# What's In Art Cruz' Lamb of God Arsenal: Complete Gear Breakdown > Discover the complete drum setup of Lamb of God's Art Cruz. From his Ludwig drums to Zildjian cymbals and Trick pedals — the gear behind one of modern metal's most demanding drum seats. **Type:** Kit Breakdown **Drummer(s):** [Art Cruz](/llms/drummers/art-cruz.md) **Band / Album:** Lamb of God **Genre:** Groove Metal / American Metal ## Overview When Chris Adler departed Lamb of God in 2019, the band faced a daunting challenge: finding a drummer who could honor one of groove metal's most distinctive and demanding drum legacies while bringing fresh energy to a band that had been defining American metal for two decades. Art Cruz was that drummer. Born Arthur Robert T Peyton Cruz on May 27, 1988, in Downey, California, Cruz had built his reputation through years of touring and recording with Winds of Plague and Prong. When he filled in for Adler on Lamb of God's 2018 North American tour supporting Slayer's farewell trek, he proved he could handle one of metal's most technically demanding catalogs. By 2019, the fill-in gig became permanent. What sets Cruz apart isn't just technical ability — it's his approach to the role. He didn't try to be Chris Adler 2.0. Instead, he learned Adler's intricate parts with respect while adding his own power and consistency. The result? Lamb of God's 2020 self-titled album and 2022's "Omens" showcased a band that had evolved without losing its identity. Cruz brings a unique background to Lamb of God. His years with Winds of Plague gave him deathcore intensity; his time with Prong added industrial groove sensibility. Combined with meticulous preparation and relentless work ethic, he's proven himself a worthy successor to one of metal's most iconic drum seats. This is the gear that powers Lamb of God's current era. ## Gear Breakdown - **Drums:** Ludwig Ludwig Classic Maple (Custom finishes (varies by tour) finish) - **Snare:** Ludwig Ludwig 14" x 6.5" Snare (varies), 14" x 6.5" - **Cymbals:** Zildjian — A Custom / K Series - **Hardware / Pedals:** Trick Pro 1-V Bigfoot Double Pedal; Gibraltar 9707ML-DP Hi-Hat Stand; Gibraltar 9709 Series; Roc-N-Soc Nitro Original; Vic Firth 5B or Power 5B - **Heads:** Evans G2 Coated or HD Dry (batter), Evans Hazy 300 (resonant) - **Snare tuning:** Medium-high tension for punch and articulation ### Art's Lamb of God Arsenal: The Ludwig Setup Art Cruz's kit setup for Lamb of God centers on Ludwig Classic Maple drums — a choice that provides the warm, punchy tone that complements Lamb of God's down-tuned groove metal sound. The Classic Maple series offers versatility across the band's diverse catalog, from crushing breakdowns to intricate ride patterns. The 22" x 18" bass drum is the foundation of Cruz's sound. The deeper shell provides the low-end punch that Lamb of God's music demands while maintaining the articulation needed for Cruz's intricate double bass patterns. Unlike his predecessor Chris Adler, who used double bass drums, Cruz achieves his footwork on a single kick with a Trick double pedal. The four-tom configuration (10", 12", 14", 16") gives Cruz the melodic options he needs for Lamb of God's arrangement-heavy compositions. His fills are functional but creative — serving the songs rather than showing off, a philosophy that serves LOG's groove-oriented approach perfectly. The Classic Maple shells deliver warmth and projection — essential when competing with Mark Morton and Willie Adler's massive guitar tones. The kit cuts through without becoming harsh, a balance that's crucial for Lamb of God's dense, layered production style. ### The Groove Metal Crack Art Cruz's snare sound is central to Lamb of God's groove — the crack that punctuates the syncopated riffs and drives the band's relentless forward momentum. He uses Ludwig snares, typically in the 14" x 6.5" size range, choosing between maple for warmth and brass for cut depending on the material. The 6.5" depth provides the body that Lamb of God's sound requires. Unlike some metal drummers who favor shallow, high-tuned snares, Cruz's snare has presence and authority. The tuning is medium-high — tight enough for articulation but not so high that it loses power. For live shows, the snare needs to cut through Lamb of God's massive wall of guitars while maintaining the groove feel. Cruz achieves this with careful tuning and head selection — typically coated heads for warmth with enough body to project at arena volumes. The snare sound on "Omens" demonstrates Cruz's approach: punchy, present, and serving the groove. Listen to tracks like "Nevermore" or "Grayscale" — the snare cracks with authority while never overwhelming the intricate guitar work. ### The Zildjian Arsenal Art Cruz is a Zildjian Cymbals endorser, building his setup around the A Custom series — bright, articulate cymbals that cut through Lamb of God's dense guitar arrangements while maintaining musical quality. The 14" A Custom Hi-Hats are the foundation of his groove work. Lamb of God's rhythmic complexity requires hi-hats that respond instantly to dynamic changes — tight for the groove sections, open for accents, half-open for the in-between moments that give LOG songs their feel. His crash selection spans from 17" to 19", providing tonal variety for different song sections. The A Custom's brilliant finish adds projection without harshness — essential when competing with down-tuned 7-string guitars. The 21" A Custom ride handles both clear bell patterns and crash-riding during intense passages. LOG's songs often feature extended ride sections where definition matters, and the A Custom delivers stick articulation without excessive wash. The China cymbal is essential for LOG's aggressive accents — those trashy explosions that punctuate riffs and signal transitions. Cruz uses it sparingly but effectively, maintaining its impact by not overusing it. ## Key Facts - Lamb of God drummer since 2019, succeeding Chris Adler - First filled in on 2018 Slayer Farewell Tour support dates - Previous bands: Winds of Plague, Prong - First studio album with LOG: "Lamb of God" (2020) - Ludwig Drums and Zildjian Cymbals endorser - Trick Pro 1-V Bigfoot pedals for demanding double bass patterns - Ludwig Classic Maple for warm, punchy tone - Single bass drum with Trick double pedal - Four-tom configuration for melodic flexibility - Maple shells balance warmth and projection - Setup respects LOG's established sound while adding Cruz's power - Estimated kit value: $4,000-6,000 (Ludwig Classic Maple configuration) - Estimated snare value: $400-700 (Ludwig professional snare) **Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/whats-in-art-cruzs-kit **More LLM resources:** [Site index](/llms.txt) · [Full database](/llms-full.txt) · [Master FAQ](/llms/faq.md) · [Drummer index](/llms/index.md) *Last updated: 2026-06-16 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*