How to Sound Like Daniel Erlandsson — Drum Gear & Setup Guide | MetalForge
Replicate Daniel Erlandsson's Arch Enemy drum sound. Gear list, settings, and technique tips to get that signature tone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Daniel Erlandsson play?
Daniel Erlandsson plays a Pearl Reference Pure drum kit — Pearl's flagship all-maple production shell line. His configuration uses two 22" x 18" kick drums, 10" and 12" rack toms, and 14" and 16" floor toms, paired with his co-designed Pearl Daniel Erlandsson Signature snare (14" x 5.5" maple). The Reference Pure's 6-ply all-maple construction delivers the focused attack and controlled sustain that Arch Enemy's dense melodic arrangements require.
What cymbals does Daniel Erlandsson use?
Daniel Erlandsson uses Paiste RUDE cymbals — Paiste's loudest, most aggressive series. His setup includes 14" RUDE hi-hats, 18" and 19" RUDE Crash Rides, a 22" RUDE Power Ride, and a Paiste 2002 China for accent work. The RUDE series' extreme projection ensures his cymbals cut through Arch Enemy's twin-guitar arrangements.
How does Daniel Erlandsson keep his blast beats so controlled?
Erlandsson's controlled blast beats come from strict metronome practice and a playing philosophy focused on serving the composition rather than showcasing speed. He uses straight blast beats (alternating single strokes) rather than more chaotic gravity blast variants, and he always places blasts to intensify the melody rather than overpower it. His approach: build blast speed incrementally with a click track, never practicing sloppy or rushing blasts.
Is Daniel Erlandsson related to Adrian Erlandsson?
Yes — Daniel and Adrian Erlandsson are brothers. Both grew up in Malmö, Sweden, and both became prominent melodic death metal drummers in the Gothenburg scene. Adrian plays with At The Gates (and previously Cradle of Filth and The Haunted), while Daniel has been exclusively with Arch Enemy since the band's founding in 1995. The two brothers essentially defined the rhythmic approach of Gothenburg melodic death metal from its earliest days.
What pedals does Daniel Erlandsson use?
Daniel Erlandsson uses Pearl Demon Drive double pedals — Pearl's direct-drive flagship. The direct-drive mechanism provides an immediate, linear response without the slight delay of chain-drive pedals, which is critical for Arch Enemy's tight blast beats and continuous 16th-note double-bass sections. His Demon Drive setup is paired with Pearl's matching hardware for consistent response across the full kit.