at extreme metal volume. The setup included 14" Byzance hi-hats, 16" Byzance crash, 18" Mb20 heavy crash, 22" Mb20 heavy ride, 18" Byzance china, and a 19" Byzance Extra Dry Thin Crash for additional accent options. The combination ensures the cymbals support every section of the album, from the choral opener "Solve" through the most aggressive blast sections.

How did I Loved You at Your Darkest perform commercially?

I Loved You at Your Darkest debuted at number one on the Polish OLiS chart — Behemoth's home country — and reached number 65 on the US Billboard 200, the band's highest US chart position at that point. It was released on October 5, 2018 through Metal Blade Records in North America, Nuclear Blast in mainland Europe, and Mystic Production in Poland. The album supported a multi-year touring cycle including major festival appearances and headline runs across Europe, North America, and beyond. While it did not quite match the universal critical acclaim of The Satanist (2014), it confirmed Behemoth's commercial position at the front rank of contemporary extreme metal.