How to Sound Like Nick Barker — Drum Gear & Setup Guide | MetalForge
Replicate Nick Barker's Dimmu Borgir drum sound. Gear list, settings, and technique tips to get that signature tone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nick Barker and why is he significant in extreme metal?
Nick Barker is a British extreme metal drummer known for his 1993-1999 tenure in Cradle of Filth, recording five studio albums including "Dusk... and Her Embrace" (1996), and his 1999-2004 tenure in Dimmu Borgir, recording "Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia" (2001) and "Death Cult Armageddon" (2003). He also co-founded grindcore supergroup Lock Up in 1998.
What gear does Nick Barker use?
Barker is a confirmed Sonor drum artist, endorsed across his Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, and later touring/session career. Sonor's own artist materials don't publish a specific kit model, snare, cymbal, stick, or drumhead breakdown, so this guide recommends genre-appropriate Sonor and extreme-metal-standard equipment rather than guessing his exact spec.
What tempo should I practice at to sound like Nick Barker?
Practice in the 200-260 BPM range that covers sustained blast beats across his Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, and Lock Up work. Build endurance gradually at a moderate tempo before pushing toward the faster grindcore-level speeds.
What are the key techniques behind Nick Barker's drumming?
Three things define Barker's style: sustained, evenly-spaced blast beats held across full song lengths; tight, click-locked precision for Dimmu Borgir's symphonic arrangements; and short, explosive maximum-density blast bursts for his grindcore work in Lock Up.
What other bands has Nick Barker played in?
Beyond Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, Barker has been a member of grindcore supergroup Lock Up since 1998, and has done extensive session and touring work for Testament, Old Man's Child, Exodus, Brujeria, Gorgoroth/God Seed, Anaal Nathrakh, and Benediction.