Vinnie Paul's Drum Setup on Pantera's Reinventing the Steel (2000) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drums did Vinnie Paul play on Reinventing the Steel?

Vinnie Paul recorded Reinventing the Steel in 2000 on a Pearl Reference kit finished in white marine pearl. The configuration included dual 22 inch by 18 inch bass drums, rack toms at 10, 12, and 13 inches, and floor toms at 16 and 18 inches, built from 6-ply maple/mahogany hybrid shells. It marked a return to the Pearl Reference line he'd used on Far Beyond Driven, but in a brighter finish that departed from the black kits he'd played through most of the 1990s.

Was Reinventing the Steel Pantera's last album?

Yes. Reinventing the Steel, released March 21, 2000, is Pantera's sixth and final studio album. It was the last time Vinnie Paul, Dimebag Darrell, Phil Anselmo, and Rex Brown recorded together — the band dissolved in 2003, and Dimebag Darrell was killed on stage with Damageplan in December 2004. The album debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold by the RIAA in May 2000.

What cymbals did Vinnie Paul use in 2000?

On Reinventing the Steel, Vinnie Paul used a blend of Sabian's established HH series and the newly introduced AAX Custom line. His setup included 14 inch HH hi-hats, an 18 inch HH crash, 16 and 19 inch AAX Custom crashes, a 22 inch HH ride, and an 18 inch HH china. The mix reflected Sabian's 2000-era transition, giving Vinnie the darker HH voice he'd relied on since 1996 alongside the brighter, more aggressive attack of the new AAX Custom crashes.

Who produced Reinventing the Steel?

Reinventing the Steel was produced by Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell alongside engineer Sterling Winfield. It was the first Pantera studio album since 1988's Power Metal not produced by longtime collaborator Terry Date, reflecting the band's push for a more direct, self-directed sound on their final record.