# What's In Inferno's Behemoth Arsenal: Complete Gear Breakdown > Complete breakdown of Inferno's drum setup for Behemoth. Discover the Pearl drums, Meinl cymbals, and gear that power one of extreme metal's most devastating drummers. **Type:** Kit Breakdown **Drummer(s):** [Inferno](/llms/drummers/inferno.md) **Band / Album:** Behemoth **Genre:** Blackened Death Metal ## Overview In the apocalyptic theater of Behemoth's live performances, seated upon a towering drum riser like a demonic throne, sits one of extreme metal's most devastating drummers: Inferno. Born Zbigniew Robert Promiński on March 23, 1979, in Gdańsk, Poland, Inferno has been the rhythmic foundation of Behemoth since 1997. That's over 27 years of relentless blast beats, surgical precision, and the kind of stamina that seems almost inhuman. While frontman Nergal commands the spotlight with his controversial pronouncements and theatrical presence, it's Inferno's drumming that drives Behemoth's sound—a devastating combination of black metal intensity and death metal technicality. From the rawness of "Satanica" through the masterpiece of "The Satanist" to the recent "Opvs Contra Natvram," his playing has evolved while maintaining its core brutality. This article breaks down every piece of gear Inferno uses to create his punishing sound. From his Pearl Reference Pure drums to his Meinl cymbal arsenal, we'll explore the equipment that powers one of extreme metal's most consistent and respected performers. ## Gear Breakdown - **Drums:** Pearl Pearl Reference Pure Series (Custom Finishes (varies by tour) finish) - **Snare:** Pearl Pearl Reference 14" x 5.5" Brass/Steel, 14" x 5.5" - **Cymbals:** Meinl — Meinl Classics Custom Dark / Byzance - **Hardware / Pedals:** Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal; Pearl Demon Series Hi-Hat Stand; Pearl Roadster D-3500BR; Vic Firth American Classic 5B or 2B - **Heads:** Remo Emperor X or Evans HD Dry (batter), Remo Ambassador Snare Side (resonant) - **Snare tuning:** Medium-high tension for clarity, moderate snare wire tension ### Inferno's Pearl Reference Pure Setup Inferno's Pearl Reference Pure kit is built for one purpose: to deliver extreme metal power with absolute consistency. The Reference Pure series represents Pearl's commitment to tonal clarity and projection—essential qualities when playing at the tempos and intensities Behemoth demands. The double 22" x 18" bass drum setup provides the visual impact of a classic extreme metal configuration while giving Inferno independent control over each drum's tone. Unlike drummers who use a double pedal on a single bass drum, Inferno prefers the response and feel of two separate drums. They're triggered for additional attack consistency during Behemoth's blistering passages. The tom configuration is deliberately minimal—two rack toms and two floor toms. This streamlined setup reflects Inferno's playing style: efficient, powerful, and focused on driving the band rather than flashy fills. Every piece of the kit serves a purpose in Behemoth's apocalyptic sound. The Reference Pure shells combine maple and birch for a powerful, focused tone with excellent projection. The maple provides warmth and sustain, while the birch adds attack and cut—crucial for maintaining clarity during blast beats at 230+ BPM. ### The Blast Beat Foundation The snare drum is the most critical element in extreme metal drumming—it must cut through walls of distorted guitars during sustained blast beats while maintaining articulation. Inferno's Pearl Reference snare delivers exactly that. At 14" x 5.5", the drum strikes a balance between projection and responsiveness. The brass shell provides brightness and cut, while maintaining enough body to avoid sounding thin at high volumes. For some tours and recordings, Inferno has alternated with a steel shell variant for an even more cutting attack. The snare's tuning is crucial for blast beat clarity. Inferno tunes it relatively high with moderate snare wire tension, allowing each stroke to speak clearly even at extreme speeds. This is essential for Behemoth's music, where the snare often carries rhythmic information that would be lost with muddier tuning. The die-cast hoops on the Reference series add focus and consistency to the rimshot attacks that punctuate Behemoth's heaviest moments. Combined with durable drumheads, this snare can withstand the punishment of Inferno's demanding live performances. ### Meinl Darkness Inferno's cymbal setup is built around Meinl's Classics Custom Dark series—cymbals specifically designed for darker tonal characteristics while maintaining the durability needed for extreme metal playing. The "Dark" designation is significant. Unlike bright, cutting cymbals favored by some metal drummers, the Classics Custom Dark series offers a more controlled, complex tone. This might seem counterintuitive for extreme metal, but it actually serves Behemoth's sound perfectly: the darker cymbals blend with the heavily distorted guitars rather than fighting them. The 14" Dark hi-hats provide the articulation needed for Inferno's demanding foot patterns while offering enough weight to project during open crashes. His closed hi-hat technique during blast beats is exceptionally clean—each hit speaks clearly without excessive sustain. Multiple crash cymbals give dynamic options: the 16" for quick accents, the 18" for standard crashes, and the Byzance 19" for moments requiring more cut. The 22" Dark Ride serves multiple functions—riding, crashing, and bell work. The 18" China cymbal is essential for Behemoth's sound. Those trashy, explosive accents punctuate transitions and add aggression to key moments. Meinl's Classics Custom Chinas are durable enough to withstand Inferno's heavy hitting while delivering consistent tone. ## Key Facts - Pearl Drums endorsee — Reference Pure Series setup - Meinl Cymbals — Classics Custom Dark and Byzance series - Pearl Demon Drive pedals for maximum speed and control - Over 27 years with Behemoth — the longest-serving member - Grammy-nominated performances on "I Loved You at Your Darkest" - Double bass drums for visual impact and independent tonal control - Reference Pure series for maximum clarity at extreme speeds - Triggered bass drums for consistent attack during blasts - Minimal tom configuration for efficiency and power - Custom finishes to match Behemoth's theatrical staging - Estimated kit value: $5,000-8,000 (Reference Pure custom configuration) - Estimated snare value: $500-700 (Pearl Reference snare) **Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/whats-in-infernos-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)*