New Colossal Hate — Studio Debut Setup — Art Cruz (Lamb of God) Drum Lick | MetalForge
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Learn the New Colossal Hate — Studio Debut Setup drum lick by Art Cruz of Lamb of God. From New Colossal Hate (Lamb of God (2020)). "New Colossal Hate" from Lamb of God's 2020 self-titled album is Art Cruz's defining creative statem...
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1. Art Cruz's Signature Licks — "New Colossal Hate" from Lamb of God's 2020 self-titled album is Art Cruz's defining creative statement as a studio musician — the track that introduced his drumming to a global audience and established him as the rightful custodian of one of metal's most demanding drum chairs. Understanding the drum setup for this track is understanding how Cruz approached the challenge of stepping into Lamb of God with his own identity intact while honouring what the band's sound demands. His Ludwig Black Beauty kit was tuned for the punchy, forward-driving attack that defines Lamb of God's studio sound: the snare is dry and cutting, sitting high enough in the mix to be heard through the dense guitar tone without requiring excessive EQ assistance. The kick drum setup is configured for maximum attack definition — Cruz's beater angle and Trick Drums Pro 1-V pedal spring tension produce a sharp initial transient that makes every kick stroke articulate, even in fast passages where lesser setups would blur. The Zildjian A Custom cymbals cut brightly through the mix, complementing the darker guitar tones with enough presence to keep the cymbal work audible without dominating the arrangement. The groove itself demonstrates Cruz's fundamental philosophy: kick and snare are in constant dialogue, each filling the rhythmic space the other leaves open, so the pattern feels alive and conversational rather than mechanical. Ghost notes on the snare — light, buzzing strokes between the main backbeats — keep the groove in constant motion in the spaces where a less sensitive player would leave dead silence. Cruz's ability to lock his kick patterns precisely to the guitar riff's accent points while maintaining the ghost-note texture above it demonstrates a level of four-way independence that only comes from sustained, serious practice. This track established Cruz as a complete drummer, not merely a competent replacement, and its drum setup and performance philosophy continue to define Lamb of God's studio sound in the post-Adler era.2. Art Cruz Profile — Treat the kick and snare as conversational partners — the pattern is built on dialogue, not parallel independent voices Add ghost notes between the main backbeats to keep the groove in constant motion without adding rhythmic complexity Tune the snare for a dry, cutting attack that sits naturally in the mix rather than requiring heavy processing to be heard Configure the Trick Drums Pro 1-V beater angle for maximum attack definition so every kick stroke articulates clearly in fast passages Lock the kick accent points precisely to the guitar riff's lowest note emphasis for a unified, crushing low-end groove
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