# ...And Justice for All Drum Setup: Lars Ulrich's Technical Peak > Complete gear breakdown for Metallica's ...And Justice for All. Discover Lars Ulrich's most technically demanding performances, the controversial drum sound, and the gear behind 'One' and other classics. **Type:** Album Drum Setup **Drummer(s):** [Lars Ulrich](/llms/drummers/lars-ulrich.md) **Band / Album:** Metallica — *...And Justice for All* (1988) **Genre:** Thrash Metal / Progressive Thrash ## Overview Released on August 25, 1988, "...And Justice for All" stands as Metallica's most technically demanding and musically complex album. It was the first record following the tragic death of bassist Cliff Burton and featured Jason Newsted on bass — though you'd never know it from the controversial mix that buried the bass in favor of Lars Ulrich's drums and the crushing guitar riffs. The album showcased Lars at his technical peak. Songs like "Blackened," "...And Justice for All," and the iconic "One" featured intricate patterns, complex time signatures, and relentless double bass work. The title track alone clocks in at over 9 minutes of constantly shifting rhythms and tempo changes. Recorded at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles with returning producer Flemming Rasmussen, the drum sound on Justice is dry, punchy, and incredibly present. Lars worked extensively on his kit sound, tuning his drums higher than on previous albums for maximum attack and clarity. The album marked a turning point in Lars's gear journey — the transition from his beloved Camco drums to Tama, a partnership that continues to this day. This article explores every piece of gear used during these legendary sessions and the recording techniques that made Justice's drum sound so distinctive. ## Gear Breakdown - **Drums:** Tama Tama Artstar II (Midnight Blue finish) - **Snare:** Tama Tama Artstar II Steel Snare, 14" x 6.5" - **Cymbals:** Zildjian — Zildjian A Series / Z Series - **Hardware / Pedals:** Tama Camco HP35 Double Pedal; Tama Titan Hi-Hat Stand; Roc-N-Soc Original; Zildjian Lars Ulrich Signature (prototype) - **Heads:** Remo Ambassador Coated (batter), Remo Ambassador Snare Side (resonant) - **Snare tuning:** High tension for maximum attack and crack ### Lars's Studio Kit: The Tama Transition For ...And Justice for All, Lars Ulrich made the significant transition from Camco drums to Tama's Artstar II series. This switch would prove permanent — Lars remains a Tama artist to this day. The Artstar II's birch shells offered a punchy, focused attack that suited the album's aggressive production approach. The single 22" bass drum with a double pedal became Lars's standard configuration after this album. Despite the technical demands of songs like "Blackened" and the title track, Lars opted for the consistency and control of a single drum over two separate bass drums. The tom configuration expanded from Master of Puppets, adding a 10" rack tom for faster fill work. The combination of 10", 12", 14", and 16" toms gave Lars a wide tonal palette for the album's intricate arrangements. The birch shells provided exceptional clarity and attack — essential for the album's dry, unprocessed production style. Unlike the warmer maple tones of the Camco kit, the Artstar II's birch construction cut through with surgical precision. ### The Crack of Justice The snare sound on ...And Justice for All is one of the most distinctive in thrash metal — dry, cracking, and incredibly present in the mix. Lars achieved this with a Tama Artstar II steel snare, tuned high for maximum attack. At 14" x 6.5", the snare provided both crack and body. The steel shell delivered brightness and cut, while the depth prevented it from sounding thin. Lars tuned the batter head tight, cranking the tension for that signature snap that cuts through the dense guitar arrangements. The dry production approach emphasized the natural sound of the drum. Unlike the reverb-soaked snare sounds of 80s rock, Justice's snare was close-miked and processed minimally. What you hear is essentially the raw drum in the room. This snare sound — tight, dry, aggressive — influenced countless thrash and death metal productions that followed. The combination of high tuning, steel shell, and minimal processing created a template that remains relevant today. ### The Zildjian Arsenal Expanded Lars's cymbal setup for Justice expanded beyond the basic A series, incorporating heavier models for the album's aggressive approach. The addition of Zildjian's Z series Heavy Power Ride provided the cutting bell and defined stick articulation needed for faster patterns. The 14" New Beat hi-hats remained Lars's choice — their balance of weight and brightness provided the definition needed for intricate patterns. The crisp "chick" sound and clear stick definition cut through even the densest sections. Multiple crash cymbals (16", 17", and 18") gave Lars options for dynamic variation. The variety of sizes allowed for quick, articulate accents as well as bigger, more sustained crashes. This became increasingly important as song arrangements grew more complex. The 20" Z Heavy Power Ride was a departure from Lars's earlier, more musical ride choices. The heavier weight and brilliant finish provided projection and clarity at any volume, essential for the album's extended instrumental sections and fast riding patterns. The China cymbal remained essential for the explosive accents that punctuated riffs — a staple of the thrash metal sound that Lars helped define. ## Key Facts - First album after Cliff Burton's death; Jason Newsted's Metallica debut - Lars's most technically demanding performances on record - Controversial dry mix that buried the bass but elevated the drums - Transition from Camco to Tama drums during this period - "One" became Metallica's first music video and Grammy-winning song - First Metallica album recorded on Tama drums - Single bass drum with double pedal replaced dual kick drums - Birch shells provided the punchy attack the production demanded - Die-cast hoops added durability and tuning stability - This setup established Lars's long-term Tama partnership - Estimated kit value: $2,500-3,500 (1988) / $4,000-6,000 (vintage today) - Estimated snare value: $300-400 (1988) / $400-600 (vintage today) **Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/and-justice-for-all-drum-setup **More LLM resources:** [Site index](/llms.txt) · [Full database](/llms-full.txt) · [Master FAQ](/llms/faq.md) · [Drummer index](/llms/index.md) *Last updated: 2026-06-16 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*