Leveler Drum Setup: Matt Greiner's Gear on August Burns Red's 2011 Album | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drums did Matt Greiner use on Leveler?

On *Leveler* (2011), Matt Greiner played a Pearl Reference kit — a 4-piece configuration centered on dual 22" bass drums, two rack toms (10", 12"), and a 16" floor tom. The Reference series' hybrid maple/birch/mahogany shells produced the warm, complex tone characteristic of *Leveler*'s drum sound — an upgrade from the Export/Vision kits of the band's earlier records. Greiner later refined further into a Pearl Reference Pure kit, continuing the same underlying Pearl relationship. For his complete current setup, see the [Matt Greiner drum setup guide](/articles/matt-greiner-complete-drum-setup).

What is Matt Greiner known for technically?

Matt Greiner is known for three interconnected technical qualities that are unusually well-developed in the metalcore context. First, his lever-driven double bass technique: generating explosive kick speed through mechanical ankle and calf efficiency rather than brute leg force, producing consistent attack across extended passages. Second, his odd-meter facility: ABR's catalog — particularly *Leveler* (2011) and *Messengers* (2007) — features frequent time signature changes that Greiner navigates with instinctive feel rather than calculated counting. Third, his ghost note integration: unlike many metalcore drummers who treat subtle dynamics as unnecessary, Greiner layers ghost notes into heavy passages, creating rhythmic texture that elevates the groove. These qualities reflect his jazz-informed background applied to aggressive music. See the [Matt Greiner complete drum setup](/articles/matt-greiner-complete-drum-setup) for his current gear and technique breakdown.

What makes the drumming on Leveler unique?

*Leveler*'s drumming stands apart from metalcore contemporaries for its compositional ambition. Greiner doesn't simply support the songs — he co-writes them rhythmically. On tracks like "Empire" (nearly eight minutes, multiple time signature shifts) and "Pangaea," Greiner's drum parts function as independent musical statements that engage in dialogue with JB Brubaker's guitar work rather than simply driving beneath it. The jazz-informed dynamic range — ghost notes in heavy sections, explosive crashes placed at compositional high points rather than on every phrase — gives the album a musical sophistication that pure metalcore albums typically lack. The Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance recognized what genre fans already knew: *Leveler* raised the bar. For the broader context of Greiner's approach, see the [metalcore drumming techniques guide](/techniques/metalcore-drumming) and his [full drummer profile](/drummer/matt-greiner).

What cymbals did Matt Greiner use on Leveler?

During the *Leveler* (2011) sessions, Matt Greiner's long-developing Meinl cymbal endorsement solidified into the named Byzance series — one of the most respected hand-hammered Turkish bronze lines in metal. His setup included Meinl Byzance 14" Medium hi-hats, 16" and 18" Medium Thin crashes, a 20" Medium Ride, and an 18" China cymbal. The Byzance's B20 bronze construction gives it a combination of controlled attack and dark, complex sustain well-suited to metalcore's dense guitar textures. This Byzance setup, first solidified around *Leveler*, carried through as Greiner's signature cymbal sound. For his complete current cymbal setup, see the [Matt Greiner complete drum setup](/articles/matt-greiner-complete-drum-setup).