# Stomp 442 Drum Setup: Charlie Benante's Anthrax Gear Breakdown (1995)

> Complete breakdown of Charlie Benante's drum setup on Anthrax's Stomp 442 (1995). DW Collector's Series Maple, Sabian cymbals, a Dimebag Darrell guest appearance, and the groove-metal pivot recorded without lead guitarist Dan Spitz.

**Type:** Album Drum Setup
**Drummer(s):** [Charlie Benante](/llms/drummers/charlie-benante.md)
**Band / Album:** Anthrax — *Stomp 442* (1995)
**Genre:** Groove Metal / Thrash Metal

## Overview

Released October 24, 1995, Stomp 442 pushed Anthrax further into the groove-metal territory opened up by Sound of White Noise (1993) — and did it without lead guitarist Dan Spitz, who departed during the album's writing. Lead guitar duties were filled by committee: touring guitarist Paul Crook played uncredited solos on four tracks, Pantera's Dimebag Darrell guested on "King Size" and "Riding Shotgun," Mike Tempesta contributed to "American Pompeii," and Charlie Benante himself filled in on guitar in places. The result is a heavier, more down-tuned record than its predecessor, produced by Anthrax alongside the Butcher Bros. (Mike and Chris Barbiero) at Studio 4 in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

For Charlie Benante, Stomp 442 is his second consecutive album on the DW Collector's Series Maple kit he switched to for Sound of White Noise — tuned lower and damped more heavily to match the album's denser guitar tone. "Random Acts of Senseless Violence," the opening track, is widely regarded as Benante's signature groove-over-blast showcase from this era, alternating sustained double bass runs with mid-tempo, pocket-heavy verses.

Stomp 442 debuted at #47 on the Billboard 200 and #77 on the UK Albums Chart, reaching #10 on the UK Rock & Metal Albums chart. The band felt Elektra Records under-promoted the release, and Stomp 442 became Anthrax's last album for the label — though it has since been reassessed as an underrated bridge record between Sound of White Noise and 1998's Volume 8: The Threat Is Real. For the next chapter, see the [Volume 8 drum setup](/articles/volume-8-drum-setup).

## Gear Breakdown

- **Drums:** DW Collector's Series Maple — dual 22" x 18" bass drums, three rack toms (10", 12", 13"), one 16" floor tom, tuned lower than the Sound of White Noise sessions
- **Snare:** DW Edge Series, 14" x 6.5" — solid maple shell with brass edge rings, tuned lower and fatter than 1993
- **Cymbals:** Sabian AA/HH — 14" AA Rock Hi-Hats, 16"/18"/19" AA Rock Crashes (19" added for this album), 21" AA Rock Ride, 18" AA Chinese
- **Hardware / Pedals:** DW 5000 Series chain-drive (two single pedals); DW 5500 Hi-Hat Stand; DW 5100 Throne
- **Sticks:** Pro-Mark Hickory 2B
- **Heads:** Remo Powerstroke 3 Clear (bass drums), Remo Emperor Coated (toms), Remo Coated Ambassador (snare batter)
- **Producer:** Anthrax and the Butcher Bros. at Studio 4, Conshohocken, PA
- **Label:** Elektra Records

### A Second Album on DW, Tuned Heavier

Stomp 442 carried forward the DW Collector's Series Maple kit and DW Edge snare introduced on Sound of White Noise, but the Butcher Bros.' tighter, more compressed production called for lower, more heavily damped bass drums and a fatter snare tuning than the room-heavy 1993 sessions. The Sabian cymbal setup gained a 19" AA Rock Crash for extra weight to match the album's heavier riffing — recorded without Dan Spitz's brighter rhythm guitar texture, the drums had to carry more of the album's low-end presence.

## Key Facts

- Released October 24, 1995 — first Anthrax album without lead guitarist Dan Spitz
- Dimebag Darrell (Pantera) guests on guitar on "King Size" and "Riding Shotgun"
- Produced by Anthrax and the Butcher Bros. at Studio 4, Conshohocken, PA
- "Random Acts of Senseless Violence" is the album's signature groove-over-blast showcase
- Debuted #47 US Billboard 200; #10 UK Rock & Metal Albums
- Anthrax's last studio album released on Elektra Records
- Second consecutive album on the DW Collector's Series Maple kit, with an added 19" AA Rock Crash
- For the prior chapter, see [Sound of White Noise drum setup](/articles/sound-of-white-noise-drum-setup)
- For the next chapter, see [Volume 8 drum setup](/articles/volume-8-drum-setup)

**Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/stomp-442-drum-setup

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