# What's In Richard Christy's Death Metal Arsenal > Discover the drum kit, cymbals, and gear Richard Christy used to record Death's final masterpiece 'The Sound of Perseverance' and Control Denied. The technical death metal setup that defined an era. **Type:** Kit Breakdown **Drummer(s):** [Richard Christy](/llms/drummers/richard-christy.md) **Genre:** Technical Death Metal / Progressive Metal ## Overview Richard Christy's name might be familiar to millions from his work on The Howard Stern Show, but to death metal fans, he represents something far more significant: the drummer who helped Chuck Schuldiner realize the most ambitious vision of Death's evolution. Born February 1, 1974, in Fort Scott, Kansas, Christy moved to Florida in 1993 with a singular mission — to break into the death metal scene. His dedication paid off when Chuck Schuldiner handpicked him to join Death in 1996, following auditions that proved his technical precision and musical understanding. What followed was a remarkable creative partnership. "The Sound of Perseverance" (1998) showcased Christy's ability to match Schuldiner's increasingly progressive compositions while maintaining the intensity that defined Death. The album's drumming — complex, dynamic, and precise — demonstrated that technical death metal could have both brain and brute force. Control Denied's "The Fragile Art of Existence" (1999) further proved Christy's versatility. The progressive metal project demanded a different approach: cleaner, more melodic, yet still demanding. Christy delivered performances that proved his range extended far beyond blast beats. Chuck Schuldiner himself called Richard "one of the best drummers I ever worked with" — high praise from a musician known for his exacting standards and revolving door of talented collaborators including Sean Reinert, Gene Hoglan, and Steve DiGiorgio. Christy's tenure with Iced Earth (2003-2007) and his appearances with Death To All tribute tours have kept his metal legacy alive, even as his entertainment career flourished. He remains a rare figure: a legitimate death metal legend who successfully transitioned to mainstream entertainment without abandoning his roots. This is the gear that powered Death's final chapter. ## Gear Breakdown - **Drums:** Pearl Pearl Masters Custom (Black finish) - **Snare:** Pearl Pearl Sensitone or Masters Maple, 14" x 5.5" or 14" x 6.5" - **Cymbals:** Sabian — AA and AAX Series - **Hardware / Pedals:** Pearl P-2002C PowerShifter Eliminator; Pearl D-2000 Roadster; Vic Firth American Classic 5A or 5B; Remo Emperor or Pinstripe / Evans G2 - **Heads:** Remo Ambassador Coated (batter), Remo Ambassador Snare Side (resonant) - **Snare tuning:** Medium-high tension for cut and sensitivity ### Richard's Peak Metal Era Setup: Pearl Masters Custom During his years with Death, Control Denied, and Iced Earth, Richard Christy relied on Pearl Masters Custom drums. The choice made sense: Pearl's maple shells provided the clarity and attack needed for technical death metal, while the Masters line offered the durability required for extensive touring. The 22" bass drum was deeper than typical death metal setups of the era, providing the low-end punch that "The Sound of Perseverance" required. Unlike drummers who favored 18" or 20" kicks for faster response, Christy's deeper shell added weight to his double bass patterns without sacrificing speed. His tom setup was practical and efficient — two rack toms (10" and 12") and two floor toms (14" and 16"). This configuration allowed the complex fill work that characterizes "Spirit Crusher" and "Flesh and the Power It Holds" while maintaining the accessibility needed for Death's progressive arrangements. The maple shells delivered exactly what technical death metal demands: clear note definition even at extreme speeds, attack that cuts through dense guitar work, and enough body to prevent the kit from sounding thin on ballads and quieter passages. "Voice of the Soul" (Death's instrumental) showcases this versatility — the same kit that powers blast beats also sings on melodic sections. For Iced Earth, Christy maintained similar shell sizes but occasionally adjusted for the band's more anthemic, less technically demanding material. ### The Snare Sound of Perseverance Richard Christy's snare work on "The Sound of Perseverance" demonstrates remarkable control at extreme speeds. His snare of choice during the Death era was typically a Pearl Sensitone or Masters Maple — drums that offered the sensitivity needed for ghost notes while providing the crack required to cut through Chuck Schuldiner's dense guitar arrangements. The 14" x 5.5" dimension was common for his setup, though he occasionally used a 6.5" depth for more body. The snare tone on TSOP is tight, focused, and musical — listen to the opening of "Scavenger of Human Sorrow" for proof. Even at extreme tempos, each stroke remains clear and defined. Producer Jim Morris at Morrisound Recording (where Death recorded) was known for capturing drum sounds that combined natural tone with clarity. Christy's snare was tuned medium-high for maximum cut and sensitivity, essential for the dynamic range Death's progressive arrangements demanded. The steel Sensitone option provided additional cut for heavier sections, while the maple Masters offered warmth for more nuanced passages. This flexibility was crucial for an album that ranges from blast-beat fury to acoustic interludes. ### The Sabian Arsenal Richard Christy favored Sabian cymbals during his peak death metal years. The AA and AAX series provided the brightness and cut that technical death metal requires — when you're playing complex patterns at 200+ BPM, every cymbal stroke needs definition. The 14" AA Regular hi-hats anchored his kit, providing the chick and splash sounds essential for death metal's intricate hat patterns. Christy's hi-hat work on "The Sound of Perseverance" ranges from tight 16th-note patterns to open splashes that accent chord changes — versatility the AA series handles well. His crash selection balanced speed and sustain. The 16" AAX Studio Crash offered quick decay for rapid fire accents, while the 18" AA Medium Crash provided fuller sustain for bigger moments. This combination appears throughout TSOP — quick punctuations during blast sections, longer crashes for transitions. The 20" ride was essential for Death's progressive sections. "Bite the Pain" features extended ride work that demands clear stick definition and a useable bell. The AA Medium Ride delivered both without washing out during faster passages. For aggressive accents, the AAX Chinese cymbal added trash and cut. Used sparingly but effectively, it punctuates the heaviest moments of Death's arrangements. ## Key Facts - Death drummer 1996-2001, handpicked by Chuck Schuldiner - Recorded "The Sound of Perseverance" — Death's most technical album - Control Denied drummer on "The Fragile Art of Existence" - Iced Earth drummer 2003-2007 - Death To All tribute performer, keeping Chuck's legacy alive - Pearl Masters Custom — professional-grade maple shells - 22" bass drum deeper than typical death metal setups - Standard 4-piece tom configuration for flexibility - Same basic setup used for Death, Control Denied, and Iced Earth - Estimated kit value: $2,500-4,000 (late 1990s) / $1,500-3,000 (used today) - Estimated snare value: $300-500 (late 1990s) / $250-450 (used today) **Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/whats-in-richard-christys-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)*