--- name: "Matt Greiner" band: "August Burns Red" page_type: "gear_evolution" profile_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummers/matt-greiner" evolution_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummers/matt-greiner/evolution" source: "https://metalforge.io" last_updated: "2026-06-26" --- # Matt Greiner Drum Kit Evolution — Complete Timeline Matt Greiner co-founded August Burns Red in 2003 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and has been the technical and emotional engine of one of metalcore's most accomplished bands ever since. His drumming is known for its melodic sensibility, dynamic range, and technical precision — qualities that have driven a gear evolution from boutique OCDP maple kits through a Pearl Reference era to his current Mapex Black Panther partnership, one of the most praised sounds in modern metalcore. See also: [Matt Greiner drummer profile](/llms/drummers/matt-greiner.md) --- ## Messengers Era (2003–2008) **Albums:** Looks Fragile After All (2004), Messengers (2007) **Tours:** Messengers US Tour, Warped Tour 2007 August Burns Red's formative years. Greiner developed his technically demanding, melodically nuanced style on Orange County Drum & Percussion kits — the boutique California brand that offered custom-quality maple construction at accessible prices. Warped Tour 2007 and the release of *Messengers* put August Burns Red on the national metalcore map. - **Drums:** Orange County Drum & Percussion (OCDP) Maple — 22" kick, 10"/12"/14"/16" toms - **Snare:** OCDP Steel Snare 14"×5.5" - **Cymbals:** Paiste 2002 / Alpha Series — 14" hi-hats, 16"/18" crashes, 20" ride, 18" China - **Hardware:** Pearl P-2002C Eliminator double pedal (cam-driven) - **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5B hickory - **Heads:** Remo Ambassador — clear on toms, coated on snare - **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$4,500 **Key developments:** - OCDP maple kit — boutique quality at accessible price - *Messengers* (2007) established ABR as metalcore leaders - Technical melodic drumming style fully formed from the first record - Warped Tour 2007 brought national exposure > "Growing up I didn't have money for top-shelf gear. The OCDP kit punched way above its weight. It taught me that tone starts with the player, not the price tag." — *Drum! Magazine Interview, 2008* --- ## Constellations / Leveler Era (2009–2013) **Albums:** Constellations (2009), Leveler (2011), Presenting Fingers EP (2012) **Tours:** Constellations World Tour, Leveler Tour August Burns Red's commercial and critical peak. *Constellations* and *Leveler* are widely considered two of metalcore's defining albums, and Greiner's transition to Pearl Reference drums marked his arrival as a professional-tier endorsee. His first Vic Firth signature stick was launched during this era. - **Drums:** Pearl Reference Series (maple/birch hybrid) — 22" kick, 10"/12"/14"/16" toms *(switch from OCDP — first major endorsement)* - **Snare:** Pearl Reference 14"×6.5" (maple/birch hybrid with die-cast hoops) *(switch — punchy, musical tone)* - **Cymbals:** Paiste Signature Series — 14" Signature hi-hats, 16"/17"/18" crashes, 22" ride, 18" China *(upgrade from 2002/Alpha)* - **Hardware:** Pearl Eliminator Demon Drive direct drive double pedal *(upgrade — direct drive for precision)* - **Sticks:** Vic Firth Matt Greiner Signature (hickory, long taper, nylon tip) *(first signature sticks)* - **Heads:** Evans G2 / EMAD *(switch to Evans for studio/live control)* - **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$10,000 **Key developments:** - Pearl Reference endorsement — first major kit deal - Vic Firth Matt Greiner signature sticks launched - Upgraded to Paiste Signature line for professional touring - *Constellations* — considered one of metalcore's defining albums | Gear | Change | |---|---| | Pearl Reference Series | Brand switch from OCDP | | Vic Firth Matt Greiner Signature | First signature | | Paiste Signature Series | Upgrade from 2002/Alpha | | Pearl Demon Drive | Upgrade — direct drive | > "Getting the Pearl Reference deal was a turning point. That kit is built to last — it sounds incredible and it can handle the road. Constellations opened those doors for us." — *Pearl Drums Artist Profile, 2010* --- ## Rescue & Restore / Florian Era (2013–2015) **Albums:** Rescue & Restore (2013), Florian (2014) **Tours:** Rescue & Restore Tour, Florian Tour August Burns Red's most creatively ambitious period. *Florian* in particular pushed the band toward orchestral textures and wider dynamic swings — demands that drove Greiner's first electronics integration and a Paiste Formula 602 cymbal upgrade for darker, more complex tonal options. - **Drums:** Pearl Reference Series (refined, custom finish) — 22" kick, 10"/12"/14"/16" toms - **Snare:** Pearl Reference 14"×5.5" + 14"×6.5" (two snare depths in rotation) *(upgrade — dual snare for textural range)* - **Cymbals:** Paiste Signature / Formula 602 — 14" hi-hats, 17"/18"/19" crashes, 22" ride, 18"/20" Chinas, 10" splash *(upgrade — 602 added for darker palette)* - **Hardware:** Pearl Demon Drive (continued) - **Sticks:** Vic Firth Matt Greiner Signature (continued) - **Heads:** Evans G2 / EMAD2 *(upgrade — EMAD2 for tighter kick response)* - **Electronics:** Roland SPD-SX Sampling Pad *(new — ambient samples and click track integration)* - **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$12,000 **Key developments:** - Paiste Formula 602 added alongside Signature series for darker tonal options - Roland SPD-SX introduced — first electronics integration for ambient live sampling - Evans EMAD2 upgrade for tighter kick attack - *Florian* — ABR's most orchestrally ambitious album > "Florian pushed us somewhere new. I needed cymbals and electronics that could hold wide dynamic swings — from full metal to near-orchestral passages." — *Modern Drummer Interview, 2014* --- ## Mapex Era (2016–Present) **Albums:** Ember (2016), Tides (2019), Death Below (2023) **Tours:** Ember Tour, Tides World Tour, Death Below Tour Greiner's current and most praised era. The switch to Mapex Black Panther Design Lab drums brought a fundamentally different tonal character — the maple/walnut hybrid shell's warm low-end and crisp attack ideally suits metalcore's wide dynamic range. The Mapex era produced what many consider Greiner's best-sounding recordings to date. - **Drums:** Mapex Black Panther Design Lab (maple/walnut hybrid) — 22" kick, 10"/12"/14"/16" toms *(brand switch from Pearl — warmer, deeper low-end)* - **Snare:** Mapex Black Panther 14"×5.5" Maple *(switch — warm maple crack)* - **Cymbals:** Paiste Formula 602 / Signature — 14" 602 hi-hats, 16"/17"/18" crashes, 22" ride, 18" China, 10" splash *(switch — 602 primary)* - **Hardware:** DW 9000 double pedal (twin-chain drive) *(switch — premium DW pedal)* - **Sticks:** Vic Firth Matt Greiner Signature (current model, updated taper) - **Heads:** Evans G2 / EMAD2 (consistent long-term configuration) - **Electronics:** Roland SPD-SX (continued — ambient layers and click track) - **Estimated kit cost:** ~$14,000 **Key developments:** - Brand switch to Mapex Black Panther Design Lab — maple/walnut hybrid delivers distinct warmth - DW 9000 double pedal adopted - Paiste Formula 602 becomes primary cymbal choice — complements Mapex warmth - *Ember* Tour — ABR's largest headlining push to that point - *Death Below* (2023) — continued evolution of ABR's technical metalcore sound | Gear | Change | |---|---| | Mapex Black Panther Design Lab | Brand switch from Pearl | | Mapex Black Panther Snare | Brand switch | | Paiste Formula 602 primary | Switch | | DW 9000 pedal | Switch | > "The Black Panther changed my sound in the best way. That maple/walnut combination gives me everything — warmth, attack, and a low-end that sits perfectly in the mix." — *Mapex Drums Artist Profile, 2016* --- ## Career Cost Overview | Era | Years | Kit Cost (Original) | Inflation-Adjusted | |---|---|---|---| | Messengers Era | 2003–2008 | $4,500 | ~$7,000 | | Constellations / Leveler Era | 2009–2013 | $10,000 | ~$14,000 | | Rescue & Restore / Florian Era | 2013–2015 | $12,000 | ~$16,000 | | Mapex Era | 2016–present | $14,000 | ~$14,000 | --- ## Gear Brand Partnerships Timeline - **Orange County Drum & Percussion (OCDP)** — 2003–2008 (formative years) - **Pearl Reference Series** — 2009–2015 (first major endorsement) - **Mapex Black Panther Design Lab** — 2016–present (current primary kit) - **Paiste** — throughout career (2002/Alpha → Signature → Formula 602 primary) - **Vic Firth Matt Greiner Signature** — 2009–present - **Evans Heads** — 2009–present (G2/EMAD → G2/EMAD2) - **Roland SPD-SX** — 2013–present --- ## FAQ **Q: What drum kit does Matt Greiner currently play?** A: Greiner currently plays a Mapex Black Panther Design Lab kit with maple/walnut hybrid shells — 22" kick and 10", 12", 14", 16" toms. **Q: What snare drum does Matt Greiner use?** A: Greiner plays a Mapex Black Panther 14"×5.5" maple snare — known for its warm crack that suits both the heavy and melodic sides of August Burns Red's sound. **Q: What cymbals does Matt Greiner use?** A: Greiner plays Paiste Formula 602 as his primary cymbal line, supplemented by Paiste Signature cymbals. His setup typically includes 14" 602 hi-hats, 16"–18" crashes, 22" ride, 18" China, and 10" splash. **Q: What sticks does Matt Greiner play?** A: Greiner plays Vic Firth Matt Greiner Signature sticks — a hickory model with a long taper and nylon tip, designed for the combination of speed and power required in metalcore drumming. **Q: When did Matt Greiner switch from Pearl to Mapex?** A: Greiner played Pearl Reference drums from approximately 2009 through 2015. He switched to Mapex Black Panther Design Lab for the Ember era (2016), citing the maple/walnut hybrid's warmth and low-end character as the key factor. --- ## Related Pages - [Matt Greiner Drummer Profile](/llms/drummers/matt-greiner.md) - [Constellations Album Article](/llms/articles/constellations.md) - [Leveler Album Article](/llms/articles/leveler.md) - [August Burns Red Band Profile](/llms/bands.md) - [Mapex Drums Brand Guide](/llms/brands/mapex.md) - [Paiste Cymbals Brand Guide](/llms/brands/paiste.md)