# What's In Pete Sandoval's Morbid Angel Arsenal > Discover the exact drum kit, cymbals, and techniques Pete Sandoval used to pioneer death metal drumming with Morbid Angel. The godfather of extreme metal blast beats. **Type:** Kit Breakdown **Drummer(s):** [Pete Sandoval](/llms/drummers/pete-sandoval.md) **Genre:** Death Metal ## Overview When discussing the architects of extreme metal drumming, Pete Sandoval's name stands at the foundation. As the drummer for Morbid Angel from 1988 to 2013, Sandoval didn't just play death metal — he helped invent it. Born Pedro "Pete" Sandoval on September 21, 1968, in Los Angeles, California, he grew up on a steady diet of heavy metal and punk. But it was his work with Morbid Angel that would change the course of extreme music forever. Albums like "Altars of Madness" (1989), "Blessed Are the Sick" (1991), and "Covenant" (1993) established the Florida death metal sound that influenced countless bands worldwide. Sandoval is credited with pioneering the "gravity blast" technique — a method of producing extremely fast single-strokes on the snare drum by allowing the stick to bounce off the head and using gravity and wrist motion to sustain the pattern. This technique, combined with his relentless double bass drumming, created the template for extreme metal drumming that persists today. His influence extends beyond technique. Sandoval brought a raw, almost primal intensity to his playing that separated Morbid Angel from the thrash bands that preceded them. While others played fast, Pete played with a possessed fury that defined death metal's aggressive spirit. After a career-threatening back injury in 2010, Sandoval stepped away from Morbid Angel but eventually returned to performing with Terrorizer, the legendary grindcore side project he co-founded with Jesse Pintado. Today, he remains an icon and educator in the extreme metal community. ## Gear Breakdown - **Drums:** Tama Tama Artstar II / Starclassic Performer (Various (Black, Wine Red) finish) - **Snare:** Tama Tama Metalworks Steel Snare, 14" x 5.5" / 14" x 6.5" - **Cymbals:** Paiste — Paiste RUDE - **Hardware / Pedals:** Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide Double Pedal; Tama Iron Cobra Hi-Hat Stand; Tama 1st Chair; Vic Firth American Classic 2B / 5B - **Heads:** Remo Ambassador Coated (batter), Remo Ambassador Snare Side (resonant) - **Snare tuning:** High tension, tight snare wires for maximum attack and response ### Pete's Classic Setup: Tama Power Throughout his career with Morbid Angel, Pete Sandoval built his sound on Tama drums. His preference for Tama's aggressive attack and focused projection made them the ideal choice for the relentless speed and power his music demanded. During the classic Morbid Angel era (1989-1995), Pete primarily used Tama Artstar II kits. The birch/basswood shells provided the attack and cut needed to slice through Trey Azagthoth's dense guitar tones. Unlike many metal drummers who favor massive bass drums, Pete often used standard 22" kicks — the speed came from technique, not drum size. For live shows, Pete typically employed a double bass drum setup rather than a double pedal, giving him the visual impact and slightly different feel that matched Morbid Angel's theatrical live presence. However, in the studio, he often recorded with a single bass drum and double pedal for consistency and mic placement simplicity. His tom configuration remained relatively compact: two rack toms (10" and 12") and two floor toms (14" and 16"). This setup provided melodic options without excessive complexity. Pete's tom work, while secondary to his kick and snare assault, added depth to songs like "Maze of Torment" and "Fall from Grace." The shells' natural attack, combined with Pete's tuning preferences (medium-high for articulation), created the punchy, defined sound that characterized early Florida death metal recordings at Morrisound Studios. ### The Snare That Defined Death Metal The snare drum sound on "Altars of Madness" and "Blessed Are the Sick" is unmistakable — a cutting, machine-gun crack that powers through every blast beat. Pete achieved this with Tama Metalworks steel snares, tuned high for maximum articulation. The steel shell provides the bright, aggressive attack that cuts through dense death metal arrangements. Unlike wood shells that can warm up and "bloom," steel maintains its sharp character even under the most intense playing. For blast beats at extreme tempos, this consistency is essential. Pete typically used a 14" x 5.5" or 14" x 6.5" depth, depending on the era and recording. The shallower drum offered quicker response for his fastest passages, while the deeper option provided more body for groove sections. His tuning approach prioritized projection over warmth. High tension on both heads, tight snare wires, and minimal muffling created a snare that spoke clearly on every stroke. During the Morrisound recordings, engineer Scott Burns captured this sound with a combination of close-miked top and bottom placement that became the blueprint for death metal production. The gravity blast technique Pete pioneered puts unique demands on a snare drum. The stick must bounce consistently at extreme speeds, requiring a drum that responds identically to every stroke. The Metalworks steel's consistent response made it ideal for this revolutionary technique. ### The Paiste Attack Pete Sandoval's cymbal choice tells you everything about his approach: Paiste RUDE, the most aggressive line in Paiste's catalog. These cymbals were designed specifically for loud, aggressive music — perfect for Morbid Angel's sonic assault. The RUDE series features heavy weights and bright, cutting tones that project through walls of distorted guitars. Unlike traditional bronze cymbals that can wash out, RUDE cymbals maintain definition even at extreme volumes. This was essential for Morbid Angel's dense, technical arrangements. Pete's hi-hats, 14" RUDE models, provided the crisp articulation needed for his intricate patterns. Death metal hi-hat work often serves as a rhythmic anchor while the feet handle the blast beats, requiring cymbals that speak clearly without excessive sustain. The Crash/Ride models in the RUDE line served multiple purposes in Pete's setup. Quick crashes for accents, ride patterns for hypnotic sections, and everything in between. The versatility matched Morbid Angel's dynamic arrangements, from slow doom sections to blasting fury. The 18" RUDE China added the aggressive, exotic accents that punctuated songs like "Chapel of Ghouls" and "Immortal Rites." Pete used the China sparingly but effectively, marking important transitions and adding variety to his patterns. Throughout his career, Paiste RUDE remained Pete's primary choice, though he occasionally incorporated other Paiste lines for specific sounds. ## Key Facts - Co-founder of the Florida death metal sound with Morbid Angel (1988-2013) - Pioneer of the gravity blast technique - Recorded landmark albums: Altars of Madness, Blessed Are the Sick, Covenant - Also known for work with Terrorizer (World Downfall, 1989) - Overcame career-threatening back injury in 2010 - Tama Artstar II during classic era (1989-1995) - Transitioned to Starclassic Performer later in career - Double bass drums live, often single with double pedal in studio - Compact tom setup focused on speed and efficiency - Partnered with Morrisound Studios for the definitive Florida death metal sound - Estimated kit value: $3,000-5,000 (vintage Artstar II) / $2,500-4,000 (Starclassic Performer) - Estimated snare value: $200-350 (Metalworks steel snare) **Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/whats-in-pete-sandovals-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)*