Reign in Blood Drum Setup: Dave Lombardo's Gear Breakdown | MetalForge
Dave Lombardo recorded Reign in Blood (1986) on a Tama Artstar II kit with a Tama Superstar Steel snare.
The complete drum gear breakdown for Slayer's Reign in Blood. Discover Dave Lombardo's kit, cymbals, and the recording techniques that created the most inten...
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit did Dave Lombardo use on Reign in Blood?
Dave Lombardo recorded Reign in Blood in 1986 on a Tama Artstar II kit featuring birch shells with die-cast hoops. He ran a double bass configuration with two 22x16 inch bass drums, 10x8 and 12x9 inch rack toms, and 14x14 and 16x16 inch floor toms. His snare was a Tama Superstar Steel at 14x6.5 inches. The birch shells gave the kit an aggressive, cutting attack perfectly suited to Slayer's relentless tempo.
What cymbals did Dave Lombardo use on Reign in Blood?
Dave Lombardo used a combination of Paiste RUDE and 2002 Series cymbals on Reign in Blood. The setup included Paiste 2002 14 inch Sound Edge Hi-Hats, Paiste RUDE 18 and 19 inch Wild Crashes, a Paiste 2002 20 inch Medium Ride, a Paiste 2002 18 inch China, and a Paiste RUDE 20 inch Wild China. The RUDE series is known for its aggressive, unlathed sound that cuts through dense, high-gain guitar tones.
How much does Dave Lombardo's Reign in Blood kit cost?
Dave Lombardo's Tama Artstar II double bass setup would have cost approximately $2,500 to $3,500 new in 1986. The Tama Superstar Steel snare added another $250 to $350 at the time. Vintage Artstar II kits in good condition now command a premium among collectors. Paiste RUDE cymbals remain in production, so that portion of the setup is more affordable to replicate today, with individual pieces ranging from $150 to $400 depending on size.