# Blackwater Park Drum Setup: Martin Lopez's Opeth Masterpiece

> Discover the drum kit, cymbals, and gear Martin Lopez used to record Opeth's landmark Blackwater Park album. Complete setup breakdown with recording techniques and track analysis.

**Type:** Album Drum Setup
**Drummer(s):** [Martin Lopez](/llms/drummers/martin-lopez.md)
**Band / Album:** Opeth — *Blackwater Park* (2001)
**Genre:** Progressive Death Metal

## Overview

Released on March 12, 2001, "Blackwater Park" isn't just Opeth's masterpiece—it's one of the defining albums of progressive death metal. The album achieved what seemed impossible: seamlessly weaving brutal death metal passages with delicate acoustic beauty, creating a 66-minute journey that felt both crushing and intimate.

At the heart of this achievement was drummer Martin Lopez. Born February 8, 1978, in Stockholm (raised in Mölndal), Lopez brought a jazz-influenced sensibility to extreme metal that few could match. His drumming on Blackwater Park is a masterclass in dynamic control—he could whisper with brushwork one moment and erupt into thunderous double bass the next, always serving the song's emotional arc.

The sessions took place at Fredman Studio in Gothenburg, Sweden, with an unusual collaborator at the helm: Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree. Wilson's progressive rock sensibilities merged with Opeth's death metal foundation to create something entirely new. His production captured Lopez's dynamics in ways previous extreme metal albums rarely achieved—you can hear the room breathe, the cymbals shimmer, the kick drum punch without being sterile.

Blackwater Park spawned instant classics like "The Leper Affinity," "Bleak," "Harvest," and the epic title track. Each showcased Lopez's ability to navigate complex arrangements while maintaining the emotional through-line. His performance on this album influenced a generation of progressive metal drummers.

This article breaks down every piece of gear Martin Lopez used during these legendary sessions, from his Sonor drums to his Sabian cymbals, and explores the recording techniques that captured one of metal's most dynamic drum sounds.

## Gear Breakdown

- **Drums:** Sonor Sonor Designer Series (Natural Maple finish)
- **Snare:** Sonor Sonor Designer Maple Snare, 14" x 5.5"
- **Cymbals:** Sabian — Sabian HH (Hand Hammered) & AAX Series
- **Hardware / Pedals:** DW 5000 Double Pedal; Sonor 600 Series Hi-Hat Stand; Roc-N-Soc Nitro; Vic Firth American Classic 5A
- **Heads:** Remo Ambassador Coated (batter), Remo Ambassador Snare Side (resonant)
- **Snare tuning:** Medium to medium-high for maximum responsiveness

### Martin's Studio Kit: The Sonor Setup

Martin Lopez's choice of Sonor drums for Blackwater Park reflected his musical sensibility—warm, articulate, and capable of expressing both power and subtlety. The German-made Designer Series offered the tonal versatility Opeth's material demanded.

The 22" x 18" bass drum provided the foundation for both the album's heaviest passages and its more subdued moments. Unlike the typical metal setup that prioritizes attack above all else, Lopez's deep kick drum offered body and resonance that blended with the guitars rather than fighting them. This was essential for Blackwater Park's dense yet clear production.

Lopez used a relatively minimal tom configuration: 10" and 12" rack toms with 14" and 16" floor toms. This four-tom setup provided enough voice variety for the progressive arrangements without becoming cluttered. The maple shells delivered warmth and sustain—critical for the album's softer passages where every drum voice needed to sing.

The natural maple finish wasn't just aesthetic; it indicated light lacquering that allowed the shells to resonate freely. Steven Wilson's production philosophy emphasized capturing natural instrument sounds, and Lopez's Sonor kit delivered organic tones that responded to his dynamic touch.

What set Lopez's approach apart was how he used the kit as one instrument rather than a collection of parts. His fills flowed naturally between drums, creating melodic phrases rather than just rhythmic patterns.

### The Snare That Breathes

The snare drum sound on Blackwater Park is distinctive—it cracks when it needs to, whispers when the music demands, and always sits perfectly in the mix. Lopez achieved this with a Sonor Designer maple snare that prioritized tone over pure attack.

At 14" x 5.5", the snare offered classic dimensions that worked across all the album's varied styles. The moderate depth provided enough body for the heavy sections while remaining responsive for ghost notes and delicate passages. Lopez's snare tone on tracks like "Harvest" is warm and musical, a far cry from the industrial-strength crack of typical death metal.

Steven Wilson's production captured the snare with unusual clarity for the genre. You can hear the drum's natural ring on quieter passages, while compression on heavier sections tightened the sound without losing character. This wasn't a triggered, sample-replaced snare—it was a real drum responding to real playing.

Lopez tuned the snare medium to medium-high, adjusting slightly between sessions for different songs. The key was responsiveness: he needed a drum that would speak clearly at any dynamic level, from the ghost notes in "Harvest" to the explosive fills in "The Leper Affinity."

The snare wires were tensioned to provide sensitivity without excessive buzz—crucial for the album's acoustic passages where any unwanted noise would be audible.

### The Sabian Arsenal

Martin Lopez's cymbal selection for Blackwater Park reveals his musical priorities: warmth, complexity, and dynamic response over pure volume and cut. His combination of Sabian HH (Hand Hammered) and AAX cymbals provided tools for both the album's brutal and beautiful moments.

The 14" HH Regular Hi-Hats were central to Lopez's sound. Unlike brighter, cutting hi-hats favored by most metal drummers, the HH series offered a darker, more complex tone that blended with acoustic guitars and clean passages. When closed tight for aggressive playing, they still cut through; when played loosely, they shimmered rather than splashed.

Lopez notably used two ride cymbals—uncommon in death metal but essential for Blackwater Park's progressive elements. The 20" HH Medium Ride provided wash and complexity for the album's atmospheric sections, while the 22" Raw Bell Dry Ride offered articulation for heavier parts where note definition was critical. This dual-ride approach let Lopez choose his voice based on the musical context.

The crash cymbals bridged both series: a brighter AAX Stage Crash for cutting accents during heavy sections, and a darker HH Medium Crash for musical sustain during progressive passages. This combination meant Lopez never had to compromise—the right voice was always within reach.

The China cymbal added the aggression needed for death metal transitions without overwhelming the nuanced sections that surrounded them. Lopez used it sparingly but effectively, as an exclamation point rather than a constant presence.

## Key Facts

- Recorded at Fredman Studio, Gothenburg in late 2000
- Produced by Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), mixed by Steven Wilson & Mikael Åkerfeldt
- Martin Lopez's jazz-influenced playing defined the album's dynamics
- Seamless transitions between death metal brutality and acoustic passages
- Considered one of the greatest progressive metal albums ever recorded
- Sonor Designer Series chosen for warmth and articulation
- Single bass drum despite demanding double-bass passages
- Maple shells for balanced tone across dynamics
- Natural finish allowed maximum resonance
- Minimal configuration kept the sound focused
- Estimated kit value: $3,500-5,000 (2001) / $4,000-6,000 (comparable setup today)
- Estimated snare value: $400-600

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

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*Last updated: 2026-06-16 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*