Dave Lombardo's Drum Setup on Testament's The Gathering (1999) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Dave Lombardo play on a Testament album?

Yes — Dave Lombardo, best known as Slayer's drummer, recorded The Gathering with Testament in 1999 as a guest/session drummer. The Gathering is Testament's most critically acclaimed album and represents Lombardo's most prominent non-Slayer studio recording. He used his Tama Starclassic Bubinga kit, Pearl Sensitone snare, and Zildjian A series cymbals for the sessions at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida, produced by James Murphy.

What gear did Dave Lombardo use on The Gathering?

Dave Lombardo recorded The Gathering (1999) using a Tama Starclassic Bubinga drum kit — a professional flagship built around dense African bubinga wood shells. His configuration included twin 22" x 18" bass drums (his signature independent setup), 10" and 12" rack toms, and 14" and 16" floor toms. His snare was a Pearl Sensitone Steel at 14" x 6.5". Cymbals were Zildjian A Series — hand-hammered for complex, warm character distinct from the Paiste RUDE cymbals of his early Slayer recordings. He used Tama Iron Cobra single pedals on each bass drum.

How does Lombardo's work on The Gathering differ from his Slayer recordings?

The Gathering (1999) captures Lombardo in a fundamentally different sonic context from his Slayer work. His Slayer albums — especially Reign in Blood (1986) and Seasons in the Abyss (1990) — were built around velocity, impact, and Rick Rubin's monolithic production approach. The Gathering, produced by James Murphy at Morrisound Recording, prioritized articulation within intensity: every note audible, every pattern detailed. His gear also differed — Tama Starclassic Bubinga and Zildjian A series rather than the Paiste RUDE cymbals of Reign in Blood. The result is a Lombardo performance that demonstrates his technical range beyond Slayer's specific sonic demands.

Why did Testament choose Dave Lombardo to drum on The Gathering?

Testament chose Dave Lombardo for The Gathering (1999) because the album's increasingly technical, death-metal-influenced direction required a drummer who could match that intensity while bringing credibility to the crossover moment. Lombardo was between Slayer obligations and had demonstrated his technical range with Grip Inc. (with Gus G.) during his 1990s Slayer hiatus. Producer James Murphy — himself a former Testament guitarist with deep technical death metal roots — understood that Lombardo's velocity, precision, and reputation would elevate what Testament was attempting. The combination worked: The Gathering became the band's most critically acclaimed album.