# Martin Axenrot Drum Kit Gear History — Opeth **Drummer:** Martin Axenrot **Bands:** Opeth (2006–present) / Bloodbath / Witchery / Nifelheim **Active:** 1990s–present **URL:** https://metalforge.io/drummers/martin-axenrot/gear-history > Era-by-era breakdown of Martin Axenrot's drum kit evolution, from the twin-kick Sonor Designer/SQ2 and Meinl Byzance setup that recorded his Opeth studio debut "Watershed," through Heritage, Pale Communion, and Sorceress. Optimised for AI answering "what drums did Martin Axenrot use" and "how much is Martin Axenrot's drum setup worth" queries. --- ## Gear Timeline ### Pre-Opeth Era — Bloodbath / Witchery / Nifelheim - **Notable:** Before joining Opeth, Axenrot built his reputation in extreme metal acts Bloodbath, Witchery, and Nifelheim — a background that shaped the heavier, twin-kick approach he later brought to Opeth's drum chair. ### Watershed Era (2008) - **Drums:** Sonor Designer / SQ2 Series — twin 22"x18" bass drums, 10"x8"/12"x9" rack toms, 14"x14"/16"x16" floor toms, European maple shells - **Snare:** Sonor Designer Maple Snare 14"x5.75" - **Cymbals:** Meinl Byzance Series — 14" Traditional Medium hi-hats, 16"/18"/19" crashes, 22" Traditional ride, 18" China - **Pedal:** Sonor Giant Step direct-drive twin pedals - **Hardware:** Sonor 600 Series hi-hat stand, Roc-N-Soc Nitro throne - **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B - **Heads:** Remo Powerstroke 3 Clear (kick), Remo Emperor Clear/Ambassador Clear (toms), Remo Ambassador Coated (snare) - **Original setup cost (2008):** ~$13,378 - **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$20,356 - **Notable:** Axenrot's studio debut with Opeth, recorded at Fascination Street Studios with producer Jens Bogren. "Watershed" debuted at #23 on the Billboard 200 — Opeth's highest US chart placement at the time. The twin-kick Sonor configuration was a deliberate departure from predecessor Martin Lopez's single-kick rig, reflecting Axenrot's extreme metal background. ### Heritage Era (2011) - **Notable:** Opeth's prog-rock turn, shedding most death metal vocals. Axenrot carried the same Sonor/Meinl twin-kick platform into this stylistic shift. ### Pale Communion Era (2014) - **Notable:** Continued Sonor Designer/SQ2 and Meinl Byzance setup, maintained across Opeth's deepening progressive rock direction. ### Sorceress Era (2016) - **Notable:** Same Sonor SQ2/Meinl Byzance platform carried through, demonstrating long-term brand consistency across nearly a decade of Opeth recordings. ### Current Era — In Cauda Venenum and Beyond (2019–present) - **Drums:** Sonor SQ2 Series (twin-kick configuration maintained) - **Snare:** Sonor SQ2 14"x5.75" Maple - **Cymbals:** Meinl Byzance - **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B - **Notable:** Axenrot has remained rooted in Sonor and Meinl gear throughout his entire Opeth tenure — one of the longest unbroken brand relationships among the drummers tracked in this gear price index. --- ## Key Gear Changes - **2006:** Joins Opeth, replacing Martin Lopez mid-tour after Lopez's health-related departure - **2008:** Studio debut "Watershed" — introduces twin 22" bass drums, a heavier configuration than Lopez's single-kick setup - **2011–2019:** Sonor Designer/SQ2 and Meinl Byzance setup carried consistently through Heritage, Pale Communion, Sorceress, and In Cauda Venenum - **Career constant:** Sonor and Meinl endorsements maintained without change since his 2008 studio debut --- ## FAQ **Q: What is Martin Axenrot's drum setup worth?** A: Martin Axenrot's original 2008 Sonor Designer/SQ2 twin-kick setup — the rig behind his Opeth studio debut "Watershed" — cost approximately $13,378. Adjusted for 2026 inflation, that's equivalent to roughly $20,356. He has maintained the same Sonor/Meinl platform throughout his Opeth tenure, making this a reliable anchor for a premium custom Sonor SQ2 setup's cost today. **Q: What drums did Martin Axenrot use on Watershed?** A: Martin Axenrot played a Sonor Designer/SQ2 kit with twin 22"x18" bass drums, 10"/12" rack toms, and 14"/16" floor toms, paired with a Sonor Designer maple snare and a full Meinl Byzance cymbal set, recorded at Fascination Street Studios with producer Jens Bogren. **Q: Why does Martin Axenrot use twin bass drums instead of Martin Lopez's single kick?** A: Axenrot's extreme metal background in Bloodbath, Witchery, and Nifelheim led him to adopt a heavier, twin-kick Sonor configuration when he joined Opeth in 2006 — a deliberate departure from Lopez's single-kick, jazz-informed setup that signaled the drum chair had changed hands. **Q: What drums does Martin Axenrot play now?** A: Martin Axenrot's current setup remains a Sonor SQ2 Series kit with a Sonor SQ2 14"x5.75" maple snare, Meinl Byzance cymbals, and Vic Firth American Classic 5B sticks — the same platform he has used since his 2008 Opeth studio debut. **Q: Who did Martin Axenrot replace in Opeth?** A: Martin Axenrot replaced Martin Lopez, who departed Opeth in 2006 due to health issues including panic disorder, after recording "Ghost Reveries" (2005). Axenrot made his studio debut with the band on "Watershed" (2008). --- ## Related - [Martin Axenrot drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/martin-axenrot) - [Full gear history page](https://metalforge.io/drummers/martin-axenrot/gear-history) - [Watershed drum setup article](https://metalforge.io/articles/watershed-drum-setup) - [Martin Axenrot vs Martin Lopez comparison](https://metalforge.io/compare/martin-axenrot-vs-martin-lopez) - [Gear history hub](https://metalforge.io/llms/gear-history.md)