Zos Kia Cultus — Behemoth Drum Setup (Inferno, 2002) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drums did Inferno use on Zos Kia Cultus?

On Zos Kia Cultus (2002), Inferno used a Tama Starclassic Maple kit configured with double 22" kick drums, rack toms, and floor toms. The all-maple shell construction delivered warmth and tonal definition suited to the Hertz Studios recording environment and the album's denser, more orchestrated arrangements. This Tama Starclassic Maple configuration carried forward from the Thelema.6 (2000) era and would continue through the Demigod (2004) sessions. For Inferno's current live kit, see the [What's In Inferno's Kit breakdown](/articles/whats-in-infernos-kit).

What cymbals did Inferno use on Zos Kia Cultus?

Zos Kia Cultus (2002) marked the first notable Meinl Byzance cymbal integration in Inferno's Behemoth studio work — a significant milestone in his gear history. The Byzance series' hand-hammered, hand-lathed construction produces a complex, dark tonal character that suits orchestrated extreme metal arrangements without excessive cymbal wash. This early Byzance setup included 14" hi-hats, 16" and 18" crashes, a 20" ride, and an 18" China cymbal. The choice established the sonic direction Inferno would develop through Demigod (2004) and maintain through Evangelion (2009).

How does the Zos Kia Cultus drum setup differ from Satanica and Thelema.6?

Zos Kia Cultus (2002) represented a meaningful step forward from both Satanica (1999) and Thelema.6 (2000) in gear and production approach. The core Tama Starclassic Maple kit was consistent across these albums, but Zos Kia Cultus introduced the first notable Meinl Byzance cymbal integration — a departure from the cymbal choices of the earlier records. The Hertz Studios recording environment also produced a distinctly different drum sound: denser and more orchestrated than the rawer productions of Satanica and Thelema.6, with a kick attack profile shaped by the studio's acoustics and production approach. The overall effect was a drum sound compositionally embedded within the arrangements rather than sitting separately above them.

Where was Zos Kia Cultus recorded and how did it affect the drum sound?

Zos Kia Cultus was recorded at Hertz Studios in Poland — the same studio where Behemoth would later record Demigod (2004), Evangelion (2009), and The Satanist (2014). This was a significant change from earlier Behemoth recording environments and directly shaped Inferno's drum sound on the album. The Hertz Studios approach produced a denser, more deliberately shaped drum sound than the rawer recordings of Satanica and Thelema.6. The Tama Starclassic Maple's perceived attack changed meaningfully in this environment — broader, more present, more embedded within the album's symphonic arrangements.

Why is Zos Kia Cultus significant in Inferno's gear history?

Zos Kia Cultus (2002) is significant in Inferno's gear history primarily because it documents the first notable integration of Meinl Byzance cymbals into his Behemoth studio setup — the beginning of a long relationship with Meinl that would define his sound through Demigod (2004), Evangelion (2009), The Satanist (2014), and beyond. The album also marks the last Behemoth record before the Demigod breakthrough, placing it at a pivotal point: after this, Inferno's equipment and technique would develop under the scrutiny of growing international attention. See the full gear evolution at [What's In Inferno's Kit](/articles/whats-in-infernos-kit) and the later [Evangelion drum setup](/articles/evangelion-drum-setup).