---
name: "Martin Lopez"
band: "Soen / ex-Opeth"
genre: "Progressive Metal / Progressive Death Metal"
country: "Sweden"
primary_brand: "Noble"
profile_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummer/martin-lopez"
source: "https://metalforge.io"
last_updated: "2026-06-16"
---

# Martin Lopez — Drum Kit & Gear Setup

Martin Lopez's drum kit and gear setup. Martin Lopez is a professional metal drummer best known for their work with Soen / ex-Opeth, a defining act in progressive metal / progressive death metal.

## Quick Facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Martin Lopez |
| Band | Soen / ex-Opeth |
| All bands | Soen, Opeth |
| Genre | Progressive Metal / Progressive Death Metal |
| Country | Sweden |
| Primary brand | Noble |
| Drum kit | Noble & Cooley Walnut |
| Signature snare | Noble & Cooley Solid Shell 14x6" Maple |
| Sticks | Vic Firth American Classic 5A |

## Biography

Martín Walter López Cardozo (born May 20, 1978) is a Swedish-Uruguayan drummer best known as the former drummer of Opeth and current member/co-founder of progressive metal band Soen. López joined Opeth in 1997 after leaving Amon Amarth, and his drumming was central to their classic albums including "Blackwater Park," "Deliverance," "Damnation," and "Ghost Reveries." His dynamic playing style combines jazz finesse with metal power, featuring creative use of ghost notes, complex hi-hat patterns, and melodic tom work. Health issues led to his departure from Opeth in 2006. In 2010, he co-founded Soen with bassist Steve Di Giorgio, creating a new vehicle for his progressive vision. López's drumming emphasizes feel and musicality over pure technicality, making him one of the most tasteful drummers in progressive metal.

Martin Lopez (born February 8, 1978, in Stockholm, Sweden, raised in Mölndal) is a Swedish drummer of Uruguayan descent, best known for his work with progressive metal bands Opeth (1997-2006) and Soen (2010-present). He is widely regarded as one of the most influential progressive metal drummers of his generation.

Lopez's tenure with Opeth spanned some of the band's most critically acclaimed albums, including "Still Life," "Blackwater Park," and "Ghost Reveries." His dynamic, jazz-influenced approach to extreme metal drumming helped define Opeth's signature sound. After leaving Opeth due to health issues, Lopez co-founded Soen in 2010, continuing to showcase his exceptional musicality and versatility.

## Band History

- **Soen** — 2010–present (current)
- **Opeth** — 1997–2006

## Gear

- **Drums:** Noble & Cooley Walnut
- **Snare:** Noble & Cooley Solid Shell 14x6" Maple
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian K Dark Series (14" K Dark Thin Hi-Hats, 18" & 20" K Dark Medium Thin Crashes, 22" K Dark Light Ride, 18" K China)
- **Hardware:** Axis Percussion Double Pedal, DW 9100 Throne
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5A
- **Heads:** Remo

## Notable Performances

- Ex-Opeth Drummer Performance (2016)
- Deliverance Outro - Drum Performance (2015)
- Ghost of Perdition - Drum Performance (2018)

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What drum kit does Martin Lopez play?**

A: Martin Lopez plays a Noble & Cooley Walnut.

**Q: What cymbals does Martin Lopez use?**

A: Martin Lopez uses Zildjian K Dark Series (14" K Dark Thin Hi-Hats, 18" & 20" K Dark Medium Thin Crashes, 22" K Dark Light Ride, 18" K China).

**Q: What band is Martin Lopez in?**

A: Martin Lopez drums for Soen / ex-Opeth, a progressive metal / progressive death metal band.

## Quotes

> "Less is more. The spaces between the notes are just as important as the notes themselves."
>
> — Modern Drummer Magazine (2014)

> "Playing with Opeth taught me that heavy music can be beautiful and subtle at the same time."
>
> — Drumeo Interview (2019)

---

**Full interactive profile:** [Martin Lopez on MetalForge](https://metalforge.io/drummer/martin-lopez)

**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: 2026-06-16 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*