--- name: "Chris Turner" band: "Oceans Ate Alaska" page_type: "gear_evolution" profile_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummer/chris-turner" evolution_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummers/chris-turner/evolution" source: "https://metalforge.io" last_updated: "2026-07-05" --- # Chris Turner Drum Kit Evolution — Complete Timeline Chris Turner co-founded Oceans Ate Alaska in Birmingham in 2010, building the polyrhythmic, blast-beat-driven style that carried the band from the "Into the Deep" EP through the "Lost Isles" (2015) and "Hikari" (2017) breakthrough, and onto the viral Tama Starclassic / Meinl Byzance rig behind "Disparity" (2022) and his technical drum-playthrough era. See also: [Chris Turner drummer profile](/llms/drummers/chris-turner.md) · [Chris Turner gear history](/llms/gear-history/chris-turner.md) --- ## Founding Oceans Ate Alaska & Into the Deep Era (2010–2015) **Albums:** Oceans Ate Alaska: Into the Deep EP (2012) **Tours:** Oceans Ate Alaska UK club circuit (2010–2015) Turner co-founded progressive metalcore band Oceans Ate Alaska in Birmingham, UK in 2010, developing the technical, polyrhythmic drumming style that would later define the band's sound. The group self-released their debut "Into the Deep" EP in 2012, building a UK club-circuit following before signing to Fearless Records ahead of their first full-length. As with most unsigned metalcore acts of the era, no single fixed drum, cymbal, or stick endorsement from this founding period is publicly documented. - **Drums:** Various club-circuit kits — no single fixed brand documented - **Snare:** Standard steel snares, varied by gig - **Cymbals:** Varied by gig, no fixed brand documented - **Hardware:** Standard touring double pedal, no fixed brand documented - **Sticks:** Standard hickory sticks, varied by gig (pre-Vic Firth era) - **Heads:** Standard club-circuit heads, varied by gig - **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$1,500 (inflation-adjusted to 2026: ~$2,100) **Key developments:** - Co-founded Oceans Ate Alaska in Birmingham, UK in 2010 - Self-released the Into the Deep EP in 2012 - Built a UK club-circuit following ahead of signing to Fearless Records - No fixed gear endorsement documented for this founding period --- ## Lost Isles & Hikari Breakthrough Era (2015–2019) **Albums:** Oceans Ate Alaska: Lost Isles (2015), Oceans Ate Alaska: Hikari (2017) **Tours:** Hikari World Tour (2017–2019) **Q: When did Chris Turner establish his Tama endorsement?** A: Oceans Ate Alaska released their Fearless Records debut full-length "Lost Isles" in 2015, followed by the critically acclaimed "Hikari" (2017), which blended djent-inspired metalcore with Japanese musical influences and established Turner as one of the most technically proficient drummers in modern metal. It was during this breakthrough stretch that Turner established his documented Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch kit and Meinl Byzance cymbal setup, and his viral technical drumming videos began circulating widely. - **Drums:** Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch — maple/birch hybrid shell pack - **Snare:** Tama Starclassic matching snare — stock Starclassic snare, bright attack - **Cymbals:** Meinl Byzance Series — early hi-hat/crash/ride configuration - **Hardware:** Standard double pedal, no fixed brand confirmed for this era - **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5A - **Heads:** Evans - **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$3,800 (inflation-adjusted to 2026: ~$4,900) **Key developments:** - Released Fearless Records debut Lost Isles (2015) - Released breakthrough album Hikari (2017), blending djent and Japanese musical influences - Established documented Tama Starclassic / Meinl Byzance endorsement during this era - Viral technical drumming videos began circulating widely --- ## Disparity & Viral Playthrough Era (2020–Present) **Albums:** Oceans Ate Alaska: Disparity (2022) **Tours:** Disparity World Tour (2022–present) **Q: What gear does Chris Turner use for Disparity?** A: Turner recorded Oceans Ate Alaska's "Disparity" (2022), described as the band's technical masterwork, and released a run of viral single drum-playthroughs including "Escapist" (2021), "Hansha" (2022), and "Endless Hollow" (2023) that showcased his refined rig in full detail. His setup was upgraded to the Tama S.L.P. 14x5.5" G-Maple snare and a complete Meinl Byzance array, paired with a Tama Speed Cobra 910 Double Pedal for the fast, controlled double-bass response his polyrhythmic patterns demand — a configuration verified via Meinl's official artist roster and Turner's own channel. - **Drums:** Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch *(unchanged)* - **Snare:** Tama S.L.P. 14x5.5" G-Maple *(upgraded)* - **Cymbals:** Meinl Byzance Series — 15" Dual Hi-Hats, 18" & 20" Extra Dry Medium Crashes, 22" Dual Ride, 18" Extra Dry China *(expanded)* - **Hardware:** Tama Speed Cobra 910 Double Pedal, Tama 1st Chair Throne - **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5A *(unchanged)* - **Heads:** Evans *(unchanged)* - **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$5,200 (inflation-adjusted to 2026: ~$5,600) **Key developments:** - Recorded Disparity (2022), described as the band's technical masterwork - Released viral drum-playthroughs for Escapist (2021), Hansha (2022), and Endless Hollow (2023) - Upgraded to the Tama S.L.P. 14x5.5" G-Maple snare and a full Meinl Byzance cymbal array - Added the Tama Speed Cobra 910 Double Pedal, his first documented hardware endorsement --- ## Career Cost Overview | Era | Years | Kit Cost (Original) | Inflation-Adjusted | |---|---|---|---| | Founding Oceans Ate Alaska & Into the Deep Era | 2010–2015 | $1,500 | ~$2,100 | | Lost Isles & Hikari Breakthrough Era | 2015–2019 | $3,800 | ~$4,900 | | Disparity & Viral Playthrough Era | 2020–Present | $5,200 | ~$5,600 | --- ## Gear Brand Partnerships Timeline - **Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch (drums)** — 2015–present (since the Lost Isles/Hikari era) - **Meinl Byzance Series (cymbals)** — 2015–present - **Vic Firth American Classic 5A (sticks)** — 2015–present - **Tama Speed Cobra 910 Double Pedal (hardware)** — 2020–present --- ## FAQ **Q: What drum kit does Chris Turner play?** A: Chris Turner plays a Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch kit with a Tama S.L.P. 14x5.5" G-Maple snare, Meinl Byzance Series cymbals, and a Tama Speed Cobra 910 Double Pedal — a rig refined during Oceans Ate Alaska's Disparity (2022) era. **Q: What band is Chris Turner in?** A: Chris Turner is the founding drummer of progressive metalcore band Oceans Ate Alaska, which he co-founded in Birmingham, UK in 2010. **Q: When did Chris Turner start using Tama drums?** A: Turner's documented Tama Starclassic endorsement was established during Oceans Ate Alaska's Lost Isles (2015) and Hikari (2017) breakthrough era, later refined with a Tama S.L.P. G-Maple snare for Disparity (2022). **Q: What albums has Chris Turner recorded with Oceans Ate Alaska?** A: Turner has recorded the Into the Deep EP (2012), Lost Isles (2015), Hikari (2017), and Disparity (2022) with Oceans Ate Alaska. **Q: Why is Chris Turner known for viral drumming videos?** A: Turner's exceptionally technical, polyrhythmic playing on tracks like Escapist (2021), Hansha (2022), and Endless Hollow (2023) has gone viral for its precision and lightning-fast footwork. --- ## Related Pages - [Chris Turner Drummer Profile](/llms/drummers/chris-turner.md) - [Chris Turner Gear History](/llms/gear-history/chris-turner.md) - [Metal Drumming Facts & Stats](/llms/facts.md)