# Sepultura Arise Drum Setup: Igor Cavalera's 1991 Gear Breakdown

> Discover the exact drum kit and gear Igor Cavalera used to record Sepultura's Arise — the thrash masterpiece that preceded Chaos A.D. Complete 1991 setup breakdown.

**Type:** Album Drum Setup
**Drummer(s):** [Igor Cavalera](/llms/drummers/igor-cavalera.md)
**Band / Album:** Sepultura — *Arise* (1991)
**Genre:** Thrash Metal / Death Metal

## Overview

Released in April 1991, "Arise" stands as Sepultura's most technically demanding album and the definitive bridge between the raw Brazilian thrash of "Beneath the Remains" and the groove-metal revolution of "Chaos A.D." It is the album where Igor Cavalera transformed from a prodigiously gifted teenager into one of the most formidable drummers in extreme metal.

Returning to Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida, and once again working with producer Scott Burns, Sepultura arrived in 1990 as a band on the verge of international breakthrough. Two years of relentless touring behind "Beneath the Remains" had forged Igor into a technically precise, physically powerful drummer. His practice regimen had intensified, his double-bass control had deepened, and his musical vocabulary had expanded far beyond the straight thrash attack of the previous record.

What Igor delivered on "Arise" shocked listeners who thought they had already heard his ceiling. The title track opens with one of thrash metal's most punishing drum introductions — a double-bass barrage that sets the tempo for nine songs of unrelenting aggression. "Dead Embryonic Cells" showcases blast beats that rival anything in contemporary death metal. "Subtraction" pushes the tempo past anything Sepultura had recorded before. Yet through all of this intensity, Igor never loses the pocket — every hit lands with purpose, every fill serves the arrangement.

The album charted in several European countries and went Gold in Brazil, exposing Igor's drumming to its widest audience yet. For many metal fans worldwide, "Arise" remains the definitive Sepultura album — and Igor Cavalera's definitive performance.

## Gear Breakdown

- **Drums:** Tama Artstar II (Black finish) — birch shells with Star-Cast mounting
- **Snare:** Tama Steel Snare, 14" x 6.5"
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Series
- **Hardware / Pedals:** Tama Iron Cobra (early version); Tama HH55W; Tama HT730; Pro-Mark 5B Wood Tip
- **Heads:** Remo Emperor Coated (batter), Remo Ambassador Snare Side (resonant)
- **Snare tuning:** High tension for fast articulation and maximum crack

### Igor's 1991 Thrash Peak: The Tama Artstar II

By the time Sepultura entered Morrisound to record "Arise," Igor Cavalera had upgraded to a Tama Artstar II kit — a significant step up from the Pearl Export used on "Beneath the Remains." The Artstar II was renowned throughout the metal world for its birch shells, which delivered a sharper, more aggressive attack than maple alternatives. For Igor's thrash metal assault, birch was the perfect choice.

The dual 22" x 16" bass drums remained the cornerstone of Igor's setup. The touring years between the two Morrisound sessions had refined his double-bass technique into something genuinely formidable in its precision and power. The title track, "Dead Embryonic Cells," and "Altered State" all feature double-bass passages that demonstrate this leap in command.

Tama's Star-Cast mounting system allowed the drums to resonate more freely than conventional mounted designs, contributing to the fuller, more resonant tom sound audible on "Arise." Igor expanded to three rack toms (10", 12", 13") for more elaborate fill options and descending tom runs used to dramatic effect throughout the album.

### The Precision Strike: Steel Authority

The snare on "Arise" is among Igor Cavalera's finest studio tones — a cutting, authoritative crack that sits perfectly in Scott Burns' dense mix. Tuned tight for articulation at extreme speeds, every backbeat commands attention and every hit lands with ceremonial precision.

### Zildjian Aggression: Cutting Through the Mix

Igor moved to Zildjian A Series cymbals for "Arise." The A Series' bright, cutting tone sliced through dense multi-tracked guitars without becoming harsh. The 14" Heavy Hi-Hats drive the album's fastest sections with relentless 16th-note patterns. The A 18" China Boy High delivers the trashy explosive accents that punctuate riff transitions — a signature element of the Sepultura sound that Scott Burns captured with close miking for maximum impact.

## Key Facts

- Recorded at Morrisound Recording, Tampa, Florida — same facility as Beneath the Remains
- Produced by Scott Burns for the second consecutive Sepultura album
- Two years of touring refined Igor's double-bass technique to peak precision
- Charted in multiple European countries; went Gold in Brazil
- Upgraded from Pearl Export to Tama Artstar II with birch shells
- Switched from Paiste 2002 to Zildjian A Series cymbals
- No drum samples or triggers — all natural acoustic performance
- Estimated kit value: $2,000-3,000 (1991) / $3,500-5,500 (vintage today)
- Estimated snare value: $250-400 (1991)
- Relayed album arc: [Beneath the Remains](/llms/articles/beneath-the-remains-drum-setup.md) → Arise → [Chaos A.D.](/llms/articles/chaos-ad-drum-setup.md) → [Roots](/llms/articles/roots-drum-setup.md)

## FAQ

**What drum kit did Igor Cavalera use on Arise?**
On Sepultura's Arise recorded in 1990 and released in 1991, Igor Cavalera played a Tama Artstar II kit with birch shells. The setup included dual 22x16 inch bass drums, three rack toms in 10, 12, and 13 inch sizes, and a single 16 inch floor tom. This was a significant professional upgrade from the Pearl Export he used on Beneath the Remains, with the Artstar II's birch shells delivering sharper attack and greater resonance.

**What cymbals did Igor Cavalera use on Arise?**
On Arise in 1991, Igor Cavalera used Zildjian A Series cymbals including A 14 inch Heavy hi-hats, A 16 and 18 inch Medium Crashes, an A 20 inch Medium Ride, and an A 18 inch China Boy High. This represented a change from the Paiste 2002 series used on Beneath the Remains.

**Where was Arise recorded and who produced it?**
Arise was recorded at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida, produced by Scott Burns — the same team behind Beneath the Remains. Burns captured the drums without samples or triggers, with every sound coming from Igor performing live in the Morrisound live room.

**Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/arise-drum-setup

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*Last updated: 2026-06-25 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*