# Pearl Reference Pure Drummers — Which Metal Drummers Use the Pearl Reference Pure? > MetalForge's guide to professional metal drummers who play the Pearl Reference Pure drum kit. > Last updated: 2026-06-25 The Pearl Reference Pure is Pearl's top-tier single-species maple shell series, designed as a focused, acoustically purer companion to the multi-ply Reference series. Where the standard Pearl Reference blends maple and birch in varying configurations, the Reference Pure uses an all-maple shell construction to deliver a more focused, resonant, and tonally consistent sound across the entire kit. Pearl's patented ADP (Air Suspension System) shell mounting, SST (Superior Shell Technology) precision steam-bent shells, and Opti-Loc mounting brackets — which contact only the lug plate and never the shell — give the Reference Pure its hallmark combination of sustain and sensitivity. For metal drummers, the Reference Pure's bright, cutting attack and wide tuning range make it a premium platform for everything from technical thrash to groove-driven groove metal. --- ## Pro Metal Drummers Who Use the Pearl Reference Pure ### Nick Augusto — Trivium **Band & Era:** Trivium, 2010–2014 **Configuration:** Pearl Reference Pure — 22"×18" Bass Drum, 10"×8", 12"×9", 14"×12", 16"×14" Toms **Notes:** Nick Augusto joined Trivium in 2010 as the replacement for Travis Smith, initially as drum technician before stepping in behind the kit. During his four-year tenure, Augusto brought a more technically aggressive approach to Trivium's sound — one that pushed the thrash-metalcore hybrid of albums "In Waves" (2011) and "Vengeance Falls" (2013) toward a tighter, more precise execution than the band's earlier recordings. His Pearl Reference Pure paired naturally with a Sabian AAX cymbal array: 14" Stage Hi-Hats, 18" and 19" X-Plosion Crashes, a 21" Stage Ride, and an 18" AAXtreme China. Pearl Demon Drive double pedals provided the high-speed kick response his playing demanded, while his Pearl Reference 14"×6.5" Brass snare delivered the crack and cut needed to compete with Trivium's dual-guitar attack. The Reference Pure's ability to sustain naturally while remaining controlled under Augusto's powerful hitting was critical to the crisp recorded sound of both albums. After leaving Trivium in 2014, Augusto formed Corrosion and continued touring with Light the Torch. See the full profile → [metalforge.io/drummers/nick-augusto](https://metalforge.io/drummers/nick-augusto) ### Igor Cavalera — Sepultura / Cavalera Conspiracy **Band & Era:** Sepultura / Cavalera Conspiracy, 2006–2016 **Configuration:** Pearl Reference Pure — 22"×18" Bass Drum, 10"×8", 12"×9", 14"×12", 16"×14" Toms **Notes:** Igor Cavalera co-founded Sepultura with his brother Max in 1984 and is one of the most influential drummers in the history of extreme metal. His drumming on landmark albums including "Arise" (1991), "Chaos A.D." (1993), and "Roots" (1996) helped define groove metal and incorporate Brazilian tribal percussion into the vocabulary of heavy music. After leaving Sepultura in 2006 and reuniting with Max in Cavalera Conspiracy, Cavalera explored a range of drum configurations across his expanded post-Sepultura career, including a period with Pearl Reference Pure shells. His hard-hitting, rhythmically sophisticated style — built on tribal groove patterns, powerful rimshots, and an instinctive feel for groove over speed — suits the Pearl Reference Pure's controlled dynamics and natural resonance. His cymbal setup during this period featured Paiste RUDE and 2002 series: 14" RUDE Hi-Hats, 18" and 19" RUDE Crashes, a 22" RUDE Power Ride, and an 18" 2002 China, producing a raw, cutting sound that complemented the Pearl shells' warmth. Cavalera's influence on Latin American metal and his tribal drumming innovations make him one of the most distinctive voices in the instrument's history. See the full profile → [metalforge.io/drummers/igor-cavalera](https://metalforge.io/drummers/igor-cavalera) --- ## About the Pearl Reference Pure Introduced as Pearl's premium all-maple offering within the Reference family, the Reference Pure targets professional players who need a single-species sonic profile without compromises. Key features for metal: - **Shell construction:** 100% maple, 6-ply (Reference Pure) — focused, bright attack; sustain longer than hybrid-ply shells - **Air Suspension System (ADP):** Mounts shells via the lug plate only, eliminating any shell-to-hardware contact that would dampen resonance - **Superior Shell Technology (SST):** Alternating grain direction in steam-bent maple plies for strength without adding mass - **Opti-Loc mounting:** Tom-to-rack and floor-tom leg contact points engineered for maximum vibration isolation - **Lugs:** Pearl's 3D Lugs with low-mass design — minimal contact area on the shell surface - **Price range:** Approximately $3,500–$7,000+ (complete shell kit) depending on configuration The Reference Pure is Pearl's purest acoustic statement and competes directly with Tama's STAR Classic Maple, DW's Collector's Maple, and Sonor's SQ2 in the flagship domestic-production tier. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: Which metal drummers use the Pearl Reference Pure?** A: Nick Augusto of Trivium played the Pearl Reference Pure during his 2010–2014 tenure with the band, using it to record "In Waves" and "Vengeance Falls." Igor Cavalera (Sepultura, Cavalera Conspiracy) also used the Reference Pure across his post-2006 career projects, bringing the kit's natural warmth into a tribal-groove and extreme metal context. **Q: How does the Pearl Reference Pure compare to the Pearl Reference (non-Pure)?** A: The standard Pearl Reference uses a multi-ply shell that blends maple and birch — maple for warmth and attack, birch for brightness and quick decay. The Reference Pure is 100% maple, which gives it a fuller sustain, a warmer fundamental, and a wider tuning range. For metal applications, the Reference Pure's sustain is managed primarily through head selection and damping; the tradeoff for that extra sustain is that the drum requires more deliberate tuning to prevent resonance from washing out clarity in dense mixes. **Q: Is the Pearl Reference Pure good for thrash metal?** A: Yes — the Pearl Reference Pure's bright, punchy maple attack is well-suited to thrash metal applications. Nick Augusto's work with Trivium demonstrates that the kit can handle high-tempo double bass patterns, heavy rimshots, and aggressive snare attacks without losing definition. The key is pairing the shell with responsive, attack-focused heads (such as Evans EMAD on the bass drum) and a cutting snare with minimal overtones, which allows the Pearl's natural resonance to be an asset rather than a liability in fast, dense arrangements. --- [Full Pearl Reference Pure drummers page → metalforge.io/gear/pearl/reference-pure/drummers-using](https://metalforge.io/gear/pearl/reference-pure/drummers-using) *Source: [MetalForge Gear Guides](https://metalforge.io/gear)*