Richard Christy Drum Kit & Gear Setup — Death & Iced Earth Drummer | MetalForge

Richard Christy Drum Kit, Gear & Setup

Complete biography of Richard Christy, legendary drummer for Death and Iced Earth. Explore his technical death metal mastery, work with Chuck Schuldiner, and...

Quick Facts: Richard Christy

BandDeath / Iced Earth
All bandsDeath, Iced Earth, Charred Walls of the Damned
GenreDeath Metal / Thrash Metal
CountryUSA
Primary brandTama
Drum kitTama Starclassic Maple
SnareTama Starclassic 14x6.5" Maple
SticksVic Firth American Classic 5A

Frequently Asked Questions

What drum kit does Richard Christy use?

Richard Christy plays a Tama Starclassic Maple drum kit — the all-maple shell pack he used to record Death's technical, genre-defining swan song The Sound of Perseverance alongside Chuck Schuldiner. His Tama Starclassic 14"x6.5" Maple snare stays warm under Death's intricate arrangements while still delivering the crack needed for rapid-fire blast beats.

What drum set does Richard Christy use?

Richard Christy's drum set pairs Tama Starclassic Maple shells and his Maple snare with a Tama Iron Cobra 900 double pedal, giving him the speed and precision behind the double-bass patterns he carried from Death into Iced Earth and Charred Walls of the Damned.

What cymbals does Richard Christy play?

Richard Christy plays Sabian AAX and HHX Series cymbals: 14" AAX Stage Hi-Hats, 18" and 19" AAX X-Plosion Crashes, a 21" HHX Raw Bell Dry Ride, and an 18" AAX Chinese.

What snare does Richard Christy use?

Richard Christy's snare is a Tama Starclassic 14"x6.5" Maple, warm enough to sit underneath Death's progressive arrangements while cutting through for blast beats.

What sticks does Richard Christy use?

Richard Christy uses Vic Firth American Classic 5A drumsticks, a comparatively lightweight, classic-diameter stick that favors finesse and articulation.

What bass drum pedal does Richard Christy use?

Richard Christy uses a Tama Iron Cobra 900 double pedal.

What drumheads does Richard Christy use?

Richard Christy uses Evans drumheads.

What band is Richard Christy in?

Richard Christy recorded with Death from 1996-2001, played with Iced Earth from 2003-2007, and has drummed for his own band, Charred Walls of the Damned, since 2009.

What hi-hats does Richard Christy use?

Richard Christy plays 14" Sabian AAX Stage Hi-Hats, part of the AAX and HHX cymbal setup he used on Death's The Sound of Perseverance and with Iced Earth.

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