Frost Drum Kit & Gear Setup — Satyricon & 1349 Drummer | MetalForge
Frost Drum Kit, Gear & Setup
Complete biography of Frost (Kjetil-Vidar Haraldstad), legendary black metal drummer for Satyricon and 1349. Explore his career, hyperspeed blast beats, gear...
Quick Facts: Frost
| Band | Satyricon / 1349 |
|---|---|
| All bands | Satyricon, 1349 |
| Genre | Black Metal |
| Country | Norway |
| Primary brand | Tama |
| Drum kit | Tama Starclassic Bubinga |
| Snare | Tama Starclassic Bubinga 14x5.5" |
| Sticks | Vic Firth American Classic Extreme 5B |
Frost Biography
Kjetil-Vidar Haraldstad (born June 28, 1973, in Hammerfest, Norway), known professionally as Frost, is a Norwegian drummer and one of the most iconic figures in Scandinavian black metal. He is the longtime drummer for Satyricon since 1993 and 1349 since the band's formation in 2001.
Frost is renowned for his blistering speed, metronomic precision, and seemingly inhuman stamina. His blast beats and hyperspeed drumming have set the technical standard for black metal percussion, combining raw ferocity with disciplined execution. Despite the often chaotic and raw nature of black metal, Frost brings a level of technicality and consistency that has influenced countless extreme metal drummers worldwide.
Career Highlights
- 1993: Joined Satyricon, establishing a legendary partnership with Satyr
- 1996: Released "Nemesis Divina" with Satyricon, a black metal landmark
- 1999: Released "Rebel Extravaganza," pushing black metal into industrial territories
- 2001: Co-founded 1349, a pure black metal project alongside Ravn and Archaon
- 2003: Released "Liberation" with 1349, showcasing extreme drumming prowess
- 2005: Released "Hellfire" with 1349, featuring some of the fastest drumming in black metal
- 2006: Released "Now, Diabolical" with Satyricon, achieving mainstream metal success
- 2008: Released "The Age of Nero" with Satyricon
- 2013: Released "Satyricon" (self-titled), showcasing evolved musical direction
- 2017: Released "Deep calleth upon Deep" with Satyricon
- 2019: Released "The Infernal Pathway" with 1349
Style & Influences
Frost's drumming style epitomizes the black metal aesthetic: relentless blast beats, hyperspeed double bass, and an almost mechanical precision that never sacrifices intensity. His ability to maintain extreme tempos for extended periods while staying tight is legendary in the genre.
Key Influences:
- Hellhammer/Mayhem: Early Norwegian black metal foundation
- Fenriz (Darkthrone): Raw black metal approach
- Pete Sandoval (Morbid Angel): Extreme speed and blast beat technique
- Jazz and Fusion drummers: Technical precision applied to extreme metal
Signature Techniques:
- Sustained blast beats at 240+ BPM with unwavering consistency
- Hyperspeed double bass patterns that maintain groove
- Seamless transitions between blast sections and mid-tempo passages
- Controlled aggression that serves the atmospheric needs of black metal
- Single-foot blast beats for variation and dynamics
Gear Highlights
Frost is a longtime Tama Drums endorser, playing their Starclassic Bubinga series for its focused tone and durability. His setup is designed for both the extreme speed requirements of black metal and the dynamic needs of Satyricon's evolved sound.
Current Setup:
- Drums: Tama Starclassic Bubinga Series (Piano Black finish)
- Snare: Tama Starclassic Bubinga 14"x5.5"
- Cymbals: Zildjian A Series
- Hardware: Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide Pedal, Tama Iron Cobra Lever Glide Hi-Hat Stand
- Sticks: Vic Firth American Classic Extreme 5B
- Heads: Remo
Setup Philosophy:
- Compact kit for quick access during extreme passages
- Tama Iron Cobra pedal for speed and control
- Zildjian K series for dark, washy tones suited to black metal
- Emphasizes durability for punishing live performances
Frequently Asked Questions
What bands does Frost play drums for?
Frost (Kjetil-Vidar Haraldstad) has been the drummer for Satyricon since 1993, and also drums for 1349 since 2001.
What drums does Frost play?
Frost plays a Tama Starclassic Bubinga drum kit.
What drum kit does Frost play?
Frost's drum kit is a Tama Starclassic Bubinga shell pack, built around a Tama Starclassic Bubinga 14"x5.5" snare drum, with Remo drumheads.
What drum set does Frost play?
Frost's drum set pairs Tama Starclassic Bubinga shells and his 14"x5.5" snare with Zildjian A Series cymbals and a Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide pedal built for his hyperspeed blast beats.
What cymbals does Frost use?
Frost uses Zildjian A Series cymbals.
What snare drum does Frost use?
Frost's primary snare is the Tama Starclassic Bubinga, a 14"x5.5" shell.
What pedals does Frost use?
Frost drives his hyperspeed double bass patterns with a Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide pedal on Tama hardware.
What drumsticks does Frost use?
Frost plays Vic Firth American Classic Extreme 5B drumsticks.
What drumheads does Frost use?
Frost uses Remo drumheads across his Tama Starclassic Bubinga drum kit, giving him consistent response for the hyperspeed blast beats he plays with both Satyricon and 1349.