Satanica Drum Setup: Inferno's Tama Starclassic Kit — Behemoth's 1999 Blackened Death Metal Origin | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drums did Inferno use on Satanica?

For Satanica (1999), Inferno used a Tama Starclassic Maple kit — Tama's flagship maple production shell line, configured with double 22" x 18" bass drums, two rack toms, and two floor toms. He paired the kit with a Tama Starclassic Maple snare and Meinl Byzance cymbals in early configuration, using Tama Iron Cobra double pedals for kick control. This setup predates the Pearl Masters Premium he would use for Thelema.6 (2002). For the full arc of Inferno's kit evolution, see the [Inferno drummer profile](/drummer/inferno).

How does Satanica compare to Thelema.6 in Inferno's development?

Satanica (1999) is the arc's origin point — the album where Inferno's approach to blackened death metal drumming first reached its mature form. Thelema.6 (2002), which followed three years later, documents the next stage of the evolution: Inferno's deliberate move toward the polyrhythmic death metal complexity that would define Demigod (2004). On Satanica, Inferno's blast beat approach is more rooted in the black metal tradition — direct, relentless, focused on driving intensity. Thelema.6 introduces more compositional variation in kick patterns and rhythmic architecture. Gear-wise, Inferno shifted from the Tama Starclassic Maple of Satanica to a Pearl Masters Premium for Thelema.6. See the full arc at the [Thelema.6 drum setup](/articles/thelema-6-drum-setup) and [Demigod drum setup](/articles/demigod-drum-setup).

What tempo are the blast beats on Satanica?

The blast beat sections on Satanica (1999) range from approximately 180–220 BPM depending on the track. 'Decade of Therion' and 'Inauguration of the Scorpio Flame' push toward 200–220 BPM during peak blast sections, while tracks like 'Ceremony of Shiva' feature extended midtempo passages alongside blast sections. Inferno's alternating single-stroke blast beat technique — with hi-hat or crash accents — drives the rhythmic foundation, supported by Tama Iron Cobra double pedals providing consistent bass drum control at extreme velocities. For comparison, his later blast beat work on Evangelion (2009) and The Satanist (2014) would reach 220–240 BPM.

What cymbals did Inferno use on Satanica?

For Satanica (1999), Inferno used Meinl Byzance cymbals in early configuration — 14" hi-hats, 16" and 18" crash cymbals, a 20" ride, and an 18" China. The Byzance series' hand-hammered B20 bronze construction provided the dark, complex tonal character suited to Behemoth's blackened death metal approach. This early Byzance configuration predates the Meinl Classics Custom Dark setup Inferno would use for The Satanist (2014). See the [What's In Inferno's Kit breakdown](/articles/whats-in-infernos-kit) for his current gear.