The Violent Sleep of Reason Drum Setup: Tomas Haake's Live-to-Tape Kit (2016) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drums did Tomas Haake use on The Violent Sleep of Reason?

Tomas Haake recorded The Violent Sleep of Reason in 2016 on a DW Collector's Series kit, marking his transition away from the Sonor Designer Series he used on obZen. The DW setup featured North American maple shells in a Black Sparkle finish, with two 22x18 inch bass drums, 10x8 and 12x9 inch rack toms, and 14x14 and 16x16 inch floor toms. The maple shells provided a warmer fundamental tone compared to Sonor's maple/beech blend, which suited the album's live-in-studio recording approach where natural room sound plays a more significant role.

Why was The Violent Sleep of Reason recorded live in the studio?

Meshuggah chose to record The Violent Sleep of Reason live-to-tape with all five members simultaneously in the room to capture a raw, immediate energy impossible to achieve through conventional multi-tracked recording. After years of precisely engineered studio albums — and the entirely programmed Catch 33 — the band wanted to reconnect with a more organic recording process. Producer Tue Madsen helped engineer the Soundtrade Studios session to maximize separation while preserving the natural energy of real-time band interaction. The absence of a click track on basic rhythm tracks placed particular demands on Tomas Haake, who had to maintain Meshuggah's metronomic polyrhythmic precision through internal pulse alone.

How does Haake's VSÖR setup differ from his obZen rig?

The Violent Sleep of Reason setup differs from obZen in three key areas: the drum kit (Sonor Designer Series on obZen vs DW Collector's Series on VSÖR), the cymbals (Sabian AAX/AA on obZen vs Meinl Classics Custom Dark on VSÖR), and the pedals (Sonor Perfect Balance on obZen vs DW 9000 Series on VSÖR). The Meinl Classics Custom Dark cymbals produce a darker, more controlled sound compared to the bright Sabian AAX — a deliberate choice for a live-room recording environment where cymbal bleed must be managed more carefully. Haake also had his Vic Firth signature sticks by 2016 rather than the standard 5A sticks he used on obZen.

What cymbals did Tomas Haake use on The Violent Sleep of Reason?

Tomas Haake used Meinl Classics Custom Dark cymbals on The Violent Sleep of Reason, a significant change from the Sabian AAX and AA series he used on obZen. His VSÖR setup included Meinl Classics Custom Dark 14 inch hi-hats, 18 and 19 inch crash cymbals, a 21 inch ride, and an 18 inch china. The Classics Custom Dark series features a special hammering process that produces a darker, more focused tone with controlled sustain — well suited to live-room recording environments where excessive cymbal brightness can create problematic bleed into other microphones.

What pedals did Tomas Haake use on The Violent Sleep of Reason?

Tomas Haake used DW 9000 Series single pedals on The Violent Sleep of Reason — two independent single pedals rather than a connected double pedal, consistent with his entire career approach. The switch from Sonor Perfect Balance to DW 9000 pedals accompanied his broader transition to the DW product family for this album. The DW 9000 Series offers adjustable cam geometry and spring tension, allowing Haake to fine-tune the feel under each foot independently — essential for the complete foot independence his polyrhythmic patterns require.