Dave Lombardo's Drum Setup on Slayer's Seasons in the Abyss (1990) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drum kit did Dave Lombardo use on Seasons in the Abyss?

Dave Lombardo used a Pearl Masters Custom kit for Seasons in the Abyss (1990), switching from the Tama Artstar II he had used on Reign in Blood (1986) and South of Heaven (1988). The Pearl Masters Custom featured maple shells — warmer and more open than the Tama's birch — with ISS tom mounting for improved resonance. The configuration included two 22-inch bass drums (not a double pedal), 10-inch and 12-inch rack toms, and 14-inch and 16-inch floor toms. This gear change is the most significant equipment transition between any two consecutive Rick Rubin Slayer productions.

How does Lombardo's double-bass technique work on "War Ensemble"?

On "War Ensemble," Lombardo drives two separate 22-inch Pearl bass drums at approximately 200 BPM, producing continuous 16th-note patterns at the song's full tempo. The technique is not a double pedal on one drum — each foot operates an independent DW chain-drive pedal on its own drum, giving each bass drum a slightly different acoustic character and allowing independent tuning. The pattern locks with the guitar riff rather than functioning as a sustained blast: Lombardo places the double bass to reinforce the rhythmic structure of Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman's parts, creating the forward momentum that makes "War Ensemble" one of thrash metal's most studied tracks. This controlled, riff-locked approach distinguishes Lombardo's double bass from drummers who use continuous blast patterns as pure texture.

How does Seasons in the Abyss differ from Reign in Blood drumming?

Reign in Blood (1986) is a 29-minute endurance test at 220-250+ BPM — blast beats, maximum speed, no variation in the album's core tempo approach. Every track runs at extreme velocity; groove is not part of the vocabulary. Seasons in the Abyss (1990) covers a range from 92 BPM ("Seasons in the Abyss" title track) to 200 BPM ("War Ensemble") on the same album, requiring Lombardo to switch between speed and groove registers track-to-track. The gear is also completely different: Tama Artstar II birch and Paiste RUDE cymbals on Reign in Blood; Pearl Masters Custom maple and Zildjian A/K on Seasons. The Pearl's warmer tone and the Zildjian's brighter, more articulate response are both audible in the wider dynamic range that Seasons in the Abyss was built to accommodate.

What cymbals did Dave Lombardo use on Seasons in the Abyss?

Dave Lombardo switched from Paiste RUDE and 2002 series (used on Reign in Blood and South of Heaven) to Zildjian A and K series for Seasons in the Abyss. The setup included Zildjian A 14-inch New Beat Hi-Hats, Zildjian A 18-inch and 19-inch Medium Thin Crashes, a Zildjian A 20-inch Medium Ride, Zildjian K 18-inch China, and Zildjian A 10-inch Splash. The Zildjian A series is fully lathed, producing a brighter, more articulate response than the Paiste RUDE's unlathed, aggressive character. The K series China adds dark, dry texture that complements groove tracks like "Dead Skin Mask" differently than the RUDE Wild China's broad aggression would have.

Why is "Seasons in the Abyss" considered one of Lombardo's best performances?

The title track "Seasons in the Abyss" is studied by drumming educators because it demonstrates controlled mid-tempo playing at its highest level. At 92 BPM, Lombardo locks precisely with Jeff Hanneman's iconic guitar riff — every kick and snare placement intentional, every tom fill timed to the phrase structure. There are no blast beats, no speed demonstrations: the track's power comes entirely from groove and precision. This is the hardest kind of drumming to teach: restraint that conveys intensity without relying on velocity. Combined with "War Ensemble's" 200-BPM double bass assault on the same album, it documents the full spectrum of Lombardo's ability in a single record — which is why Seasons in the Abyss remains the most-cited album in Lombardo's discography for drum education purposes.