--- name: "Hannes Grossmann" band: "Obscura" page_type: "gear_evolution" profile_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummer/hannes-grossmann" evolution_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummers/hannes-grossmann/evolution" source: "https://metalforge.io" last_updated: "2026-07-04" --- # Hannes Grossmann Drum Kit Evolution — Complete Timeline Hannes Grossmann brought classical percussion training and jazz-informed dynamics into technical death metal, first with Necrophagist's genre-defining "Epitaph" (2004), then as co-founder of Obscura, where "Cosmogenesis" (2009) and "Omnivium" (2011) established his open-handed, polyrhythmically sophisticated style. After co-founding the progressive death metal supergroup Alkaloid in 2014, he rejoined Obscura in 2020 while continuing Alkaloid, carrying the DW Collectors Series / Meinl Byzance rig documented across his current work. See also: [Hannes Grossmann drummer profile](/llms/drummers/hannes-grossmann.md) · [Hannes Grossmann gear history](/llms/gear-history/hannes-grossmann.md) --- ## Necrophagist & Epitaph Era (2004–2007) **Albums:** Necrophagist: Epitaph (2004) **Tours:** European technical death metal circuit Grossmann joined Necrophagist in 2004, replacing Steve Rowe, and recorded drum tracks for "Epitaph" — a technical death metal landmark still considered one of the most demanding recordings in the genre. His classical percussion background, begun in earnest around 1999, was already audible in his precise, structurally aware approach to blast beats and odd-meter passages, though no single fixed gear brand from this underground-era recording is publicly documented. - **Drums:** Various studio/touring kits — no single fixed brand documented - **Snare:** Standard steel/maple snares, varied by session - **Cymbals:** Varied by session, no fixed brand documented - **Hardware:** Standard studio double pedal, no fixed brand documented - **Sticks:** Standard hickory sticks, varied by session (pre-Vic Firth era) - **Heads:** Standard session heads, varied by engagement - **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$2,400 **Key developments:** - Joined Necrophagist in 2004, replacing Steve Rowe - Recorded Epitaph (2004), one of technical death metal's most influential albums - Classical percussion training (begun c.1999) already shaping his structural approach - No fixed gear endorsement documented for this underground-era recording --- ## Obscura Founding, Cosmogenesis & Blotted Science (2007–2014) **Albums:** Blotted Science: The Machinations of Dementia (2007), Obscura: Cosmogenesis (2009), Obscura: Omnivium (2011) **Tours:** Summer Slaughter (multiple years), European Tech Death Tours (2007–2014) **Q: How did Hannes Grossmann develop his open-handed technique?** A: Grossmann co-founded Obscura with Steffen Kummerer in 2007, the same year he joined Ron Jarzombek's instrumental project Blotted Science. Obscura's "Cosmogenesis" (2009) and "Omnivium" (2011) became critically acclaimed genre benchmarks, showcasing the open-handed technique — left hand leading on hi-hat or ride — that let him access voicings impossible with a traditional crossed-hands approach. This era established his core DW Collectors Series / Meinl Byzance setup, built for the articulate, note-for-note clarity his polyrhythmic compositions demanded. - **Drums:** DW Collectors Series — North American maple shells; 22"x18" bass drums (x2), 10"x8"/12"x9" rack toms, 14"x14"/16"x16" floor toms - **Snare:** DW Collectors 14"x5.5" Maple - **Cymbals:** Meinl Byzance Series — 14" Byzance Traditional Hi-Hats, 18"/19" Byzance Brilliant Crashes, 21" Byzance Traditional Ride, 10" Byzance Splash - **Hardware:** DW 9000 Series Double Pedal - **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B - **Heads:** Evans EQ3 Clear (kick), Remo Emperor Coated (snare), Evans G2/G1 Clear (toms) - **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$9,800 (inflation-adjusted to 2026: ~$14,200) **Key developments:** - Co-founded Obscura with Steffen Kummerer (2007) - Joined Ron Jarzombek's Blotted Science project (2007) - Cosmogenesis (2009) and Omnivium (2011) established his open-handed technique as a genre benchmark - Established the DW Collectors Series / Meinl Byzance rig that has defined his career since --- ## Leaving Obscura & Founding Alkaloid (2014–2020) **Albums:** Alkaloid: The Malkuth Grimoire (2015), Alkaloid: Liquid Anatomy (2018) **Tours:** Alkaloid European touring dates **Q: Why did Hannes Grossmann leave Obscura for Alkaloid?** A: Grossmann left Obscura in 2014 to focus on the progressive death metal supergroup Alkaloid, which he co-founded as a creative outlet distinct from Obscura's sound, and on his growing production career from his own studio in Germany. Alkaloid's "The Malkuth Grimoire" (2015) and "Liquid Anatomy" (2018) let him push classical voice-leading logic and contrapuntal fill construction further than Obscura's format allowed, while his DW Collectors / Meinl Byzance rig carried over unchanged. - **Drums:** DW Collectors Series *(unchanged from the Obscura years)* - **Snare:** DW Collectors 14"x5.5" Maple *(unchanged)* - **Cymbals:** Meinl Byzance Series *(unchanged)* - **Hardware:** DW 9000 Series Double Pedal *(unchanged)* - **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B *(unchanged)* - **Heads:** Evans/Remo mixed package - **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$10,200 (inflation-adjusted to 2026: ~$13,400) **Key developments:** - Left Obscura in 2014 to focus on Alkaloid and production work - Co-founded Alkaloid as a creative outlet distinct from Obscura's sound - Released The Malkuth Grimoire (2015) and Liquid Anatomy (2018) - DW Collectors / Meinl Byzance rig carried over unchanged from the Obscura years --- ## Return to Obscura & Alkaloid's Numen (2020–Present) **Albums:** Obscura: A Dying Wish (2021), Alkaloid: Numen (2023) **Tours:** Obscura World Tours (2020–present) **Q: Did Hannes Grossmann's gear change when he rejoined Obscura?** A: Grossmann rejoined Obscura in 2020 after a six-year hiatus, recording "A Dying Wish" (2021) for Nuclear Blast, while continuing Alkaloid in parallel with "Numen" (2023) — described as his most ambitious and compositionally mature work, fully integrating jazz influence with extreme metal. He now balances both bands alongside his production career, with the DW Collectors / Meinl Byzance rig unchanged since the Obscura founding era. - **Drums:** DW Collectors Series *(unchanged)* - **Snare:** DW Collectors 14"x5.5" Maple *(unchanged)* - **Cymbals:** Meinl Byzance Series *(unchanged)* - **Hardware:** DW 9000 Series Double Pedal *(unchanged)* - **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B *(unchanged)* - **Heads:** Evans/Remo mixed package - **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$10,500 (inflation-adjusted to 2026: ~$11,800) **Key developments:** - Rejoined Obscura in 2020 after a six-year hiatus - Recorded A Dying Wish (2021) for Nuclear Blast - Alkaloid's Numen (2023) called his most compositionally mature work - Now balances Obscura and Alkaloid on an unchanged DW Collectors / Meinl Byzance rig --- ## Career Cost Overview | Era | Years | Kit Cost (Original) | Inflation-Adjusted | |---|---|---|---| | Necrophagist & Epitaph Era | 2004–2007 | $2,400 | ~$3,600 | | Obscura Founding, Cosmogenesis & Blotted Science | 2007–2014 | $9,800 | ~$14,200 | | Leaving Obscura & Founding Alkaloid | 2014–2020 | $10,200 | ~$13,400 | | Return to Obscura & Alkaloid's Numen | 2020–Present | $10,500 | ~$11,800 | --- ## Gear Brand Partnerships Timeline - **DW Collectors Series (drums)** — 2007–present (since co-founding Obscura) - **Meinl Byzance Series (cymbals)** — 2007–present - **Vic Firth American Classic 5B (sticks)** — 2007–present - **DW 9000 Series Double Pedal (hardware)** — 2007–present --- ## FAQ **Q: What drum kit does Hannes Grossmann use?** A: Hannes Grossmann plays a DW Collectors Series kit with a DW Collectors 14"x5.5" Maple snare, Meinl Byzance cymbals, and a DW 9000 Series double pedal — a rig established during his time co-founding Obscura in 2007 and unchanged through his current Obscura and Alkaloid work. **Q: What is Hannes Grossmann's open-handed drumming technique?** A: Grossmann plays open-handed for many patterns — left hand on the hi-hat or ride, right hand on the snare — eliminating hand-crossing. This gives him access to ride and hi-hat voicings that would require awkward crossing with traditional technique, and it's most audible on Obscura's Cosmogenesis (2009) and Omnivium (2011). **Q: What bands has Hannes Grossmann played in?** A: Hannes Grossmann drummed for Necrophagist (2004–2010), co-founded Obscura (2007–2014, rejoined 2020–present) and Blotted Science (2007–2011), and co-founded the progressive death metal supergroup Alkaloid in 2014, which he continues alongside Obscura. **Q: Did Hannes Grossmann play on Necrophagist's Epitaph?** A: Yes — Grossmann joined Necrophagist in 2004, replacing Steve Rowe, and recorded the drum tracks for "Epitaph," widely considered one of the most technically demanding recordings in death metal history. **Q: Why did Hannes Grossmann leave and rejoin Obscura?** A: Grossmann left Obscura in 2014 to focus on the newly formed Alkaloid and his growing production career. He rejoined Obscura in 2020 after a six-year hiatus, recording "A Dying Wish" (2021), and now balances both bands. --- ## Related Pages - [Hannes Grossmann Drummer Profile](/llms/drummers/hannes-grossmann.md) - [Hannes Grossmann Gear History](/llms/gear-history/hannes-grossmann.md) - [Drummers Using DW Collectors Maple](/llms/gear-comparison/drummers-using-dw-collectors-maple.md) - [Metal Drumming Facts & Stats](/llms/facts.md)