Raymond Herrera Drum Kit & Gear Setup — Fear Factory Drummer | MetalForge
Raymond Herrera Drum Kit, Gear & Setup
Complete biography of Raymond Herrera, founding Fear Factory drummer who pioneered industrial metal drumming. Explore his machine-like precision, triggering ...
Quick Facts: Raymond Herrera
| Band | Fear Factory / Arkaea / Brujeria |
|---|---|
| All bands | Fear Factory, Arkaea, Brujeria |
| Genre | Industrial Metal / Death Metal |
| Country | USA |
| Primary brand | Tama |
| Drum kit | Tama Starclassic |
| Snare | Tama 14x6.5" Brass |
| Sticks | Pro-Mark 5A Oak Nylon Tip |
Raymond Herrera Biography
Raymond Herrera (born December 18, 1972, in Los Angeles, California) is an American drummer who co-founded influential industrial metal band Fear Factory in 1990. Known for his machine-like precision and pioneering use of drum triggers, Herrera helped define the sound of industrial metal drumming.
His drumming on classic Fear Factory albums like "Demanufacture" (1995) and "Obsolete" (1998) combined relentless double bass patterns with mechanical precision, creating the template for countless industrial and groove metal bands. Though he departed Fear Factory in 2009, his influence on modern metal drumming remains significant.
Career Highlights
- 1989: Joined Brujeria as one of founding members
- 1990: Co-founded Fear Factory in Los Angeles
- 1992: Released Fear Factory debut "Soul of a New Machine"
- 1995: Released "Demanufacture," landmark industrial metal album
- 1998: Released "Obsolete," Fear Factory's commercial peak
- 2001: Released "Digimortal," featuring hit "Linchpin"
- 2004: Released "Archetype" after Fear Factory reunion
- 2005: Released "Transgression" with Fear Factory
- 2008: Formed Arkaea with Christian Olde Wolbers after Fear Factory split
- 2009: Officially departed Fear Factory
Style & Influences
Raymond Herrera's drumming style revolutionized industrial metal with its combination of mechanical precision and brutal power. His use of drum triggers to achieve a processed, machine-like sound became a hallmark of Fear Factory's production.
Key Influences:
- Dave Lombardo (Slayer): Thrash metal foundation
- Industrial Music: Electronic precision applied to metal
- Discharge/Hardcore Punk: Relentless rhythmic attack
- Godflesh: Early industrial metal template
Signature Techniques:
- Machine-gun double bass patterns at extreme tempos
- Precise use of drum triggers for mechanical sound
- Syncopated groove patterns between blast sections
- Integration of electronic elements with acoustic drums
- "Stop-start" rhythmic patterns that defined Fear Factory
Gear Highlights
Raymond Herrera was a Tama Drums endorser during his Fear Factory years, developing a setup optimized for triggered, mechanical precision at extreme tempos.
Classic Setup (Fear Factory Era):
- Drums: Tama Starclassic (with extensive triggering)
- Snare: Tama 14"x6.5" Brass with trigger
- Cymbals: Zildjian (Z Custom for durability)
- Hardware: DW 5000 Series Double Pedal on a Tama Power Tower Custom rack
- Triggers: ddrum/Roland triggers throughout kit
- Sticks: Pro-Mark 5A Oak Nylon Tip
- Heads: Attack Drumheads
Technical Setup:
- Heavy use of triggers for consistent sound
- Module triggering for electronic integration
- Setup designed for speed and consistency
- Focus on reliability for grueling tour schedules
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Raymond Herrera use?
Raymond Herrera plays a Tama Starclassic drum kit — the mechanically precise setup behind his innovative "stop-go" double bass technique that defined Fear Factory's industrial metal sound across Soul of a New Machine (1992), Demanufacture (1995), and Obsolete (1998).
What drum set does Raymond Herrera use?
Raymond Herrera's drum set centers on a Tama 14"x6.5" Brass snare delivering a sharp, industrial crack, paired with a DW 5000 Series double pedal mounted on a Tama Power Tower Custom rack — the configuration he carried into his later work with Brujeria and Arkaea.
What cymbals does Raymond Herrera play?
Raymond Herrera plays Zildjian A Custom and Z Custom Series cymbals: 14" A Custom Hi-Hats, 18" and 19" A Custom Crashes, a 21" Z Custom Mega Bell Ride, and an 18" A Custom China.
What snare does Raymond Herrera use?
Raymond Herrera's snare is a Tama 14"x6.5" Brass model, delivering the sharp, industrial crack that cuts through Fear Factory's mechanized riffing.
What sticks does Raymond Herrera use?
Raymond Herrera uses Pro-Mark 5A Oak Nylon Tip drumsticks.
What bass drum pedal does Raymond Herrera use?
Raymond Herrera drives his precise, stop-go double bass patterns with a DW 5000 Series double pedal.
What drumheads does Raymond Herrera use?
Raymond Herrera uses Attack Drumheads across his Tama Starclassic kit.
What band is Raymond Herrera in?
Raymond Herrera co-founded and drummed for Fear Factory from 1990 to 2009. He also drums for Brujeria and formed Arkaea after Fear Factory's split.
Does Raymond Herrera use electronic drum triggers?
Raymond Herrera uses ddrum and Roland electronic triggers throughout his kit, a technical setup central to the mechanically precise, processed drum sound he pioneered on Fear Factory albums like Demanufacture (1995) and Obsolete (1998).