---
name: "Pete Sandoval"
band: "Morbid Angel"
genre: "Death Metal"
country: "USA"
primary_brand: "ddrum"
profile_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummer/pete-sandoval"
source: "https://metalforge.io"
last_updated: "2026-06-06"
---

# Pete Sandoval

Pete Sandoval is a professional metal drummer best known for their work with Morbid Angel, a defining act in death metal.

## Quick Facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Pete Sandoval |
| Band | Morbid Angel |
| All bands | Morbid Angel, Terrorizer |
| Genre | Death Metal |
| Country | USA |
| Primary brand | ddrum |
| Drum kit | ddrum Dios Series |
| Signature snare | ddrum Dios 14x6.5" Maple |
| Sticks | Ahead Lars Ulrich Signature |

## Biography

Pedro "Pete" Sandoval, born in 1960 in El Salvador, is a legendary death metal drummer best known for his work with Morbid Angel and Terrorizer. He is credited with pioneering and perfecting the gravity blast technique, which revolutionized extreme metal drumming. His work on classic Morbid Angel albums like "Altars of Madness," "Blessed Are the Sick," and "Covenant" set the standard for death metal drumming. Sandoval's combination of speed, precision, and endurance influenced countless drummers in the extreme metal genre.

Pedro Rigoberto "Pete" Sandoval (born May 21, 1964, in Santa Ana, El Salvador) is a Salvadoran-American drummer widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in extreme metal. Known by his nicknames "Commando" and "Pete the Feet," Sandoval's work with Morbid Angel and Terrorizer helped define the sound of death metal and grindcore drumming.

According to AllMusic's Jason Birchmeier, Sandoval "challenges one's perception of how fast a drummer can possibly drum." His pioneering blast beat technique, incredible speed, and relentless work ethic established the template that countless extreme metal drummers have followed. His work on Morbid Angel's "Altars of Madness" (1989) remains a benchmark for death metal drumming.

## Band History

- **Morbid Angel** — 1988–2013
- **Terrorizer** — 1986–1989, 2005–present (current)

## Gear

- **Drums:** ddrum Dios Series
- **Snare:** ddrum Dios 14x6.5" Maple
- **Cymbals:** Sabian AAX Series (14" Stage Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" X-Plosion Crashes, 20" Stage Ride, 18" Chinese)
- **Hardware:** ddrum Mercury Double Pedal, ddrum Throne
- **Sticks:** Ahead Lars Ulrich Signature

## Notable Performances

- Morbid Angel - Fall from Grace (Drum Cam) (2023)
- Terrorizer - Human Prey (Brutal Assault 2024) (2024)
- Morbid Angel - World of Shit (Drum Cam) (2019)

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What drum kit does Pete Sandoval play?**

A: Pete Sandoval plays a ddrum Dios Series.

**Q: What cymbals does Pete Sandoval use?**

A: Pete Sandoval uses Sabian AAX Series (14" Stage Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" X-Plosion Crashes, 20" Stage Ride, 18" Chinese).

**Q: What band is Pete Sandoval in?**

A: Pete Sandoval drums for Morbid Angel, a death metal band.

---

**Full interactive profile:** [Pete Sandoval on MetalForge](https://metalforge.io/drummer/pete-sandoval)

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