Sepultura "The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart" Drum Setup: Eloy Casagrande's 2013 Debut | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Eloy Casagrande's first studio album with Sepultura?

Eloy Casagrande's first studio album with Sepultura was The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart, released October 25, 2013 (Europe) / October 29, 2013 (US) via Nuclear Blast. Eloy had joined the band in 2011 at age 19, but this was the first full-length record to capture his playing in the studio. It was produced by Ross Robinson (who also produced Sepultura's 1996 album Roots), co-produced by Steve Evetts, and recorded over 40 days in June 2013 at Robinson's studio in Venice, California.

What drums did Eloy Casagrande use on The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart?

Eloy Casagrande recorded The Mediator (2013) using a Tama Starclassic Bubinga kit — his first major endorsement-level setup. His configuration included twin 22"x18" bass drums for independent double-kick, 10" and 12" rack toms, and a 16" floor tom. His snare was a Tama S.L.P. Big Black Steel, 14"x6.5". His cymbals were Paiste RUDE and 2002 series. His bass drum pedals were Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide (one per kick drum).

Who produced Sepultura's The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart?

The Mediator (2013) was produced by Ross Robinson, who also produced Sepultura's landmark 1996 album Roots, alongside Korn, Slipknot, and At the Drive-In. Steve Evetts co-produced. The album was tracked over 40 days in June 2013 at Robinson's own studio in Venice, California, mixed at Omen Room Studios in Anaheim, and mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Studios in New York. Robinson's signature approach — live takes, minimal overdubbing — shaped the raw character of Eloy Casagrande's recorded debut.

How does Eloy's Mediator setup compare to his Machine Messiah setup?

Between The Mediator (2013) and Machine Messiah (2017), Eloy's setup evolved substantially. Shells: Tama Starclassic Bubinga → Tama Starclassic Walnut/Birch. Cymbals: Paiste RUDE/2002 → Meinl Classics Custom — a shift in tonal character as much as brand. Pedals: Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide → Tama Iron Cobra 900. The production context changed just as much: Ross Robinson's raw, live-take Venice sessions gave way to Jens Bogren's polished Fascination Street Studios approach. See the full Machine Messiah breakdown at [/articles/machine-messiah-drum-setup](/articles/machine-messiah-drum-setup).