Pete Sandoval Drum Kit Evolution — Complete Gear History | MetalForge
How Pete Sandoval's drum setup evolved from 1988 to today. Every kit change across Morbid Angel's discography.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has Pete Sandoval's drum kit changed over the years?
Pete Sandoval's setup evolved across 3 distinct eras with Morbid Angel, from the "Early Morbid Angel / Altars of Madness Era" (1988–1991) to their current setup. See the full era-by-era gear breakdown on MetalForge.
What was Pete Sandoval's first drum kit?
Pete Sandoval's earliest documented setup was during the "Early Morbid Angel / Altars of Madness Era" (1988–1991). Pete Sandoval joined Morbid Angel in 1988, replacing Mike Browning ahead of what would become one of the most important debut albums in death metal history: Altars of Madness (1989, Earache). Sandoval arrived with a natural gift for extreme speed — blast beats at tempos that no drummer in the genre had previously achieved on record. His early setup was functional rather than refined, prioritising raw power and the ability to sustain extreme tempos over tonal nuance. Altars of Madness defined death metal drumming for an entire generation.
How many gear eras does Pete Sandoval have documented?
MetalForge documents 3 distinct gear eras for Pete Sandoval, spanning 1988-2011.