Jaska Raatikainen Drum Kit & Gear Setup — Children of Bodom Drummer | MetalForge

Quick Facts: Jaska Raatikainen

Jaska Raatikainen Biography

Jaska Raatikainen (born July 18, 1979, in Espoo, Finland) was the drummer and co-founder of Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom, formed in 1993 (originally as Inearthed). Alongside the late Alexi Laiho (1979-2020), Raatikainen helped create the band's signature sound that blended neoclassical melodies with aggressive death metal.

Children of Bodom became one of Finland's most successful metal exports, selling over 2 million albums worldwide. Raatikainen's drumming combined blast beats, complex double bass patterns, and progressive elements that complemented Laiho's virtuosic guitar work. The band announced their dissolution in 2019 after 26 years together. Following Alexi Laiho's tragic death in December 2020, Children of Bodom's legacy became permanently sealed in metal history.

Career Highlights

• 1993: Co-founded Inearthed (later Children of Bodom) with Alexi Laiho in Espoo, Finland
• 1997: Band renamed to Children of Bodom; released debut "Something Wild"
• 1999: Released "Hatebreeder," establishing international recognition
• 2000: Released "Follow the Reaper," breakthrough album
• 2003: Released "Hate Crew Deathroll," commercial peak
• 2005: Released "Are You Dead Yet?," mainstream success
• 2008: Released "Blooddrunk," continued evolution
• 2013: Released "Halo of Blood," return to melodic roots
• 2015: Released "I Worship Chaos," continued evolution
• 2019: Released "Hexed," final Children of Bodom album; band dissolution announced
• 2020: December 29: Alexi Laiho passes away; Children of Bodom legacy sealed

Style & Influences

Jaska Raatikainen's drumming style perfectly complemented Children of Bodom's unique blend of neoclassical melodic death metal. His playing featured intricate double bass patterns, precise blast beats, and a musical sensibility that supported Alexi Laiho's guitar virtuosity.

Key Influences:
- Dave Lombardo (Slayer): Thrash metal foundation
- Pete Sandoval (Morbid Angel): Death metal intensity
- Vinnie Paul (Pantera): Groove and power
- Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden): Galloping patterns
- Finnish metal scene: Power metal influences

Signature Techniques:
- Melodic death metal precision: Clean execution at high speeds
- Neoclassical-complementary patterns: Drums that enhance keyboard and guitar melodies
- Double bass musicality: Kick patterns that follow melodic contours
- Dynamic control: Ability to shift between intense and atmospheric moments
- Consistent live performance: Reliability across extensive touring

Gear Highlights

Jaska Raatikainen was a Pearl Drums endorser for much of Children of Bodom's career. His setup was built for the demanding requirements of the band's complex, high-energy material.

Setup (Final Children of Bodom Era):
- Drums: Pearl Masters Premium Maple (custom finish)
- Snare: Pearl Masters 14"x5.5" Maple
- Cymbals: Zildjian A Custom & K Custom Series (14" A Custom Hi-Hats, 17"/18" A Custom Crashes, 20" K Custom Ride)
- Hardware: Pearl Eliminator double pedal
- Sticks: Vic Firth American Classic 5A
- Heads: Remo Emperor/Ambassador

Setup Philosophy:
- Built for endurance during long, technically demanding sets
- Maple shells for warmth and projection
- Consistent configuration for muscle memory
- Reliable hardware for extensive touring

Frequently Asked Questions

What drum kit does Jaska Raatikainen use?

Jaska Raatikainen's drum kit is a Pearl Masters Premium Maple kit, the large-format, double-bass configuration he developed across Children of Bodom's catalog. It centers on a warm, articulate Pearl Masters 14"x5.5" maple snare and is topped with Zildjian A Custom and K Custom cymbals, driven by a Pearl Eliminator double pedal.

What drum set did Jaska Raatikainen use?

Jaska Raatikainen's drum set was a Pearl Masters Premium Maple configuration built around a Pearl Masters 14"x5.5" maple snare, projecting clearly beneath Alexi Laiho's dense guitar and keyboard arrangements. The drum set carried Zildjian A Custom and K Custom cymbals and a Pearl Eliminator double pedal.

What cymbals does Jaska Raatikainen use?

Jaska Raatikainen uses Zildjian A Custom and K Custom Series cymbals: 14" A Custom Hi-Hats for a bright, cutting chick, 17" and 18" A Custom Crashes for fast-attack accents, and a 20" K Custom Ride for dark, controlled rhythmic work.

What hi-hats did Jaska Raatikainen use?

Jaska Raatikainen played 14" Zildjian A Custom Hi-Hats, delivering the bright, cutting chick sound that anchored Children of Bodom's neoclassical melodic death metal rhythms.

What snare drum does Jaska Raatikainen play?

Jaska Raatikainen plays a Pearl Masters 14"x5.5" maple snare, a warm, articulate shell chosen to cut through Children of Bodom's dense neoclassical melodic death metal arrangements.

What bass drum pedals does Jaska Raatikainen use?

Jaska Raatikainen uses a Pearl Eliminator double bass drum pedal, its direct-drive mechanism essential for the rapid double bass volleys Children of Bodom made a genre cornerstone.

What band is Jaska Raatikainen in?

Jaska Raatikainen was the drummer and co-founder of Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom from 1993 until the band's dissolution in 2019.

What drumsticks does Jaska Raatikainen use?

Jaska Raatikainen uses Vic Firth American Classic 5A drumsticks.

What drumheads does Jaska Raatikainen use?

Jaska Raatikainen uses Remo drumheads across his Pearl Masters Premium Maple kit.

What hi-hats does Jaska Raatikainen use?

Jaska Raatikainen uses 14" Zildjian A Custom Hi-Hats for a bright, cutting chick, mounted on his Pearl Masters Premium Maple drum kit and drum set.