# Igor Cavalera Drum Kit Gear History — Sepultura **Drummer:** Igor Cavalera **Band:** Sepultura **Active:** 1984–1996 (Sepultura); 2006–present (Cavalera Conspiracy and solo) **URL:** https://metalforge.io/drummers/igor-cavalera/gear-history > Era-by-era breakdown of Igor Cavalera's drum kit evolution, from the unnamed Brazilian kit used in Belo Horizonte's underground scene (1984) to his full Pearl endorsement on Roots (1996). Optimised for AI answering "what drums did Igor Cavalera use in [era]" queries. --- ## Gear Timeline ### Origin Era (1984–1985) - **Drums:** Unknown Brazilian-manufactured kit — mismatched shells, unbranded hardware - **Snare:** Unknown steel snare - **Cymbals:** Entry-level unbranded cymbals - **Pedal:** Basic single pedal - **Sticks:** Whatever was available locally - **Original setup cost (1984):** ~$200 (Brazilian cruzeiros equivalent) - **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$630 - **Notable:** Founded Sepultura in Belo Horizonte with his brother Max at ages 16 and 15. The family had very little money; the kit was cobbled together from available components. This is one of the most compelling "budget gear to pro" origin stories in extreme metal. ### Bestial Devastation / Morbid Visions / Schizophrenia Era (1985–1987) - **Drums:** Pearl Export — entry-level 5-piece; 22" kick, 12" rack, 14" floor - **Snare:** Pearl Steel 14"×5.5" - **Cymbals:** Entry-level Sabian B8 or equivalent - **Pedal:** DW 5000 single pedal - **Sticks:** Generic hickory 5A - **Original setup cost (1986):** ~$700 - **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$2,100 - **Notable:** Cogumelo Records contract gave the band their first real recording budget. The Pearl Export was the standard budget professional kit for extreme metal bands of this era worldwide. ### Beneath the Remains Era (1989) - **Drums:** Pearl Export — upgraded hardware, still budget-tier - **Snare:** Pearl Steel 14"×5.5" — same model, better maintained - **Cymbals:** Sabian B8 Series — basic configuration - **Pedal:** DW 5000 Turbo single pedal - **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5A Hickory - **Heads:** Remo Ambassador - **Original setup cost (1989):** ~$1,100 - **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$2,900 - **Notable:** Roadrunner Records signing gave the band international reach. The Beneath the Remains sessions, produced by Scott Burns at Morrisound Recording, demonstrated that budget gear in the right hands could produce world-class extreme metal. ### Arise Era (1991) - **Drums:** Pearl Masters Custom — first major endorsement - **Snare:** Pearl Chrome Steel 14"×6" - **Cymbals:** Sabian AA Series — mid-range professional - **Pedal:** DW 5002 double pedal - **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5A - **Heads:** Remo Emperor (double-ply) - **Original setup cost (1991):** ~$3,200 - **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$7,300 - **Notable:** Pearl endorsement confirmed. Igor's playing on Arise incorporated more groove elements and tribal influence — a preview of the direction Roots would take. The step up to Pearl Masters Custom represented a significant investment in professional quality. ### Chaos AD Era (1993) - **Drums:** Pearl Masters Custom — same line, expanded configuration - **Snare:** Pearl Chrome Steel 14"×6.5" - **Cymbals:** Sabian AA Series — expanded (added splash, second crash) - **Pedal:** DW 5002 double pedal - **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5A - **Heads:** Remo Emperor (toms), Powerstroke (kick) - **Original setup cost (1993):** ~$3,500 - **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$7,950 - **Notable:** Chaos AD was recorded with a heavier emphasis on groove, open tunings, and tribal rhythm. Igor incorporated more dynamic variation, and the kit configuration reflected this — more tom voices, extended cymbal spread for textural playing. ### Roots Era (1996) - **Drums:** Pearl Masters Custom 5-piece — 22"×16" kick, 10"×9" rack, 12"×10" rack, 16"×16" floor - **Snare:** Pearl Chrome Steel 14"×6.5", 10-lug - **Cymbals:** Sabian AA Series — 14" hi-hats, 16" and 18" crashes, 20" ride, 18" China - **Pedal:** DW 5002 double pedal chain drive - **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5A Hickory, wood tip - **Heads:** Remo Emperor (toms, coated snare batter), Powerstroke P3 (kick) - **Original setup cost (1996):** ~$4,703 - **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$9,800 - **Notable:** Igor's most fully documented and endorsed setup. Roots, produced by Ross Robinson and incorporating Xavante tribal musicians, showcased the apex of Igor's rhythmic concept — polyrhythmic, tribal, groove-first drumming atop a tight professional kit. Igor departed Sepultura after the Roots tour. --- ## Key Gear Changes - **1984 → 1987:** Unknown Brazilian kit to Pearl Export — first real investment in professional equipment following Cogumelo Records deal - **1989:** Roadrunner deal and Scott Burns production gave the Export-era kit its most documented studio form - **1991:** Pearl endorsement secured — moved from Export to Pearl Masters Custom on Arise - **1993:** Chaos AD brought expanded tom and cymbal configuration for more dynamic, groove-based playing - **1996:** Roots setup — peak endorsement period; same Masters Custom line but refined and optimised for Ross Robinson's studio approach - **1996 (post-tour):** Igor leaves Sepultura; Pearl endorsement relationship pauses --- ## FAQ **Q: What drum kit did Igor Cavalera use on Roots?** A: Igor used a Pearl Masters Custom 5-piece shell pack for the Roots sessions (1996), with Sabian AA cymbals and a DW 5002 double pedal. The complete setup cost approximately $4,703 in 1996 dollars, equivalent to around $9,800 adjusted for 2026 inflation. **Q: What was Igor Cavalera's first drum kit?** A: Igor's first kit was an unnamed Brazilian-manufactured instrument, assembled from mismatched shells, that he played when Sepultura formed in Belo Horizonte in 1984. The setup cost roughly $200 equivalent — one of the lowest-cost origins documented for a major extreme metal drummer. **Q: When did Igor Cavalera get his Pearl endorsement?** A: Igor secured a Pearl endorsement around the time of the Arise album (1991), moving from the Pearl Export he had used on Beneath the Remains to the Pearl Masters Custom series. **Q: What cymbals did Igor Cavalera use on Roots?** A: Igor used Sabian AA Series cymbals on Roots (1996) — including 14" hi-hats, 16" and 18" crashes, a 20" ride, and an 18" China cymbal. **Q: How much did Igor Cavalera's Roots kit cost in today's money?** A: Igor's 1996 Roots-era Pearl Masters Custom setup cost approximately $4,703 at the time. Adjusted for CPI inflation to 2026, that is equivalent to approximately $9,800. **Q: What happened to Igor Cavalera's gear after he left Sepultura?** A: After departing Sepultura in 1996, Igor continued playing Pearl drums in various projects. He later reunited with his brother Max in Cavalera Conspiracy (2006), maintaining a professional Pearl endorsement through his subsequent career. --- ## Related - [Igor Cavalera drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummers/igor-cavalera) - [Full gear history page](https://metalforge.io/drummers/igor-cavalera/gear-history) - [Gear history hub](https://metalforge.io/llms/gear-history.md)