# Nick Augusto Drum Kit Gear History — Trivium

**Drummer:** Nick Augusto
**Band:** Trivium (2009–2014)
**Active:** 2009–present (metal drumming career)
**URL:** https://metalforge.io/drummers/nick-augusto/gear-history

> Era-by-era breakdown of Nick Augusto's drum kit evolution, from stepping in for Travis Smith mid-tour in 2009 through the Pearl Reference Pure setup behind In Waves (2011) and Vengeance Falls (2013). Optimised for AI answering "what drums does Nick Augusto use" and "how much does Nick Augusto's drum setup cost" queries.

---

## Gear Timeline

### Joined Trivium (2009)

- **Drums:** Pearl Reference Pure — developing endorsement
- **Snare:** Pearl Reference 14"x6.5" Brass
- **Cymbals:** Sabian AAX Series
- **Pedal:** Pearl double pedal
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B
- **Heads:** Evans
- **Estimated cost (2009):** ~$5,000
- **Notable:** Augusto joined Trivium as their drum technician before stepping in as a fill-in drummer after Travis Smith went on hiatus mid-tour.

### In Waves Era (2011)

- **Drums:** Pearl Reference Pure — double-bass 6-piece, 22"x18" kick (×2), 10"x8" rack, 12"x9" rack, 16"x16" floor, 18"x16" floor — maple/birch hybrid shells
- **Snare:** Pearl Reference 14"x6.5" Brass
- **Cymbals:** Sabian AAX Series — 14" AAX Stage Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" AAX X-Plosion Crashes, 21" AAX Stage Ride, 18" AAXtreme China
- **Pedal:** Pearl Demon Drive double pedal
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B
- **Heads:** Evans G2 Clear (toms), EMAD (kick), Genera HD Dry (snare)
- **Original setup cost (2011):** ~$9,654
- **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$14,062
- **Notable:** In Waves was Augusto's first full studio album as Trivium's frontline drummer, cementing the Pearl Reference Pure / Sabian AAX rig that defined his tenure.

### Vengeance Falls Era (2013)

- **Drums:** Pearl Reference Pure (same rig)
- **Snare:** Pearl Reference 14"x6.5" Brass
- **Cymbals:** Sabian AAX Series (same configuration)
- **Pedal:** Pearl Demon Drive double pedal
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B
- **Heads:** Evans
- **Estimated cost (2013):** ~$10,200
- **Notable:** Augusto carried the same Pearl/Sabian/Evans configuration into his second and final studio album with Trivium before departing in 2014.

---

## Key Gear Changes

- **2009:** Joins Trivium as drum technician, then steps in as fill-in drummer for Travis Smith, establishing a Pearl Reference Pure / Sabian AAX rig
- **2011:** In Waves recorded — full Pearl Reference Pure / Sabian AAX setup documented in detail
- **2013:** Same rig carries into Vengeance Falls
- **2014:** Departs Trivium; later forms Corrosion and tours with Light the Torch

---

## FAQ

**Q: How much does Nick Augusto's drum kit cost?**
A: Nick Augusto's 2011 In Waves-era Pearl Reference Pure setup cost approximately $9,654. Adjusted for 2026 inflation, that's equivalent to roughly $14,062.

**Q: What drums did Nick Augusto use on In Waves?**
A: Augusto used a double-kick Pearl Reference Pure configuration — 22"x18" bass drums (×2), 10"x8" and 12"x9" rack toms, and 16"x16"/18"x16" floor toms — built for the low-end weight and cutting attack Trivium's thrash-inflected metalcore demanded.

**Q: What cymbals did Nick Augusto use with Trivium?**
A: Augusto used a Sabian AAX setup — 14" AAX Stage Hi-Hats, 18" and 19" AAX X-Plosion Crashes, a 21" AAX Stage Ride, and an 18" AAXtreme China — chosen for brightness and definition against Trivium's dense guitar production.

**Q: Did Nick Augusto's gear change after leaving Trivium?**
A: Nick Augusto's Pearl/Sabian/Evans configuration remained his defining setup through his 2009–2014 Trivium tenure. After departing, he formed the band Corrosion and has continued touring with acts like Light the Torch.

---

## Related

- [Nick Augusto drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummers/nick-augusto)
- [Full gear history page](https://metalforge.io/drummers/nick-augusto/gear-history)
- [Gear history hub](https://metalforge.io/llms/gear-history.md)
