Pete Sandoval Drum Kit & Gear Setup — Morbid Angel Drummer | MetalForge
Pete Sandoval Drum Kit, Gear & Setup
Complete biography of Pete Sandoval, Morbid Angel's legendary drummer and pioneer of extreme metal drumming. Explore his career, gravity blast technique, and...
Quick Facts: Pete Sandoval
| Band | Morbid Angel |
|---|---|
| All bands | Morbid Angel, Terrorizer |
| Genre | Death Metal |
| Country | USA |
| Primary brand | Cymbal |
| Drum kit | ddrum (specific series unconfirmed) |
| Snare | ddrum (specific model unconfirmed) |
| Sticks | Pro-Mark (historical endorsement — current sticks unverified) |
Pete Sandoval Biography
Pedro Rigoberto "Pete" Sandoval (born May 21, 1964, in Santa Ana, El Salvador) is a Salvadoran-American drummer widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in extreme metal. Known by his nicknames "Commando" and "Pete the Feet," Sandoval's work with Morbid Angel and Terrorizer helped define the sound of death metal and grindcore drumming.
According to AllMusic's Jason Birchmeier, Sandoval "challenges one's perception of how fast a drummer can possibly drum." His pioneering blast beat technique, incredible speed, and relentless work ethic established the template that countless extreme metal drummers have followed. His work on Morbid Angel's "Altars of Madness" (1989) remains a benchmark for death metal drumming.
Career Highlights
- 1986: Co-founded Terrorizer in Los Angeles, developing early grindcore drumming style
- 1988: Joined Morbid Angel, replacing original drummer
- 1989: Recorded "Altars of Madness" with Morbid Angel, revolutionizing death metal drumming
- 1989: Recorded Terrorizer's "World Downfall," a grindcore landmark
- 1991: Released "Blessed Are the Sick" with Morbid Angel
- 1993: Released "Covenant" with Morbid Angel, reaching Billboard Top 100
- 2000: Released "Gateways to Annihilation" with Morbid Angel
- 2006: Terrorizer reunited; released "Darker Days Ahead"
- 2010: Underwent spinal disc surgery, temporarily leaving Morbid Angel
- 2013: Left Morbid Angel permanently
- 2018: Released "Caustic Attack" with Terrorizer
- 2022: Reunited with David Vincent in I Am Morbid
Style & Influences
Pete Sandoval's drumming style is characterized by extreme speed, relentless endurance, and pioneering blast beat techniques. His approach to double bass drumming set new standards for what was physically possible, inspiring generations of extreme metal drummers.
Key Influences:
- Clive Burr (Iron Maiden): "A huge influence on my first year of drumming"
- Dave Lombardo (Slayer): Thrash metal speed and intensity
- Gene Hoglan (Death): Technical precision
- Neil Peart (Rush): Progressive complexity
Signature Techniques:
- Pioneering gravity blast technique (one-handed blast beats)
- Sustained blast beats at extreme tempos with unmatched endurance
- Powerful, driving double bass patterns learned specifically for Morbid Angel
- Precision at speeds that seemed impossible before his emergence
- Seamless transitions between blast sections and groove passages
Gear Highlights
Pete Sandoval has been a ddrum endorser for much of his career, using their drums for Morbid Angel's most iconic recordings.
Classic Setup (Morbid Angel Era):
- Drums: ddrum (specific series unconfirmed)
- Snare: ddrum (specific model unconfirmed)
- Cymbals: Cymbal brand not publicly documented — Sabian's current official artist roster no longer lists Sandoval
- Hardware: ddrum (specific pedal/hardware model unconfirmed)
- Sticks: Promark or Vic Firth 5B/2B
- Heads: Remo (Pinstripe or Emperor)
Notable Gear Facts:
- Had never used double bass drums before joining Morbid Angel
- Practiced relentlessly to develop double bass speed for Morbid Angel material
- Stories tell of bandmates finding him passed out on the floor from practice sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
What band does Pete Sandoval play drums for?
Pete Sandoval drummed for Morbid Angel from 1988-2013 and co-founded Terrorizer. He reunited with former Morbid Angel vocalist David Vincent in 2022 to drum for I Am Morbid.
What drums does Pete Sandoval play?
Pete Sandoval has been a ddrum artist for much of his career, but the specific drum series he plays is not named on ddrum's own artist page.
What drum kit does Pete Sandoval play?
Pete Sandoval's drum kit is built on ddrum shells, though the specific series and snare model are not publicly documented.
What drum set does Pete Sandoval play?
Pete Sandoval's drum set is built on ddrum shells with a ddrum-brand double pedal; the specific series, snare model, and cymbal brand are not publicly documented.
What cymbals does Pete Sandoval use?
Pete Sandoval's current cymbal brand is not publicly documented; Sabian's official artist roster, which once may have included him, no longer lists Sandoval.
What snare drum does Pete Sandoval use?
Pete Sandoval's snare is a ddrum shell, though the specific model is not publicly documented.
What pedals does Pete Sandoval use?
Pete Sandoval drives his pioneering blast beat technique with a ddrum-brand double pedal, though the specific model is unconfirmed.
What is Pete Sandoval known for?
Pete Sandoval is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in extreme metal, pioneering blast beat and double bass techniques whose speed and endurance set new standards for death metal drumming.
What is Pete Sandoval's gravity blast technique?
Pete Sandoval pioneered the gravity blast, a one-handed blast beat technique that uses the rebound of the stick off the drumhead to generate extreme speed, a signature approach that set the template for death metal drumming after his work on Morbid Angel's "Altars of Madness" (1989).