--- name: "Martin Axenrot" band: "Opeth" genre: "Progressive Metal / Progressive Death Metal" country: "Sweden" primary_brand: "Sonor" profile_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummer/martin-axenrot" source: "https://metalforge.io" last_updated: "2026-07-05" --- # Martin Axenrot — Drum Kit & Gear Setup Martin Axenrot's drum kit and gear setup. Martin Axenrot is a professional metal drummer best known for his work with Opeth, a defining act in progressive metal / progressive death metal. ## Quick Facts | Fact | Value | |---|---| | Name | Martin Axenrot | | Band | Opeth | | All bands | Opeth, Bloodbath, Witchery | | Genre | Progressive Metal / Progressive Death Metal | | Country | Sweden | | Primary brand | Sonor | | Drum kit | Sonor SQ2 Series | | Snare | Sonor SQ2 14x5.75" Maple | | Sticks | Vic Firth American Classic 5B | ## Kit Overview Martin Axenrot plays a Sonor SQ2 drum kit — the German custom-build platform he has anchored since joining Opeth as their drummer in 2006, replacing Martin Lopez. His studio debut on Watershed (2008) established the twin-bass-drum Sonor configuration that has defined his sound across every Opeth recording since, signaling a more aggressive approach to the drum chair informed by his extreme metal background with Bloodbath, Witchery, and Nifelheim. The Martin Axenrot drum set is defined by twin 22"×18" bass drums — a departure from Lopez's single-kick rig that brings additional low-end density and the firepower for extended double-bass passages. A Sonor SQ2 maple snare (14"×5.75") delivers the warm, cutting crack heard on Watershed, Heritage (2011), Pale Communion (2014), and Sorceress (2016). Meinl Byzance cymbals complete the Martin Axenrot drum kit: 14" Byzance Traditional Medium Hi-Hats for dark, complex hi-hat work; 16", 18", and 19" Byzance Crashes for dynamic accents; a 22" Byzance Traditional Ride for articulate rhythmic definition; and an 18" Byzance China for aggressive punctuation. The Axenrot drum set has remained rooted in Sonor and Meinl gear throughout his Opeth tenure. ## Biography Martin Axenrot (born March 17, 1979, in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish drummer best known as Opeth's drummer since 2006, when he replaced Martin Lopez mid-tour on the Ghost Reveries cycle. He made his Opeth studio debut on Watershed (2008) and has remained the band's drummer through Heritage (2011), Pale Communion (2014), Sorceress (2016), and In Cauda Venenum (2019). Beyond Opeth, Axenrot is a core member of death metal supergroup Bloodbath since 2008 and served in Witchery from 1997 to 2010. His extreme metal background — forged across Bloodbath, Witchery, and Nifelheim — brings a heavier, more aggressive attack to Opeth's drum chair than his predecessor while honoring the progressive vocabulary Martin Lopez established. ## Band History - **Opeth** — 2006–present (current) - **Bloodbath** — 2008–present (current) - **Witchery** — 1997–2010 ## Gear - **Drums:** Sonor SQ2 Series - **Snare:** Sonor SQ2 14x5.75" Maple - **Cymbals:** Meinl Byzance Series (14" Traditional Medium Hi-Hats, 16" & 18" & 19" Crashes, 22" Traditional Ride, 18" China) - **Hardware:** Tama Iron Cobra Double Pedal, Sonor Hardware - **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B - **Heads:** Remo ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: What drum kit does Martin Axenrot play?** A: Martin Axenrot plays a Sonor SQ2 Series drum kit with twin 22"×18" bass drums — the configuration he has used throughout his tenure as Opeth's drummer since 2006. **Q: What drum set does Martin Axenrot use?** A: Martin Axenrot's drum set is a Sonor SQ2 Series configured with twin 22"×18" bass drums, a Sonor SQ2 maple snare (14"×5.75"), and Meinl Byzance cymbals. This drum set has been the foundation of his Opeth recordings from Watershed (2008) through In Cauda Venenum (2019). **Q: Who is the current Opeth drummer?** A: Martin Axenrot is Opeth's drummer since 2006, when he replaced Martin Lopez mid-tour on the Ghost Reveries cycle. Axenrot made his studio debut with Opeth on Watershed (2008) and has recorded all subsequent Opeth albums: Heritage (2011), Pale Communion (2014), Sorceress (2016), and In Cauda Venenum (2019). **Q: What cymbals does Martin Axenrot use?** A: Martin Axenrot uses Meinl Byzance Series cymbals: 14" Byzance Traditional Medium Hi-Hats, 16", 18", and 19" Byzance Crashes, a 22" Byzance Traditional Ride, and an 18" Byzance China. **Q: What band is Martin Axenrot in?** A: Martin Axenrot is the drummer for Opeth, a Swedish progressive metal / progressive death metal band. He is also a member of Bloodbath. ## Album Drum Setup Articles MetalForge has detailed drum setup breakdowns for Martin Axenrot's Opeth recordings: - [Watershed (2008) Drum Setup](https://metalforge.io/articles/watershed-drum-setup) - [Heritage (2011) Drum Setup](https://metalforge.io/articles/heritage-drum-setup) - [Pale Communion (2014) Drum Setup](https://metalforge.io/articles/pale-communion-drum-setup) - [Sorceress (2016) Drum Setup](https://metalforge.io/articles/sorceress-drum-setup) ## Signature Licks on MetalForge MetalForge has 2 signature lick tutorial(s) for Martin Axenrot: - [The Devil's Orchard — Odd-Meter Groove Command](https://metalforge.io/drummers/martin-axenrot/licks/martin-axenrot-devils-orchard-meter-shifts) - [Sorceress — Heavy Riff-Lock and Live Dynamics](https://metalforge.io/drummers/martin-axenrot/licks/martin-axenrot-sorceress-riff-lock) Each lick page includes a video demonstration, HowTo breakdown, and gear notes. --- **Full interactive profile:** [Martin Axenrot on MetalForge](https://metalforge.io/drummer/martin-axenrot) **More LLM resources:** [Site index](https://metalforge.io/llms.txt) · [Full database](https://metalforge.io/llms-full.txt) · [Drummer markdown index](https://metalforge.io/llms/index.md) *Last updated: 2026-07-05 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*