Brann Dailor Drum Kit & Drum Set — Mastodon Drummer | MetalForge
Brann Dailor Drum Kit, Gear & Setup
See exactly what drums, cymbals, and hardware Brann Dailor (Mastodon) uses — complete kit specs and signature gear.
Quick Facts: Brann Dailor
| Band | Mastodon |
|---|---|
| All bands | Mastodon, Arcadea |
| Genre | Progressive/Sludge Metal |
| Country | USA |
| Primary brand | Tama |
| Drum kit | Tama Starclassic Performer B/B |
| Snare | Tama S.L.P. 14x6.5" G-Maple |
| Sticks | Vater 5B |
Brann Dailor Biography
Brann Dailor (born March 19, 1975, in Rochester, New York) is an American musician best known as the drummer and co-vocalist for Grammy-winning progressive sludge metal band Mastodon. His drumming style combines jazz-influenced fills with progressive rock complexity, creating a distinctive, flowing approach that has influenced a generation of metal drummers.
Dailor's drumming is characterized by constant motion—intricate fills that weave around the riffs rather than simply keeping time. His "lead drums" approach treats the drums as a melodic instrument, and his increasingly prominent vocal contributions have added another dimension to Mastodon's sound. He co-founded Mastodon in 2000 with guitarist Bill Kelliher, his longtime collaborator from their days in Lethargy and Today Is the Day.
Career Highlights
- 1992: Founded avant-garde metal band Lethargy in Rochester, NY; Bill Kelliher joined on guitar in 1994
- 1996: Joined Today Is the Day, recording "Temple of the Morning Star"
- 2000: Co-founded Mastodon in Atlanta, Georgia
- 2002: Released "Remission," Mastodon's debut album
- 2004: Released "Leviathan," a concept album inspired by Moby Dick
- 2006: Released "Blood Mountain," featuring guest vocals from Josh Homme
- 2009: Released "Crack the Skye," widely considered Mastodon's masterpiece
- 2011: Released "The Hunter," featuring more accessible songwriting
- 2014: Released "Once More 'Round the Sun"
- 2017: Won Grammy for Best Metal Performance for "Sultan's Curse"
- 2021: Released "Hushed and Grim," a double album honoring manager Nick John
- 2024: Continues touring as one of metal's premier live acts
Style & Influences
Brann Dailor's drumming defies conventional metal norms. Rather than locking into static patterns, his style features constantly evolving fills and rhythmic variations that flow through songs like a melodic instrument. He has described his approach as "lead drums."
Key Influences:
- Neil Peart (Rush): Progressive complexity and composition
- Bill Bruford (Yes/King Crimson): Jazz-influenced progressive rock
- Stewart Copeland (The Police): Rhythmic creativity and dynamics
- Gene Hoglan (Death): Technical death metal foundation
Signature Techniques:
- "Lead drums" approach with constant fills and variations
- Jazz-influenced linear patterns and ghost notes
- Melodic tom work creating almost riff-like patterns
- Seamless integration of complex rhythms within heavy contexts
- Use of China cymbals for accents and transitions
- Increasingly prominent vocal contributions (clean and harsh)
Gear Highlights
Brann Dailor is a longtime Tama endorser, using their Starclassic Performer B/B drums. He favors a large setup to accommodate his expansive, melodic tom work.
Current Setup:
- Drums: Tama Starclassic Performer B/B (birch/bubinga)
- Snare: Tama S.L.P. G-Maple 14"x6.5"
- Cymbals: Meinl Byzance series (15" Byzance Dark Hi-Hats, various crashes, 22" Byzance Ride, Classics Custom China)
- Hardware: Tama Speed Cobra double pedal; Tama Iron Cobra Lever Glide hi-hat stand
- Throne: Tama 1st Chair Ergo-Rider
- Sticks: Vater 5B
- Heads: Evans
Setup Characteristics:
- Large kit with multiple rack toms for melodic patterns
- Extensive use of China cymbals for accents
- Quick-response cymbals for fast transition work
- Angled toms for fluid motion between drums
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Brann Dailor use?
Brann Dailor plays a Tama Starclassic Performer B/B drum kit — a birch/bubinga shell configuration prized for its warm, focused attack that complements Mastodon's dense, riff-driven arrangements. The centerpiece is his Tama S.L.P. G-Maple 14"x6.5" snare, delivering cutting crack and warm maple tone across Leviathan, Blood Mountain, and Crack the Skye.
What drum set does Brann Dailor use?
Brann Dailor's drum set pairs Tama Starclassic Performer B/B shells and his G-Maple snare with a Tama Speed Cobra double pedal, Tama Iron Cobra Lever Glide hi-hat stand, and Tama 1st Chair Ergo-Rider throne, driving the fluid double bass patterns beneath Mastodon's polyrhythmic guitar layers.
What cymbals does Brann Dailor play?
Brann Dailor plays Meinl Byzance Series cymbals: 14" Dark Hi-Hats, 18" and 19" Brilliant Heavy Hammered Crashes, a 21" Ghost Ride, and an 18" Extra Dry China.
What snare does Brann Dailor use?
Brann Dailor's snare is a Tama S.L.P. 14"x6.5" G-Maple, delivering the cutting crack and warm maple tone heard across Mastodon's defining albums.
What sticks does Brann Dailor use?
Brann Dailor uses Vater 5B drumsticks.
What bass drum pedal does Brann Dailor use?
Brann Dailor uses a Tama Speed Cobra double pedal.
What drumheads does Brann Dailor use?
Brann Dailor uses Evans drumheads.
What band is Brann Dailor in?
Brann Dailor is the drummer and co-vocalist for progressive sludge metal band Mastodon, with the group since 2000; he also plays in the synth project Arcadea since 2017.
What hardware does Brann Dailor use?
Brann Dailor's hardware includes a Tama Iron Cobra Lever Glide hi-hat stand and Tama 1st Chair Ergo-Rider throne, supporting the fluid movement across his Starclassic Performer B/B drum kit and drum set.