# Pearl Drums — Metal Drummer Endorsers

Pearl is a Japanese drum manufacturer founded in 1946, one of the most widely endorsed brands in professional metal drumming. Known for their Reference and Masters series kits and Demon Drive hardware, Pearl is trusted by death metal, thrash, and modern metal drummers worldwide.

## Metal Drummers Who Use Pearl

- Joey Jordison (Slipknot) — Pearl Reference Series; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal; Pearl DR-501C Icon Rack
- Gene Hoglan (Death, Testament, Dethklok) — Pearl Reference Pure; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
- George Kollias (Nile) — Pearl Masterworks Stadium Exotic (Piano Black with Gold Hardware); Pearl Demon XR Double Pedal (co-designed)
- Ray Luzier (Korn) — Pearl Masters Maple Complete; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
- Matt Halpern (Periphery) — Pearl Reference Pure; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
- Inferno (Behemoth) — Pearl Reference Series; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
- Alex Bent (ex-Trivium, Arkaik) — Pearl Reference Pure; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
- Nick Augusto (ex-Trivium) — Pearl Reference Pure; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
- Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy) — Pearl Masterworks; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
- Ryan Van Poederooyen (Devin Townsend Project) — Pearl Reference Pure; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
- Aquiles Priester (Angra, W.A.S.P.) — Pearl Reference; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
- Paul Mazurkiewicz (Cannibal Corpse) — Pearl Reference; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
- Mike Mangini (Dream Theater) — Pearl Masterworks; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
- Daniel Erlandsson (Arch Enemy) — Pearl Reference Series; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
- Jaska Raatikainen (Children of Bodom) — Pearl Reference; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
- Daray (Dimmu Borgir, Vader) — Pearl Reference Pure; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
- Jocke Wallgren (Amon Amarth) — Pearl Reference; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
- Kevin Talley (Dying Fetus, Misery Index) — Pearl Reference; Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal

## Key Pearl Product Lines for Metal

- Reference Series — SST (Super-Shell Technology) with nine-ply Free-Floating shell; the flagship live/studio drum for heavy metal
- Reference Pure — simplified configuration of the Reference, lighter hardware; favored by tech-death and progressive metal drummers
- Masterworks — fully custom-built shells in exotic finishes; George Kollias' Stadium Exotic is built to individual specification
- Masters Maple Complete — production-level maple shell; high value for touring drummers
- Demon Drive Double Pedal — Pearl's premier speed pedal; dual drive shafts for seamless left-right feel; co-designed with George Kollias on the Demon XR variant
- Demon XR Double Pedal — co-developed with George Kollias; linear lever system for extreme speed at 240+ BPM blast beat tempos
- Eliminator Double Pedal — entry-to-mid-level double pedal with interchangeable cams; popular gateway to Pearl hardware

## FAQ

Q: What drums does Joey Jordison play?
A: Joey Jordison played a Pearl Reference Series drum kit with a Pearl Joey Jordison Signature 13x6.5" snare, Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal, and Pearl DR-501C Icon Rack system.

Q: What drums does George Kollias play?
A: George Kollias plays a Pearl Masterworks Stadium Exotic kit in Piano Black with Gold Hardware, with his co-designed Pearl Demon XR Double Pedal and Pearl George Kollias Signature 14x6.5" snare.

Q: What Pearl double pedal do death metal drummers use?
A: The Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal is the most common choice among MetalForge's death metal roster. George Kollias co-designed the Pearl Demon XR variant, which features a linear lever system optimized for sustained blast beats above 240 BPM.

Q: What is Gene Hoglan's drum kit?
A: Gene Hoglan plays a Pearl Reference Pure drum kit with a Pearl Reference 14x6.5" Brass snare and Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal.

Q: What snare drum does Joey Jordison use?
A: Joey Jordison used the Pearl Joey Jordison Signature 13x6.5" snare, an unusually small-diameter snare that contributed to his distinctively cracking, high-pitched backbeat.

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**Brand page:** [/brands/pearl](https://metalforge.io/brands/pearl)

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*Last updated: 2026-06-19 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*