Blake Richardson Drum Kit & Gear Setup — Between the Buried and Me Drummer | MetalForge
Blake Richardson Drum Kit, Gear & Setup
Complete biography of Blake Richardson, drummer of Between the Buried and Me. Explore his progressive metal mastery, work on Colors and The Great Misdirect, ...
Quick Facts: Blake Richardson
| Band | Between the Buried and Me |
|---|---|
| Genre | Progressive Metal / Technical Death Metal |
| Country | USA |
| Primary brand | Tama |
| Drum kit | Tama Starclassic Bubinga (Custom Finish) |
| Snare | Tama STARPHONIC 14x6" Brass |
| Sticks | Vic Firth American Classic 3A |
Blake Richardson Biography
Blake Richardson (born February 25, 1984, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina) is an American drummer known for his work with progressive metal band Between the Buried and Me (BTBAM) since 2005. He is widely regarded as one of the most technically proficient and creative drummers in progressive metal, capable of seamlessly blending extreme metal intensity with jazz, fusion, and experimental elements.
Richardson's work on landmark albums like "Colors," "The Great Misdirect," and "The Parallax" series has earned him critical acclaim and a devoted following among drummers. His ability to navigate complex compositions while maintaining musicality and groove has made him an influential figure in modern progressive metal.
Career Highlights
- 2005: Joined Between the Buried and Me, replacing original drummer Will Goodyear
- 2006: Recorded "Alaska," first album with BTBAM
- 2007: Released "Colors," considered one of the greatest progressive metal albums
- 2009: Released "The Great Misdirect," featuring "Swim to the Moon"
- 2012: Released "The Parallax II: Future Sequence," completing the ambitious two-part concept
- 2015: Released "Coma Ecliptic," a theatrical prog concept album
- 2018: Released "Automata" parts I and II
- 2021: Released "Colors II," sequel to landmark 2007 album
- 2024: Continued touring and creating new material with BTBAM
Style & Influences
Blake Richardson's drumming style defies categorization, seamlessly blending death metal blast beats, jazz fusion sophistication, progressive rock complexity, and experimental textures. His approach prioritizes serving each composition's unique demands while pushing technical boundaries.
Key Influences:
- Danny Carey (Tool): Progressive metal approach and polyrhythms
- Sean Reinert (Cynic): Jazz fusion in extreme metal
- Brann Dailor (Mastodon): Progressive metal creativity
- Bill Bruford (Yes/King Crimson): Prog rock complexity
- Jazz Drummers: Tony Williams, Buddy Rich influence his phrasing
Signature Techniques:
- Seamless genre transitions within single songs
- Jazz-influenced ghost notes and hi-hat work
- Blast beats with musicality and dynamics
- Complex odd time signatures executed naturally
- Use of space and restraint within extreme contexts
Gear Highlights
Blake Richardson plays a Tama Starclassic Bubinga kit and Sabian cymbals, with twin single pedals rather than a linked double for independent control of BTBAM's genre-spanning, constantly shifting time signatures.
Current Setup:
- Drums: Tama Starclassic Bubinga in a custom finish
- Snare: Tama STARPHONIC 14"x6" Brass
- Cymbals: Sabian — 14" HHX Evolution Hi-Hats, 18" HHX Evolution Crash, 17" and 21" AAX Holy Chinas, 21" HH Raw Bell Dry Ride, 10" HH Duo Splash, 9" Radia Cup Chime
- Hardware: Twin Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide single pedals (not a linked double pedal)
- Sticks: Vic Firth American Classic 3A
- Heads: Evans
Setup Characteristics:
- Tama Starclassic Bubinga shells for tight low end and explosive attack
- Sabian cymbal spread built for complex, shifting textures
- Twin single pedals for independent double-kick control
- Spacious setup for intricate patterns
Frequently Asked Questions
What band is Blake Richardson in?
Blake Richardson is the drummer for progressive metal band Between the Buried and Me since 2005.
What is Blake Richardson's most famous album?
Between the Buried and Me's "Colors" (2007) is widely considered Blake Richardson's most iconic work and a landmark progressive metal album.
What style does Blake Richardson play?
Blake Richardson plays progressive metal, seamlessly blending death metal, jazz fusion, and experimental elements within BTBAM's genre-defying compositions.
What drum kit does Blake Richardson use?
Blake Richardson's drum kit is a Tama Starclassic Bubinga build in a custom finish, prized for the tight low end and explosive attack progressive metal's constantly shifting time signatures demand.
What drum set does Blake Richardson use?
Blake Richardson's drum set pairs his Tama Starclassic Bubinga shells and STARPHONIC 14"x6" Brass snare with twin Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide single pedals rather than a linked double pedal, giving him independent control over BTBAM's constantly shifting time signatures.
What snare does Blake Richardson use?
Richardson's snare is a Tama STARPHONIC 14"x6" Brass, delivering the cutting crack that drives BTBAM's blast beats and odd-meter grooves on records like "Colors" and "The Parallax II: Future Sequence."
What cymbals does Blake Richardson use?
Blake Richardson plays Sabian cymbals: 14" HHX Evolution Hi-Hats, an 18" HHX Evolution Crash, 17" and 21" AAX Holy Chinas, a 21" HH Raw Bell Dry Ride, a 10" HH Duo Splash, and a 9" Radia Cup Chime.
What sticks does Blake Richardson use?
Blake Richardson plays Vic Firth American Classic 3A sticks, paired with Evans drumheads.
What bass drum pedal does Blake Richardson use?
Richardson powers his independent double-kick patterns with twin Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide single pedals rather than a linked double pedal.