# Dance of Death Drum Setup: Nicko McBrain's Gear on Iron Maiden's 2003 Gothic Epic

> The complete gear breakdown for Iron Maiden's Dance of Death (2003). Discover the Premier Artist kit, Paiste Signature cymbals, and single bass drum technique behind 'Paschendale,' 'Rainmaker,' and Nicko McBrain's performance on the UK #2 album.

**Type:** Album Drum Setup
**Drummer(s):** [Nicko McBrain](/llms/drummers/nicko-mcbrain.md)
**Band / Album:** Iron Maiden — *Dance of Death* (2003)
**Genre:** Heavy Metal / NWOBHM
**Chart Peak:** #2 UK, #19 US Billboard 200

## Overview

Released on September 8, 2003, Dance of Death is Iron Maiden's ninth studio album and the second to feature the reunited classic lineup of Bruce Dickinson, Adrian Smith, Dave Murray, Janick Gers, Steve Harris, and Nicko McBrain following Brave New World (2000). It debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and reached number 19 on the US Billboard 200, confirming the reunion's commercial staying power.

For Nicko McBrain, Dance of Death continued the creative renaissance the reunion had sparked. Produced by Kevin Shirley and Steve Harris at Sarm West Studios in London, the album leaned into darker, more gothic subject matter than Brave New World — reflected in the cover art's macabre tarot-card imagery and the title track's fireside-seance narrative.

The album's centerpiece is 'Paschendale,' an eight-minute epic chronicling the WWI Battle of Passchendaele. It demanded some of Nicko's most dynamically varied drumming of the era — shifting between funereal, atmospheric passages and full-throttle double-time gallops within a single track. Lead single 'Wildest Dreams' and the driving 'Rainmaker,' which reached the UK Top 20, gave the album its commercial backbone, while closer 'Journeyman' — a rare acoustic-leaning Iron Maiden track — showcased Nicko's restraint.

Dance of Death fills the essential gap between [Brave New World (2000)](/articles/brave-new-world-drum-setup) and [A Matter of Life and Death (2006)](/articles/a-matter-of-life-and-death-drum-setup) in Nicko McBrain's 21st-century discography — the album where the reunion-era band fully committed to longer, more ambitious song structures.

## Gear Breakdown

- **Drums:** Premier Artist (birch/basswood shells)
- **Snare:** Premier Signia, 14" x 6.5", maple shell
- **Cymbals:** Paiste Signature series
- **Hardware / Pedals:** Premier single bass drum pedal; Premier hi-hat stand; Vic Firth Nicko McBrain Signature sticks
- **Heads:** Remo Ambassador Coated (batter), Remo Ambassador Clear (kick)
- **Snare tuning:** Medium tension for warmth and dynamic range

### Premier Artist Kit

Nicko McBrain recorded Dance of Death on the same Premier Artist kit that had served him on Brave New World — birch/basswood shells, three rack toms (10, 12, and 13 inch), two floor toms (16 and 18 inch), and the unwavering single 22-inch bass drum. Kevin Shirley's production again favored a forward, powerful drum sound, and the Premier shells' punchy attack suited Sarm West Studios' live room.

The three-rack-tom configuration proved essential on 'Paschendale,' where Nicko's fills had to traverse the track's many distinct sections — from a hushed, marching intro to a crushing, double-time climax. The two floor toms carried the cascading patterns marking the song's most dramatic transitions.

### Paiste Signature Cymbals

Nicko's Paiste Signature setup on Dance of Death carried over directly from Brave New World — Signature 14-inch Sound Edge hi-hats, 16 and 18-inch Medium Crashes, a 20-inch Power Ride, an 18-inch Thin China, and a 10-inch Splash. The darker, more tonally complex Signature range suited the album's gothic subject matter.

The 20-inch Power Ride was central to 'Paschendale,' guiding the listener through the track's many tempo and dynamic shifts — from near-ambient intro to crushing, double-time finale. The China cymbal's aggressive accent marked the song's most violent transitions, fitting for a track about trench warfare.

### 'Paschendale' Technique

'Paschendale' is widely regarded as Dance of Death's drumming centerpiece. Nicko McBrain navigates the track's many sections — a hushed, marching intro, a dramatic mid-song build, and a crushing double-time climax — entirely on his single bass drum pedal. The performance demonstrates the dynamic range and stamina single-pedal technique can sustain across an eight-minute composition.

## Key Facts

- Dance of Death debuted at #2 UK and #19 US Billboard 200
- Second studio album of the reunited classic Iron Maiden lineup
- 'Rainmaker' reached the UK Top 20
- 'Paschendale' is an eight-minute WWI epic widely cited as a fan favorite
- Premier Artist kit and Paiste Signature cymbals carried over from Brave New World
- Single bass drum throughout — Nicko's lifelong single-pedal commitment
- Recorded at Sarm West Studios, London, produced by Kevin Shirley and Steve Harris
- 'Journeyman' is a rare acoustic-leaning Iron Maiden closer
- Fills the Brave New World → Dance of Death → A Matter of Life and Death arc
- Estimated kit value: $2,500–3,500 (2003)

## Internal Links

- [Nicko McBrain Drummer Profile](/drummer/nicko-mcbrain) — complete career gear history and technique
- [Brave New World Drum Setup (2000)](/articles/brave-new-world-drum-setup) — the preceding reunion album
- [A Matter of Life and Death Drum Setup (2006)](/articles/a-matter-of-life-and-death-drum-setup) — the concept-album follow-up

## FAQ

**What drums does Nicko McBrain use on Dance of Death?**
Nicko McBrain recorded Dance of Death (2003) on a Premier Artist kit — the same professional setup used on Brave New World. The configuration featured a single 22-inch bass drum, three rack toms (10, 12, and 13 inch), and two floor toms (16 and 18 inch), with birch/basswood shells delivering a punchy, focused tone suited to Kevin Shirley's powerful production at Sarm West Studios.

**Where did Dance of Death chart?**
Dance of Death debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and reached number 19 on the US Billboard 200 in September 2003. The single 'Rainmaker' reached the UK Top 20, helping drive the album's commercial profile and confirming that Iron Maiden's reunion-era momentum, established with Brave New World, was sustained rather than a one-off.

**What is Dance of Death's most notable track for drumming?**
'Paschendale,' an eight-minute epic about the WWI Battle of Passchendaele, is widely regarded as Dance of Death's drumming centerpiece. Nicko McBrain navigates the track's hushed intro, dramatic mid-song build, and crushing double-time climax — all powered by his single bass drum pedal. See the [Nicko McBrain drummer profile](/drummer/nicko-mcbrain) for his single-pedal technique breakdown.

**Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/dance-of-death-drum-setup

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*Last updated: 2026-06-30 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*