# What's In Flo Mounier's Extreme Arsenal: Complete Gear Breakdown > Discover the exact drums, cymbals, and gear Flo Mounier uses to create Cryptopsy's legendary technical death metal. Complete breakdown of his Tama setup, Sabian cymbals, and the gear behind 30 years of extreme drumming. **Type:** Kit Breakdown **Drummer(s):** [Flo Mounier](/llms/drummers/flo-mounier.md) **Band / Album:** Cryptopsy **Genre:** Technical Death Metal ## Overview Since 1992, Flo Mounier has been pushing the boundaries of what's physically possible behind a drum kit. As the founding drummer and only constant member of Cryptopsy, he's spent three decades defining technical death metal drumming with a combination of jazz-influenced musicality and brutal extreme metal intensity. Born February 4, 1974, in Montreal, Quebec, Mounier's jazz background sets him apart from other extreme metal drummers. While most blast beat pioneers came from punk or thrash, Flo brought techniques from Buddy Rich and Dave Weckl into the death metal realm, creating something entirely new. His work on "None So Vile" (1996) is still considered one of the greatest technical achievements in metal drumming. Songs like "Phobophile" and "Slit Your Guts" feature sustained blast beats at 280+ BPM, complex polyrhythmic fills, and a level of precision that seemed impossible. Nearly three decades later, drummers still study these performances. What makes Flo unique isn't just speed — it's how he uses speed musically. His patterns are sophisticated, his dynamics are nuanced, and his jazz influences shine through even in the most brutal passages. This article breaks down the gear that enables his legendary performances. ## Gear Breakdown - **Drums:** Tama Tama Starclassic Maple (Dark Mocha Fade finish) - **Snare:** Tama Tama S.L.P. Classic Dry Aluminum, 14" x 5.5" - **Cymbals:** Sabian — Sabian AAX and HHX - **Hardware / Pedals:** Tama Speed Cobra 910 Twin Pedal; Tama Iron Cobra 200 Hi-Hat Stand; Tama 1st Chair Ergo-Rider; Vic Firth 5A American Classic - **Heads:** Evans EC Reverse Dot (batter), Evans Hazy 300 (resonant) - **Snare tuning:** High tension, very tight snare wires for maximum articulation ### Flo's Precision Arsenal: Tama Starclassic Flo Mounier's Tama Starclassic Maple kit might seem surprisingly modest for someone who plays some of the fastest, most complex music in metal. But that's the point — Flo's approach prioritizes response and precision over power and size. The single 22" x 18" bass drum is tuned for attack and articulation rather than massive low-end. At the tempos Flo plays (often 240-280 BPM), clarity is essential. A boomy bass drum would turn into mush; his tight tuning ensures every stroke is heard. The compact rack tom configuration (10" and 12") provides quick response for his lightning-fast fills. The Starclassic's 6mm maple shells are thin enough to be sensitive yet thick enough for projection. Flo's fills move around the kit melodically, treating toms as pitched instruments rather than noise makers. The floor toms at 14" and 16" anchor his sound when needed, but they're used sparingly. Flo's playing is primarily about hi-hat, snare, and bass drum precision — the toms are accent instruments. What's notable about Flo's setup is its relative simplicity. Unlike many extreme metal drummers who use massive kits, Flo proves that technical death metal is about the player, not the gear. ### The Heart of the Blast: Tama S.L.P. The snare drum is the most crucial element in Flo's setup. For sustained blast beats at extreme tempos, every stroke must be perfectly articulated. The Tama S.L.P. Classic Dry Aluminum delivers exactly that — instant response with minimal overtones. The 14" x 5.5" dimensions are standard, but the "Dry" treatment is key. The aluminum shell has special sound-dampening properties that reduce sustain and focus the sound. This prevents the "washing out" that happens when snare notes blend together at high speeds. Flo tunes the snare high with extremely tight snare wires. This maximizes attack and sensitivity while minimizing ring. The result is a snare that produces a consistent, cutting sound whether he's playing at 120 BPM or 280 BPM. For blast beats, the snare is struck alternating hands (traditional blast) or with the same hand (one-handed blast). Either way, the S.L.P. Dry responds identically to every stroke, giving Flo the consistency his music demands. The aluminum shell also provides natural projection that cuts through Cryptopsy's dense guitar tones. Even in the most chaotic sections, the snare is always audible. ### Sabian Precision: AAX and HHX Flo's cymbal choices reflect his precision-focused approach. He combines Sabian's AAX series (bright, cutting) with HHX (warmer, more complex) to create a palette that's both aggressive and musical. The 14" AAX X-Celerator Hi-Hats are essential for Flo's playing. The X-Celerator design features a rippled bottom cymbal that provides exceptionally clear articulation — critical when playing hi-hat patterns at extreme speeds. Every stroke is distinct, even during the fastest sections. For crashes, Flo uses the X-Plosion series in multiple sizes. These cymbals open quickly and decay fast, preventing wash buildup during busy sections. The 16" handles quick accents, the 18" serves as the primary crash, and the 19" HHX adds warmth for variety. The 20" AAX Metal Ride provides the clear stick definition needed for Flo's intricate ride patterns. He often plays complex patterns on the ride that would wash out on a larger, more resonant cymbal. The 18" X-Treme Chinese adds the aggressive, trashy accents that punctuate Cryptopsy's music. Flo uses the China sparingly but effectively, marking important transitions. ## Key Facts - Only constant member of Cryptopsy since 1992 - Jazz background influences his extreme metal technique - "None So Vile" considered a technical drumming landmark - Known for sustained blast beats at 280+ BPM - Accomplished drum educator conducting clinics worldwide - Single bass drum — no double bass drums needed at his speed - Compact configuration for quick response - Maple shells for warmth with articulation - Tight tuning emphasizes attack over resonance - Proves technical death metal doesn't require massive kits - Estimated kit value: $3,500-5,000 (Starclassic Maple custom configuration) - Estimated snare value: $350-450 (S.L.P. series) **Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/whats-in-flo-mouniers-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)*