# Lamb of God "Omens" Drum Setup: Art Cruz's 2022 Album

> Who plays drums on Lamb of God's Omens (2022)? Art Cruz's second studio album with the band — Ludwig Classic Oak kit, raw brass snare, Zildjian A Custom cymbals, and the gear behind the record that confirmed him as Chris Adler's successor.

**Type:** Album Drum Setup
**Drummer(s):** [Art Cruz](/llms/drummers/art-cruz.md)
**Band / Album:** Lamb of God — *Omens* (2022)
**Genre:** Groove Metal / New Wave of American Heavy Metal
**Label:** Epic Records / Nuclear Blast
**Studio:** Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California
**Producer:** Josh Wilbur
**Release Date:** October 7, 2022

## Overview

Released October 7, 2022, "Omens" is Lamb of God's ninth studio album and Art Cruz's second studio album with the band, following his 2020 self-titled debut. The record confirmed Cruz as the permanent successor to Chris Adler, who stepped away from Lamb of God in 2019 after recording every studio album from New American Gospel (2000) through VII: Sturm und Drang (2015). Cruz first filled in for Adler on Lamb of God's 2018 North American tour supporting Slayer's farewell run before taking the seat permanently.

Omens debuted at #15 on the Billboard 200, #1 on Top Hard Rock Albums, and #3 on Top Rock Albums. It was produced by longtime collaborator Josh Wilbur at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles, with much of the album tracked live with the full band playing together in the room.

Ludwig confirmed Cruz's Omens-era gear directly: a Classic Oak series kit in Brown Burst, paired with a raw (unplated) brass snare. For the predecessor era, see the [Sacrament drum setup (2006)](/articles/sacrament-drum-setup) and the [Wrath drum setup (2009)](/articles/wrath-drum-setup).

## Gear Breakdown

- **Drums:** Ludwig Classic Oak, Brown Burst finish (twin 22"x16" bass drums, 10"/12" rack toms, 16"/18" floor toms)
- **Snare:** Ludwig raw brass snare, 14" x 6.5" (unplated brass shell)
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Custom series (14" hi-hats, 17"/19" crashes, 21" A Custom 20th Anniversary Ride, 18" China)
- **Pedals:** Trick Pro 1-V Bigfoot (direct-drive double pedal)
- **Hardware:** Gibraltar 9707ML-DP hi-hat stand; Roc-N-Soc Nitro Original throne
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5B / Power 5B
- **Heads:** Evans EMAD2 (kick batter), Evans G2 Clear (tom batter), Evans G2 Coated/HD Dry (snare batter)

### Ludwig Classic Oak: A Harder, More Cutting Tone

Oak is a denser, harder tonewood than the maple and mahogany hybrids Chris Adler used on Sacrament and Wrath, trading some natural sustain for a louder, more cutting fundamental — well suited to projecting over Lamb of God's down-tuned, dual seven-string guitar attack. Twin 22" bass drums carried over from Cruz's touring rig, giving Omens both the stage presence and low-end weight the band's arena-level production demands.

### The Raw Brass Snare

Ludwig specifically highlighted Cruz's raw, unplated brass snare when promoting Omens — a finish that leaves the brass shell more resonant and slightly more aggressive-sounding than a lacquered or chrome equivalent, continuing the Ludwig Black Beauty brass-shell lineage in a rawer form.

## Key Facts

- Lamb of God's ninth studio album, released October 7, 2022 via Epic Records / Nuclear Blast
- Art Cruz's second studio album with the band, after his 2020 self-titled debut
- Confirms Cruz as Chris Adler's permanent successor following Adler's 2019 departure
- Debuted at #15 Billboard 200, #1 Top Hard Rock Albums, #3 Top Rock Albums
- Produced by Josh Wilbur at Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles; tracked largely live in the room
- Ludwig confirmed Cruz's Classic Oak (Brown Burst) kit and raw brass snare for the Omens sessions
- Cruz first filled in for Adler on the 2018 Slayer Farewell Tour support dates
- Fills the 7-year gap between VII: Sturm und Drang (2015) and the present in Lamb of God's discography
- Estimated kit value: $3,500-5,500 (Classic Oak configuration)
- Estimated snare value: $400-700 (raw brass)

## FAQ

**Q: Who is the drummer on Lamb of God's Omens?**
A: Art Cruz played drums on Lamb of God's Omens (2022) — his second studio album with the band, following his 2020 self-titled debut. He became the band's permanent drummer in 2019 after Chris Adler's departure.

**Q: What kit does Art Cruz use?**
A: For Omens, Cruz played a Ludwig Classic Oak kit in Brown Burst with a raw brass Ludwig snare, both confirmed by Ludwig at the time of release. He also uses Zildjian A Custom cymbals, Trick Pro 1-V Bigfoot pedals, Gibraltar hardware, and Vic Firth 5B sticks.

**Q: What replaced Chris Adler in Lamb of God?**
A: Art Cruz replaced Chris Adler. Adler recorded every Lamb of God album from New American Gospel (2000) through VII: Sturm und Drang (2015) before stepping away in 2019. Cruz, previously of Winds of Plague and Prong, had filled in for Adler on the 2018 Slayer Farewell Tour before taking the seat permanently.

**Q: When was Omens released and how did it chart?**
A: Omens was released October 7, 2022, debuting at #15 on the Billboard 200, #1 on Top Hard Rock Albums, and #3 on Top Rock Albums.

## Internal Links

- [Art Cruz drummer profile](/drummer/art-cruz)
- [Lamb of God Sacrament Drum Setup (2006)](/articles/sacrament-drum-setup)
- [Lamb of God Wrath Drum Setup (2009)](/articles/wrath-drum-setup)
- [What's In Art Cruz's Kit](/articles/whats-in-art-cruzs-kit)
- [What's In Chris Adler's Kit](/articles/whats-in-chris-adlers-kit)

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

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