# obZen Drum Setup: Tomas Haake's Legendary "Bleed" Gear Breakdown

> Complete breakdown of Tomas Haake's drum setup on Meshuggah's obZen. Discover the gear behind "Bleed" — the most demanding drum pattern ever recorded — and the polyrhythmic genius that spawned djent.

**Type:** Album Drum Setup
**Drummer(s):** [Tomas Haake](/llms/drummers/tomas-haake.md)
**Band / Album:** Meshuggah — *obZen* (2008)
**Genre:** Extreme Progressive Metal / Djent

## Overview

Released on March 7, 2008, Meshuggah's "obZen" didn't just push the boundaries of extreme metal — it obliterated them. At the center of this polyrhythmic storm was Tomas Haake, whose drumming reached levels of complexity and precision that many believed impossible for human execution.

The album was recorded at the band's own Fear and Loathing Studios in Stockholm, with Daniel Bergstrand handling engineering. After the experimental single-track approach of "Catch Thirtythree" (2005), obZen marked a return to "traditional" Meshuggah songwriting — if songs featuring rhythms that seem to exist in multiple time signatures simultaneously can be called traditional.

But nothing about obZen would become more legendary than "Bleed" — a seven-minute track featuring a continuous 32nd-note bass drum pattern that Tomas spent six months learning to play. The song became a benchmark for extreme metal drumming, inspiring countless drummers while simultaneously making them question their career choices.

This article breaks down every piece of gear Tomas used to create obZen, explores the techniques behind the album's mind-bending polyrhythms, and examines how one drum pattern changed metal drumming forever.

## Gear Breakdown

- **Drums:** Sonor Sonor Designer Series (pre-SQ2 era) (Piano Black finish)
- **Snare:** Sonor Sonor Designer Series Steel, 14" x 6"
- **Cymbals:** Sabian — Sabian AAX / AA
- **Hardware / Pedals:** Sonor Perfect Balance Pedal (x2 single pedals); Sonor 600 Series Hi-Hat Stand; Porter & Davies BC2 Throne; Vic Firth 5A American Classic
- **Heads:** Remo Ambassador Coated (batter), Remo Diplomat Snare Side (resonant)
- **Snare tuning:** Medium-high tension for attack, tight snare wires for clarity

### The Polyrhythmic Machine: Tomas's Sonor Setup

For obZen, Tomas Haake used his Sonor Designer Series kit, the predecessor to the SQ2 series he would later endorse. The maple shells with beech reinforcement provided the articulate attack and controlled sustain essential for Meshuggah's precise sound.

The most significant aspect of Tomas's setup is the double bass drum configuration with two SINGLE pedals — not a connected double pedal. This seemingly archaic approach is actually essential to his playing: it provides the foot independence needed for the complex polyrhythmic patterns that are Meshuggah's signature.

Using two single pedals means each foot operates completely independently, with no connecting linkage to affect feel or response. For "Bleed" and similar patterns, this independence is crucial — the two feet play different subdivisions simultaneously.

The relatively compact tom configuration (two rack toms, two floor toms) reflects Meshuggah's approach: this isn't music that requires extended tom runs. The focus is on the interplay between snare, bass drums, hi-hat, and crashes.

The 22" x 18" bass drums were tuned punchy and articulate with minimal sustain — essential for the rapid-fire patterns to remain clear and defined.

### The Crack of Precision

The snare sound on obZen is tight, cutting, and precisely articulated — essential for the complex syncopations that weave through Meshuggah's polyrhythmic tapestry. Tomas achieved this with a Sonor Designer Series steel snare, valued for its bright attack and consistent response.

The 14" x 6" dimensions provided a balance of crack and body. The steel shell delivered the brightness needed to cut through Meshuggah's dense guitar tones (all tuned to F standard) while maintaining enough depth for dynamic expression.

Tomas tuned the snare medium-high with tight snare wires, emphasizing attack and minimizing ring. In music where every snare hit occupies a precise rhythmic position (even when that position creates the illusion of displaced time), clarity is paramount.

The snare's role in Meshuggah is often to mark the "true" pulse of the music while the guitars and bass explore extended rhythmic cycles. Listeners subconsciously anchor to the snare, even as their minds struggle to parse the polyrhythms around it.

### Sabian Precision Arsenal

Tomas's cymbal setup for obZen was built around Sabian's AAX and AA series, favoring brightness and precision over warmth. In Meshuggah's mix, cymbals need to cut through the low-tuned guitars while maintaining definition.

The 14" AA Regular hi-hats were central to Tomas's playing. Much of Meshuggah's groove comes from the hi-hat patterns, which often follow the "true" pulse while hands and feet explore polyrhythmic territory. The Regular hi-hats provided the articulation needed for intricate open/closed patterns.

The AAX X-Plosion crashes (18" and 19") offered quick response and bright cut — essential for accents in music where every cymbal hit has a specific rhythmic purpose. Unlike more washy crashes, the X-Plosions delivered defined attacks.

The heavy 21" ride could withstand aggressive playing while maintaining bell clarity for accents. Tomas's ride work often provides the foundational pulse, making definition crucial.

The China cymbal provided the trashy explosions that punctuate section changes and create dynamic contrast in Meshuggah's otherwise metronomically precise arrangements.

## Key Facts

- Recorded at Fear and Loathing Studios, the band's personal facility in Stockholm
- "Bleed" features a 6-month-to-master bass drum pattern at 32nd notes
- The album spawned the djent genre and influenced countless bands
- Tomas used two single bass pedals — not a double pedal — for foot independence
- Two SINGLE bass drum pedals for complete foot independence
- Maple/beech shells for attack and controlled sustain
- Compact configuration — no need for extensive tom runs
- Bass drums tuned for maximum articulation with minimal sustain
- This setup evolved into the Sonor SQ2 relationship
- Estimated kit value: $5,000-7,000 (2008)
- Estimated snare value: $400-500 (2008)

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

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