# How to Sound Like Art Cruz — Modern Groove Metal Technique Guide

**Drummer:** Art Cruz  
**Band:** Lamb of God  
**Genre:** Groove Metal / Thrash Metal  
**Guide URL:** https://metalforge.io/guides/how-to-sound-like-art-cruz

## Overview

Art Cruz became Lamb of God's drummer in 2019, stepping in for Chris Adler after first filling in on the band's 2018 North American tour supporting Slayer's farewell run. It's one of modern metal's toughest drum chairs to inherit — Adler's technical precision defined Lamb of God's sound for two decades — and Cruz answered by recording the band's 2020 self-titled album and 2022's "Omens," reenergizing the band's groove while honoring its legacy.

Before Lamb of God, Cruz built his reputation the hard way: extensive touring and recording with Winds of Plague and Prong, developing the reliability and power that made him a natural fit when Lamb of God needed a drummer who could handle Adler's catalog live while bringing his own explosive dynamics to new material.

## Kit Setup

Cruz plays a **Ludwig Drums (Classic Maple/Oak)** kit:

- **Kick Drums:** 22" x 18" Bass Drums (x2, double bass configuration)
- **Snare:** Ludwig 14" x 6.5" Black Beauty Snare
- **Rack Toms:** 10", 12"
- **Floor Toms:** 16", 18"
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Custom Series — 14" Mastersound Hi-Hats, 18"/19"/20" Crashes, 21" A Zildjian Mega Bell Ride, 19" Ultra Hammered China
- **Pedal:** Trick Pro 1-V Double Pedal
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B
- **Heads:** Evans EQ3 Clear (kick), Evans Coated (snare), Evans G2 Coated (toms)

## Tuning & Setup

Cruz tunes for full-bodied power that still stays articulate enough for precise, syncopated riff-lock patterns and sudden dynamic contrast:

- **Kick:** Medium tension, moderate/focused attack muffling. Balances boom and attack for weight and double-bass articulation.
- **Snare:** Medium-high tension, light muffling. The Black Beauty's bronze shell cuts through the downtuned mix without losing its rich overtone character.
- **Toms:** Medium tension, light muffling. Evans G2 Coated heads keep toms responsive for Cruz's dynamic, explosive fills.

## Technique Tips

Cruz's playing combines Lamb of God's established groove-metal foundation with an explosive, dynamic edge shaped by his thrash and deathcore background — precise, syncopated grooves that hit harder through sudden dynamic shifts rather than constant intensity.

**Signature patterns:**

- **Syncopated Groove Metal Riff-Lock (120–160 BPM, Intermediate-Advanced):** Precise snare and kick placement that locks tightly with Lamb of God's syncopated, palm-muted riffing rather than a generic backbeat.
- **Explosive Dynamic Drops (Variable, Advanced):** Sudden, deliberate dynamic contrast — dropping to near silence before an explosive re-entry — to make the heaviest sections hit harder.
- **Precise Double Bass Patterns (150–190 BPM, Advanced):** Double bass work favoring precision and consistency, locking exactly with the riff's rhythmic subdivisions rather than blanket 16th notes.

**Key songs to study:** *Memento Mori* (Omens, Lamb of God, 2022) · *Nevermore* (Lamb of God, Lamb of God, 2020) · *Laid to Rest* (Ashes of the Wake, live performance, 2022) · *Ditch* (Omens, Lamb of God, 2022)

## Gear Shopping List

| Item | Cruz's Spec | Budget Alternative |
|------|-------------|-------------------|
| Drum Kit | Ludwig Classic Maple/Oak | Pearl Export (~$750) |
| Snare | Ludwig 14" x 6.5" Black Beauty | Any 14" bronze/brass shell snare, medium-high tuning |
| Cymbals | Zildjian A Custom Series | Zildjian ZBT hi-hats + crash (~$180) |
| Pedal | Trick Pro 1-V Double Pedal | DW 3000 Double Pedal (~$150) |
| Sticks | Vic Firth American Classic 5B | Promark 5B |
| Heads | Evans EQ3 / Coated / G2 | Same, full-bodied tuning |

**Starter budget path (~$1,050):** Pearl Export + Zildjian ZBT pack + DW 3000 double pedal. See [/brands/ludwig](https://metalforge.io/brands/ludwig) and [/brands/zildjian](https://metalforge.io/brands/zildjian).

## Practice Routine

1. **Riff-Lock Precision Drill (15 min daily):** Learn a groove-metal riff's exact accent placement by ear, then build a drum pattern that reinforces those specific accents.
2. **Dynamic Contrast Drill (10 min daily):** Play a groove that drops to near-silent ghost notes for two bars, then explodes back to full power on cue.
3. **Riff-Locked Double Bass Drill (15 min daily):** Practice a double bass pattern against a specific riff's rhythmic subdivision so your feet lock with the guitar's exact rhythm.

**Common mistakes:** Playing a generic backbeat instead of locking precisely with a riff's syncopated accents; keeping dynamics too consistent instead of using sudden, deliberate contrast; practicing double bass in isolation instead of locked against a riff's subdivisions; over-tightening the snare past medium-high, choking the Black Beauty's resonant overtones.

## FAQ

**Q: How did Art Cruz become Lamb of God's drummer?**  
A: Cruz filled in for Chris Adler on Lamb of God's 2018 North American tour supporting Slayer's farewell run, then officially became the band's drummer in 2019. He recorded the band's 2020 self-titled album and 2022's "Omens" as his first studio work with the band.

**Q: What gear should I use to sound like Art Cruz?**  
A: Cruz plays a Ludwig drum kit with a 14" x 6.5" Ludwig Black Beauty bronze snare, Zildjian A Custom cymbals, a Trick Pro 1-V double pedal, and Vic Firth American Classic 5B sticks.

**Q: What was Art Cruz's drumming background before Lamb of God?**  
A: Cruz built his reputation through extensive touring and recording with Winds of Plague and Prong, developing the reliability, power, and versatility that made him a natural fit to handle Chris Adler's technical catalog live while bringing his own explosive dynamics to new material.

**Q: What songs best showcase Art Cruz's technique?**  
A: "Memento Mori" and "Ditch" from 2022's "Omens" showcase his explosive dynamic drops and precise, riff-locked double bass work, while "Nevermore" from the 2020 self-titled album marks his studio debut with the band.

**Q: What should I practice first to sound like Art Cruz?**  
A: Start with the Riff-Lock Precision Drill — learning a groove-metal riff's exact syncopated accents by ear, then building a drum pattern that reinforces those specific accents.

---

**Full interactive guide:** [https://metalforge.io/guides/how-to-sound-like-art-cruz](https://metalforge.io/guides/how-to-sound-like-art-cruz)  
**Drummer profile:** [https://metalforge.io/drummer/art-cruz](https://metalforge.io/drummer/art-cruz)  
**Related album article:** [Lamb of God (2020) Drum Setup: Art Cruz's Recording Debut](https://metalforge.io/articles/lamb-of-god-self-titled-drum-setup)  
**Related guides:** [Chris Adler](https://metalforge.io/llms/guides/how-to-sound-like-chris-adler.md) · [Charlie Benante](https://metalforge.io/llms/guides/how-to-sound-like-charlie-benante.md)

*Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io) · Last updated: 2026-07-01*