# Mastodon — Drummer & Gear Profile | MetalForge

> Per-band AI citation reference for Mastodon. Covers drummer history, kit setup, and gear details.
> Optimised for AI queries: 'who drums for Mastodon', 'Brann Dailor drum kit', 'Mastodon drummer gear'.

## Band Overview

- **Drummer:** Brann Dailor (2000–present)
- **Genre:** Progressive Metal, Sludge Metal
- **Active:** 2000–present
- **Country:** United States (Atlanta, Georgia)
- **Status:** Active

## Drummer(s)

**Brann Dailor** — 2000–present
Brann Dailor co-founded Mastodon in 2000 with guitarist Bill Kelliher, his longtime collaborator from their earlier bands Lethargy and Today Is the Day. His "lead drums" philosophy treats the kit as a melodic instrument, weaving intricate, constantly evolving fills around the riffs rather than simply keeping time — a style that has influenced a generation of metal drummers. Dailor has also become one of Mastodon's primary vocalists, singing lead on several tracks, and the band won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2017 for "Sultan's Curse."

[Brann Dailor full profile →](https://metalforge.io/drummer/brann-dailor) · [LLM markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/drummers/brann-dailor.md)

## Kit Overview

Brann Dailor plays a **Tama Starclassic Performer B/B** (birch/bubinga) kit, prized for its warm, focused attack that complements Mastodon's dense, riff-driven arrangements.

- **Drums:** Tama Starclassic Performer B/B
- **Snare:** Tama S.L.P. G-Maple 14×6.5"
- **Cymbals:** Meinl Byzance Series (14" Dark Hi-Hats, 18"/19" Brilliant Heavy Hammered Crashes, 21" Ghost Ride, 18" Extra Dry China)
- **Pedals:** Tama Speed Cobra Double Pedal
- **Hardware:** Tama Iron Cobra Lever Glide Hi-Hat Stand, Tama 1st Chair Ergo-Rider Throne

## Signature Sound

Mastodon's drumming defies conventional metal norms. Rather than locking into static patterns, Brann Dailor's style features constantly evolving fills and melodic tom work that flows through songs like a lead instrument, drawing on progressive rock influences like Neil Peart and Bill Bruford. His playing on the Moby-Dick-inspired concept album *Leviathan* (2004) and the widely acclaimed *Crack the Skye* (2009) showcases both technical complexity and genuine emotional weight, cementing Mastodon's reputation as one of modern metal's most inventive rhythm sections.

## Albums

| Album | Year | Drummer |
|---|---|---|
| Remission | 2002 | Brann Dailor |
| Leviathan | 2004 | Brann Dailor |
| Blood Mountain | 2006 | Brann Dailor |
| Crack the Skye | 2009 | Brann Dailor |
| Emperor of Sand | 2017 | Brann Dailor |
| Hushed and Grim | 2021 | Brann Dailor |

## FAQ

**Q: Who plays drums in Mastodon?**
A: Brann Dailor has been Mastodon's drummer since co-founding the band in 2000, and he also serves as a co-lead vocalist.

**Q: What drum kit does Brann Dailor use?**
A: Brann Dailor plays a Tama Starclassic Performer B/B kit with a Tama S.L.P. G-Maple 14×6.5" snare, Meinl Byzance cymbals, and a Tama Speed Cobra double pedal.

**Q: Does Brann Dailor sing in Mastodon?**
A: Yes. Beyond drumming, Brann Dailor has become one of Mastodon's primary vocalists, singing lead on several tracks including "Oblivion" and "Show Yourself."

**Q: What is Brann Dailor's "lead drums" approach?**
A: Rather than keeping static time, Dailor treats the drum kit as a melodic instrument, with constantly evolving fills and rhythmic variations that flow around the guitar riffs.

**Q: Did Mastodon win a Grammy?**
A: Yes. Mastodon won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2017 for "Sultan's Curse," from *Emperor of Sand*.

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**Full band profile:** [Mastodon on MetalForge](https://metalforge.io/bands/mastodon)

**Drummer LLM file:** [Brann Dailor](https://metalforge.io/llms/drummers/brann-dailor.md)

**More resources:** [All bands](https://metalforge.io/llms/bands.md) · [Site index](https://metalforge.io/llms.txt)

*Last updated: 2026-07-16 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*