# How to Sound Like Nick Augusto — Trivium Drum Sound Guide

**Drummer:** Nick Augusto  
**Band:** Trivium  
**Genre:** Thrash Metal / Metalcore  
**Guide URL:** https://metalforge.io/guides/how-to-sound-like-nick-augusto

## Overview

Nick Augusto joined Trivium in 2010 following the departure of Travis Smith, stepping into one of modern metal's most demanding drum chairs. Over four years and two studio albums — "In Waves" (2011) and "Vengeance Falls" (2013) — he brought a thrash-rooted aggression and technical precision that defined the heaviest phase of Trivium's career.

"In Waves," recorded at Audiohammer Studios with producers Jason Suecof and Mark Lewis, marked a deliberate pivot back toward the band's heavier roots and debuted at #13 on the Billboard 200, powered by Augusto's relentless double-bass work and tight, punching snare attacks. "Vengeance Falls" (2013), produced by David Draiman of Disturbed, pushed toward a more polished sound while Augusto's drumming remained the rhythmic anchor, reaching #15 on the Billboard 200.

## Kit Setup

Augusto played a **Tama Starclassic Performer B/B** kit with birch/bubinga shells:

- **Kick Drum:** 22" x 18" Bass Drums (double kick)
- **Snare:** Tama S.L.P. 14" x 6.5" or Starclassic Snare
- **Rack Toms:** 10" x 8", 12" x 9"
- **Floor Toms:** 16" x 16"
- **Cymbals:** Meinl MB20 and Classics Custom Series — 14" Dark Hi-Hats, 16"/18" Heavy Crashes, 21" Heavy Ride, 18" China
- **Pedals:** Tama Iron Cobra Double Pedal
- **Sticks:** Promark 5B
- **Heads:** Evans EQ3 Clear (kick), Evans Coated (snare), Evans G2 Coated (toms)

## Tuning & Setup

Augusto tuned for punch and attack, keeping Trivium's heavier riffs driving and defined:

- **Kick:** Medium-tight tension, moderate muffling. Punchy, attack-focused tuning keeps fast double bass patterns defined while retaining low-end weight.
- **Snare:** High tension, minimal muffling. A tight, cranked snare delivers the crack and projection needed to cut through the mix.
- **Toms:** Medium tension, one Moongel per tom, tuned roughly a third apart for a focused decay on fills.

## Technique Tips

Augusto plays **matched grip** with an aggressive, high-energy attack rooted in thrash metal fundamentals. His double bass work favors power and drive over technical flash, and his snare hits land hard on the backbeat, with china cymbal accents punctuating Trivium's heavier, metalcore-leaning sections.

**Signature patterns:**

- **Driving Double Bass Groove (150–190 BPM, Intermediate-Advanced):** Double bass locked tightly with palm-muted riffs. Practice matching the guitar's exact rhythm before adding variations.
- **Hard Backbeat Attack (140–180 BPM, Intermediate):** Consistent, aggressive snare hits on beats 2 and 4 without rushing or dragging tempo.
- **China Accent Punctuation (Variable, Intermediate):** China cymbal hits placed only at riff transitions and breakdown entries, not scattered randomly.

**Key songs to study:** *In Waves* (In Waves, 2011) · *Built to Fall* (In Waves, 2011) · *Vengeance Falls* (Vengeance Falls, 2013) · *Black* (In Waves, 2011)

## Gear Shopping List

| Item | Augusto's Spec | Budget Alternative |
|------|-------------|-------------------|
| Drum Kit | Tama Starclassic Performer B/B | Tama Imperialstar or Tama Superstar (~$650) |
| Snare | Tama S.L.P. 14" x 6.5" | Pearl Sensitone Steel or Ludwig Supraphonic |
| Cymbals | Meinl MB20 / Classics Custom | Meinl HCS Pack (~$200) |
| Pedal | Tama Iron Cobra Double | Tama Speed Cobra or DW 5000 |
| Sticks | Promark 5B | Vic Firth 5B or Vater Power 5B |
| Kick Head | Evans EQ3 Clear | Remo Powerstroke P3 Clear |

**Starter budget path (~$950):** Tama Imperialstar + Meinl HCS pack + Tama Speed Cobra single pedal. See [/brands/tama](https://metalforge.io/brands/tama) and [/brands/meinl](https://metalforge.io/brands/meinl).

## Practice Routine

1. **Riff-Locked Double Bass Drill (15 min daily):** Pick a palm-muted thrash riff and practice a double bass pattern that matches its exact rhythm at full volume and commitment.
2. **Backbeat Consistency Builder (10 min daily):** Play quarter notes on the hi-hat while hitting the snare at maximum controlled volume on beats 2 and 4 for two minutes straight.
3. **Structural Accent Mapping (10 min daily):** Map out riff transitions in a song, then place china accents only at those transition points.

**Common mistakes:** Playing double bass without matching the riff's exact rhythmic feel; letting the backbeat lose consistency during longer passages; scattering china accents randomly; under-tuning the snare and losing crack.

## FAQ

**Q: When was Nick Augusto in Trivium?**  
A: Nick Augusto was Trivium's drummer from 2010 to 2014, recording two studio albums: "In Waves" (2011) and "Vengeance Falls" (2013).

**Q: What gear did Nick Augusto use with Trivium?**  
A: Augusto played a Tama Starclassic Performer B/B kit with a Tama S.L.P. 14" x 6.5" snare, Meinl MB20 and Classics Custom cymbals, a Tama Iron Cobra double pedal, and Promark 5B sticks.

**Q: Why did Nick Augusto leave Trivium?**  
A: Augusto parted ways with Trivium in 2014, citing creative differences. He was replaced by Mat Madiro, and Alex Bent later joined the band in 2017.

**Q: What albums best showcase Nick Augusto's drumming?**  
A: "In Waves" (2011) is the definitive showcase of his thrash-rooted aggression and driving double bass work. "Vengeance Falls" (2013) highlights his hard backbeat attack under David Draiman's more polished production.

**Q: How do I get Nick Augusto's drum sound?**  
A: Tune the kick for punch and attack, crank the snare high for maximum crack, and lock every double bass pattern to the guitar riff's exact rhythm. Commit fully to each stroke.

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**Full interactive guide:** [https://metalforge.io/guides/how-to-sound-like-nick-augusto](https://metalforge.io/guides/how-to-sound-like-nick-augusto)  
**Drummer profile:** [https://metalforge.io/drummer/nick-augusto](https://metalforge.io/drummer/nick-augusto)  
**Related album article:** [Nick Augusto's Drum Setup — Trivium's In Waves & Vengeance Falls Era Kit Guide](https://metalforge.io/guides/nick-augusto-drum-setup)  
**Related guides:** [Alex Bent](https://metalforge.io/llms/guides/how-to-sound-like-alex-bent.md) · [Chris Adler](https://metalforge.io/llms/guides/how-to-sound-like-chris-adler.md)

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