What drum kit did Matt Garstka use on The Madness of Many?

Matt Garstka used the same core Pearl Masterworks Maple configuration on The Madness of Many (2016) that he used on The Joy of Motion — a 20x16 inch bass drum, 10x7 and 12x8 inch rack toms, and a 14x14 inch floor tom, all maple shells with MasterCast hoops. The setup remained focused on articulation and dynamic response rather than size.

Did Matt Garstka use his signature snare on The Madness of Many?

The Madness of Many era coincides with the development of the Pearl Matt Garstka Signature Snare — a 14x5 inch maple drum built around a custom bearing edge for his ghost-note-heavy dynamic style. This period also marked the introduction of his Vic Firth signature stick, both representing Garstka's transition from endorsing existing products to co-designing signature gear.

What cymbals did Matt Garstka use on The Madness of Many?

Garstka expanded his Meinl Byzance setup for The Madness of Many, adding a 20 inch Dual Crash and an 18 inch Dual Crash / 16 inch Trash Crash effect stack to the Dual Hi-Hats, Extra Dry Thin Crash, Dual Crash, Sand Ride, and Vintage Trash Hat China he'd used on The Joy of Motion. The 22 inch Sand Ride remained his signature ride voice across both records.

When was The Madness of Many released?

The Madness of Many was released November 11, 2016 on Sumerian Records, Matt Garstka's second full studio album with Animals as Leaders. It followed The Joy of Motion (2014) and preceded Parrhesia (2022).

What makes Arithmophobia a key track for studying Garstka's technique?

"Arithmophobia" from The Madness of Many is widely cited as one of Matt Garstka's clearest metric modulation showcases — the track shifts between implied tempos and rhythmic feels while maintaining a natural, unforced flow, demonstrating the jazz-fusion-informed rhythmic vocabulary that distinguishes his playing from more straightforward djent drumming.

The Madness of Many Drum Setup: Matt Garstka's Signature Gear Era Begins | MetalForge

Matt Garstka's drum gear on Animals as Leaders' The Madness of Many (2016) — the refined Pearl Masterworks setup, expanded Meinl Byzance cymbal stack, and th...

Visit MetalForge →