Lamb of God 'Wrath' Drum Setup — Chris Adler's Grammy-Nominated 2009 Kit | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What kit did Chris Adler use on Wrath?

On Wrath (2009), Chris Adler used a Pearl Reference Pure drum kit. The configuration included dual 22"×18" bass drums, 10" and 12" rack toms, and 14" and 16" floor toms. The Reference Pure's 6-ply maple/mahogany hybrid shells represented a significant tonal shift from the DW Collector's Series he used on Sacrament (2006) — warmer low-mids, denser attack, and more physical presence suited to Wrath's heavier production.

What cymbals did Chris Adler use on Wrath?

For Wrath (2009), Chris Adler continued with Zildjian A Custom cymbals, the same series he established on Sacrament. His setup included 13" A Custom hi-hats, 16", 17", and 18" A Custom crashes, a 20" A Custom ride, an 18" A Custom China, and a 10" A Custom splash. By 2009, Adler had three years of touring experience with these specific models, giving his cymbal work on Wrath a precision and familiarity that comes through in the recording.

How does Wrath differ from the Sacrament drum setup?

The primary gear difference between Wrath (2009) and Sacrament (2006) is the kit change from DW Collector's Series to Pearl Reference Pure. The Reference Pure's maple/mahogany hybrid shells produce a warmer, denser low-mid tone compared to DW's VLT maple construction. The snare also changed from a DW die-cast system to Pearl's free-floating design, giving Wrath's snare more open resonance and body. The Zildjian A Custom cymbals carried over unchanged from Sacrament, as did the Promark signature sticks. Recording location shifted from Capitol Studios (Hollywood) to Sonic Ranch (Texas), contributing to a more ambient, room-driven drum sound.

Why was "Set to Fail" Grammy-nominated?

"Set to Fail" from Lamb of God's Wrath (2009) was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance at the 52nd Grammy Awards (2010). The track showcases Chris Adler driving Lamb of God's heaviest groove-metal assault at 178 BPM with complete control — the Grammy nomination recognized both the song's compositional quality and the performance's technical excellence. It was Lamb of God's second Grammy nomination after "Redneck" from Sacrament (2006), confirming Chris Adler as one of modern metal's most Grammy-recognized drummers.

Where was Lamb of God Wrath recorded?

Wrath was recorded at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, with producer Machine (Mark Lewis) — their third consecutive collaboration following Ashes of the Wake (2004) and Sacrament (2006). Sonic Ranch's remote desert location, multiple tracking spaces, and natural acoustic isolation gave Wrath's drums a more ambient, spacious quality than Capitol Studios' drier Hollywood environment on Sacrament.

What is the Pearl Reference Pure drum kit?

The Pearl Reference Pure is Pearl's professional-grade drum line featuring a proprietary 6-ply maple/mahogany hybrid shell construction. The mahogany layers add warmth and sustain to the maple's attack and projection, producing a tone that is simultaneously warmer and punchier than pure maple shells. Pearl's Opti-Loc mounting system and SST (Superior Shell Technology) complement the shell construction by eliminating mounting hardware contact with the shell, allowing unrestricted resonance. Chris Adler's adoption of this kit for Wrath marked his departure from the DW Collector's Series and established a Pearl endorsement relationship that continued through subsequent Lamb of God records.