---
name: "Nick Menza"
band: "Megadeth"
genre: "Thrash Metal"
country: "USA"
primary_brand: "Tama"
profile_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummer/nick-menza"
source: "https://metalforge.io"
last_updated: "2026-07-10"
---

# Nick Menza — Drum Kit & Gear Setup

Nick Menza's drum kit and gear setup. Nick Menza is a professional metal drummer best known for their work with Megadeth, a defining act in thrash metal.

## Quick Facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Nick Menza |
| Band | Megadeth |
| Genre | Thrash Metal |
| Country | USA |
| Primary brand | Tama |
| Drum kit | Tama Swingstar |
| Signature snare | Tama Steel Snare 14x5.5" |
| Sticks | Vic Firth American Classic 5B |

## Biography

Nick Menza (July 23, 1964 – May 21, 2016) was an American drummer best known as Megadeth's drummer from 1989 to 1998, appearing on Rust in Peace (1990), Countdown to Extinction (1992), Youthanasia (1994), and Cryptic Writings (1997). He briefly rejoined the band in 2004, and he died after collapsing on stage during a 2016 performance with jazz-fusion band OHM.

Nick Menza (July 23, 1964 – May 21, 2016) was an American drummer best known as Megadeth's drummer from 1989 to 1998, the period that produced the band's most celebrated albums: Rust in Peace (1990), Countdown to Extinction (1992), Youthanasia (1994), and Cryptic Writings (1997). He joined Megadeth initially as a drum technician before stepping into the drum seat, and quickly became a defining voice of Big Four thrash metal.

Menza's playing was distinguished by surgical double-bass precision at 180-200 BPM — clean, articulate kick patterns rather than a blur of raw speed — paired with a sharp, rimshot-heavy snare crack that cut through Megadeth's dense guitar arrangements. He was fired from Megadeth in 1998 following a knee injury, briefly rejoined in 2004, and later drummed for the jazz-metal fusion group OHM. Menza died on May 21, 2016, collapsing on stage at age 51 during an OHM performance in Woodland Hills, California.

## Band History

- **Megadeth** — 1989–1998, 2004

## Gear

- **Drums:** Tama Swingstar
- **Snare:** Tama Steel Snare 14x5.5"
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Series (14" A Hi-Hats, 16" & 18" A Crash, 20" A Ride)
- **Hardware:** DW 5000 Double Pedal
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B
- **Heads:** Remo Ambassador / Powerstroke 3

## Notable Performances

- Nick Menza Drum Cam - Megadeth - The Conjuring (Live at NEC Centre, Birmingham UK, 1990) (1990)

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What albums did Nick Menza play drums on with Megadeth?**

A: Nick Menza recorded Rust in Peace (1990), Countdown to Extinction (1992), Youthanasia (1994), and Cryptic Writings (1997) with Megadeth.

**Q: What drum kit did Nick Menza use on Rust in Peace?**

A: Nick Menza played a Tama Swingstar 5-piece kit with poplar shells, Zildjian A Series cymbals, and a DW 5000 double pedal on Rust in Peace.

**Q: Why did Nick Menza leave Megadeth?**

A: Nick Menza was fired from Megadeth in 1998 following a knee injury; he briefly rejoined the band in 2004 before departing again.

**Q: How did Nick Menza die?**

A: Nick Menza collapsed on stage and passed away on May 21, 2016, at age 51, during a performance with the jazz-metal fusion group OHM.

**Q: When did Nick Menza join Megadeth?**

A: Nick Menza joined Megadeth in 1989, initially working as a drum technician before becoming the band's full-time drummer.

## Signature Licks on MetalForge

MetalForge has 6 signature lick tutorial(s) for Nick Menza:

- [Tornado of Souls Melodic Groove](https://metalforge.io/drummers/nick-menza/licks/nick-menza-tornado-of-souls-melodic-groove)
- [Holy Wars Intro Blast Pattern](https://metalforge.io/drummers/nick-menza/licks/nick-menza-holy-wars-intro-blast-pattern)
- [Hangar 18 Technical Fill Sequence](https://metalforge.io/drummers/nick-menza/licks/nick-menza-hangar-18-technical-fill-sequence)
- [Tornado of Souls Double-Bass Roll](https://metalforge.io/drummers/nick-menza/licks/nick-menza-tornado-of-souls-lick)
- [Holy Wars Gallop Groove](https://metalforge.io/drummers/nick-menza/licks/nick-menza-holy-wars-lick)
- [Sweating Bullets Tick-Tock Swing](https://metalforge.io/drummers/nick-menza/licks/nick-menza-sweating-bullets-lick)

Each lick page includes a video demonstration, HowTo breakdown, and gear notes.

---

**Full interactive profile:** [Nick Menza on MetalForge](https://metalforge.io/drummer/nick-menza)

**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: 2026-07-10 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*