Vengeance Falls Drum Setup: Nick Augusto's David Draiman-Produced Trivium Album (2013) | MetalForge
Nick Augusto recorded Vengeance Falls (2013) on a Pearl Reference Pure kit with a Pearl Reference 14"x6.5" Brass snare.
Complete gear breakdown for Nick Augusto's drum setup on Trivium's Vengeance Falls (2013). Pearl Reference Pure kit, Sabian AAX cymbals, and how Disturbed's ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit did Nick Augusto use on Vengeance Falls?
On Trivium's Vengeance Falls (2013), Nick Augusto played the same Pearl Reference Pure kit he used on "In Waves" — maple/birch hybrid shells in a custom finish, with a 22" bass drum, two rack toms (10", 12"), and two floor toms (14", 16"). The equipment didn't change between albums; producer David Draiman instead shaped a warmer, more sustained drum tone through tuning and mix processing. For full drummer profile details, see [Nick Augusto at MetalForge](/drummer/nick-augusto).
How did David Draiman's production affect the drum sound on Vengeance Falls?
David Draiman — lead vocalist of Disturbed and Device, producing for the first time in his career — pushed Trivium's drum sound toward a warmer, more rock-radio character on Vengeance Falls. Compared to Jason Suecof's dry, punchy production on "In Waves," Draiman favored more body and sustain in Nick Augusto's snare and kit tuning, with less emphasis on the sharpest possible transient attack. The equipment stayed identical to "In Waves" — the change was entirely in tuning, mic technique, and mix processing at Draiman's own DMD Productions studio in Austin, Texas. For the earlier, drier-sounding album, see the [In Waves drum setup at MetalForge](/articles/in-waves-drum-setup).
How much would Nick Augusto's Vengeance Falls drum kit cost today?
Nick Augusto's full Vengeance Falls-era setup — the Pearl Reference Pure kit, Pearl Reference brass snare, Sabian AAX cymbal package, and Pearl Demon Drive double bass pedal — carried a combined estimated value of roughly $5,400–7,100 at 2013 retail pricing. Buying equivalent gear used today would run approximately $2,300–3,300, with the Reference Pure kit itself accounting for the largest share at $1,600–2,300 used.
Is Vengeance Falls heavier or more technical than Shogun?
Neither is a direct comparison — Shogun (2008) predates Nick Augusto's time in Trivium; it was recorded by his predecessor, Travis Smith. Vengeance Falls (2013) is deliberately direct: every track on the standard edition runs under six minutes, and Augusto's playing prioritizes locked-in groove and pocket over technical display. For Augusto's most technically demanding record with the band, see the [In Waves drum setup at MetalForge](/articles/in-waves-drum-setup).
Where did Vengeance Falls chart, and what were the singles?
Vengeance Falls debuted at #15 on the US Billboard 200 and reached #23 on the UK Albums Chart, also charting in the top 10 in Australia, Germany, and Canada. The album was led by the singles "Brave This Storm" and "Strife," with "Through Blood and Dirt and Bone" and "Villainy Thrives" released as later singles in 2014. It was Nick Augusto's final studio album with Trivium before his departure in May 2014.