Matt Garstka Drum Kit Evolution — Complete Gear History | MetalForge
How Matt Garstka's drum setup evolved from 2007 to today. Every kit change across Animals as Leaders's discography.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has Matt Garstka's drum kit changed over the years?
Matt Garstka's setup evolved across 4 distinct eras with Animals as Leaders, from the "Pre-AAL / Berklee Years" (2007–2012) to their current setup. See the full era-by-era gear breakdown on MetalForge.
What was Matt Garstka's first drum kit?
Matt Garstka's earliest documented setup was during the "Pre-AAL / Berklee Years" (2007–2012). Before joining Animals as Leaders, Matt Garstka studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, developing the jazz-fusion vocabulary — traditional grip, ghost-note sensitivity, dynamic control, and metric modulation — that would later distinguish his progressive metal playing. He worked through rotating student and session kits during this formative period, with his snare and cymbal choices already leaning toward jazz-standard gear rather than typical metal setups.
How many gear eras does Matt Garstka have documented?
MetalForge documents 4 distinct gear eras for Matt Garstka, spanning 2007-Present.