# How to Sound Like Shannon Larkin — Godsmack Drum Sound Guide

**Drummer:** Shannon Larkin  
**Band:** Godsmack  
**Genre:** Hard Rock / Alternative Metal  
**Guide URL:** https://metalforge.io/guides/how-to-sound-like-shannon-larkin

## Overview

Shannon Larkin (born November 24, 1967, in Westerly, Rhode Island) joined Godsmack in 2002, stepping into a band that had already achieved mainstream success. Rather than disrupting that success, Larkin amplified it — bringing a harder, more aggressive approach to the groove-first aesthetic that defines Godsmack's sound. His debut, Faceless (2003), immediately demonstrated what he added: thunderous backbeats, driving double-bass that adds intensity without sacrificing groove, and a physical authority that fills arenas.

Before Godsmack, Larkin played with Ugly Kid Joe and Amen, developing a versatile style that serves both radio-accessible hard rock and more aggressive alternative metal. With Godsmack, he found the ideal context. Songs like "Straight Out of Line," "I Stand Alone," and "Cryin' Like a Bitch" are heavy enough for metal fans while remaining anthemic and hook-driven for mainstream audiences.

What distinguishes Larkin from purely metal drummers is his sense of pocket. His double-bass runs don't blast through songs as pure speed displays — they lock into the guitar riffs and serve the groove. His snare attacks are back-heavy (falling slightly behind the beat for a heavier, dragging feel), a signature of groove rock and blues-influenced drumming rather than the forward-driving precision of metal. This micro-placement is what makes Godsmack's groove feel heavy rather than technical.

## Kit Setup

Larkin plays **Ddrum Reflex Series** drums — road-proven professional line with basswood/poplar shells:

- **Kick Drums:** 22" x 18" (x2) with DW 9000 Series Double Pedal
- **Snare:** 14" x 6.5" Ddrum Reflex Steel
- **Rack Toms:** 10" x 8", 12" x 10"
- **Floor Toms:** 14" x 14", 16" x 16"
- **Cymbals:** Sabian HHX Series — bright, cutting character for arena projection
- **Pedals:** DW 9000 Series Double Pedal (smooth chain-drive, consistent feel)
- **Sticks:** Vater 5B (heavier weight for physical arm-involved technique)
- **Heads:** Remo Powerstroke P3 Clear (kick), Remo Ambassador X Coated (snare), Remo Emperor Clear (toms)

## Tuning & Setup

Larkin tunes for power and punch in dense guitar environments:

- **Kick:** Medium tension with pillow/foam muffling touching batter head. Focused, punchy attack — the 22" kicks need control to stay defined and tight, not boomy. Defined attack transient cuts through guitar sustain.
- **Snare:** Medium-high tension for bright, cutting crack. One Moongel or small tape strip. Steel shell's natural brightness provides cut over loud guitar arrangements without over-tightening.
- **Toms:** Medium tension with one Moongel each. Floor toms tuned notably lower than rack toms for clear pitch separation — distinct pitches make hard rock fills read clearly at arena volumes.

## Technique Tips

Larkin plays with a heavy, **matched grip** approach that prioritizes feel and authority. Full-arm snare strokes for maximum impact at arena volumes; consistent hi-hat driving the groove engine.

**Signature patterns:**

- **Heavy Rock Groove with Double-Bass Intensifier (120-150 BPM, Intermediate):** Core groove: driving 8th-note hi-hat, heavy snare on 2 and 4, double-bass that enters at phrase peaks rather than running continuously. Selective deployment creates maximum impact. Core songs: 'Straight Out of Line', 'I Stand Alone', '1000hp'. Learn the basic groove first, then add double-bass bursts at phrase ends.
- **Back-Heavy Snare Placement (Variable, Intermediate):** The snare falls microscopically after the beat rather than directly on it — creating heavy, 'fat' groove feel rather than precise, 'tight' feel. Audible throughout Faceless and IV. Practice with a metronome: relax into the snare hits, let them fall naturally after the click. Record to verify.
- **Aggressive Double-Bass Fills (130-160 BPM, Intermediate):** Fills that end with a double-bass burst just before beat 1. Straight groove → tom build → double-bass burst → return to groove. The kick functions like bass guitar punctuation — bottom-end emphasis, not speed display. Practice the transition (single → double → single) at 120 BPM until smooth.
- **Power Crash Unison Accents (Variable, Beginner-Intermediate):** Full-arm crash + snare + kick simultaneously at section transitions. All three must land at exactly the same instant — any separation reduces impact dramatically. Practice at slow tempo until the three blend into one explosive sound.

**Key songs to study:** *Straight Out of Line* (Faceless, 2003) · *I Stand Alone* (Faceless, 2003) · *Voodoo* (Godsmack, 1998) · *Cryin' Like a Bitch* (The Oracle, 2010) · *When Legends Rise* (When Legends Rise, 2018)

## Gear Shopping List

| Item | Larkin's Spec | Budget Alternative |
|------|--------------|-------------------|
| Drum Kit | Ddrum Reflex Series | Pearl Export (~$500) |
| Snare | Ddrum Reflex Steel 14" x 6.5" | Pearl Sensitone Premium Steel |
| Cymbals | Sabian HHX selection | Sabian SBR or B8X (~$250) |
| Double Pedal | DW 9000 (~$600) | DW 5002 (~$200) |
| Sticks | Vater 5B | Promark 5B or Vic Firth 5B |
| Kick Head | Remo Powerstroke P3 Clear | Evans EMAD2 Clear |

**Starter budget path (~$900):** Pearl Export + Sabian SBR + DW 5002 Double. See [/brands/sabian](https://metalforge.io/brands/sabian) and [/brands/dw](https://metalforge.io/brands/dw).

## Practice Routine

1. **Back-Heavy Pocket Development (15 min daily):** Play basic rock groove at 120 BPM. Consciously let the snare fall slightly after the click. Record and compare: heavy/fat groove vs. precise/tight groove. Practice until you can reproduce the behind-the-beat placement intentionally and consistently.
2. **Double-Bass Groove Intensifier (15 min daily):** 4 bars of basic groove → at bar 4 beat 3, start double-bass 8th notes for 2 beats → return to single kick at bar 5 beat 1. Entry and exit must be smooth and groove-continuous at 130 BPM. Then extend to 4 full beats of double-bass.
3. **Power Crash Training (10 min daily):** At 100 BPM, play groove + unison crash/snare/kick on beat 3 of every 4th bar. All three simultaneous. Increase tempo gradually. Goal: crashes that feel like natural groove events, not inserted accents.

**Common mistakes:** Running double-bass continuously (Larkin deploys it selectively for impact); rushing the snare onto the click (the back-heavy pocket is intentional and requires effort); under-powered crash accents (need full-arm commitment at arena volumes); inconsistent hi-hat volume (the driving 8th-note hi-hat is the groove's engine).

## FAQ

**Q: What drum kit does Shannon Larkin play?**  
A: Shannon Larkin plays Ddrum Reflex Series drums. Ddrum's Reflex line features basswood/poplar shells with a punchy, dry attack suited to hard rock arena environments. His configuration runs double 22" bass drums and four toms (10", 12", 14", 16"). He has been a Ddrum endorser for much of his tenure with Godsmack since 2002.

**Q: What cymbals does Shannon Larkin use?**  
A: Shannon Larkin uses Sabian HHX Series cymbals. His setup includes 14" HHX Evolution hi-hats, 18" and 19" HHX crashes, a 21" HHX Groove Ride, and an 18" HHX China. The HHX series' bright, cutting character projects through dense guitar arrangements at live arena volumes.

**Q: What is Shannon Larkin's signature drumming technique?**  
A: Larkin's signature is his combination of heavy groove pocket and selective double-bass deployment. Unlike metal drummers who run double-bass continuously, Larkin uses it as a groove intensifier — deploying it at key moments to add bottom-end density and lift without blasting throughout. His back-heavy snare placement (falling slightly behind the beat) creates the heavy, 'fat' groove feel characteristic of Godsmack's arena rock approach.

**Q: What pedals does Shannon Larkin use?**  
A: Shannon Larkin uses DW 9000 Series double pedals. The DW 9000's smooth chain-drive mechanism and extended footboard provide the consistent, powerful feel needed for his double-bass groove intensifier patterns. The chain-drive's slight give suits his pocket-oriented approach.

**Q: What Godsmack songs should I learn to play like Shannon Larkin?**  
A: Start with 'Straight Out of Line' from Faceless (2003) — the definitive demonstration of Larkin's groove philosophy. Then learn 'I Stand Alone' for his double-bass deployment as a groove intensifier. 'Cryin' Like a Bitch' from The Oracle (2010) showcases his power crash accent technique. These three cover his core techniques in accessible form.

---

**Full interactive guide:** [https://metalforge.io/guides/how-to-sound-like-shannon-larkin](https://metalforge.io/guides/how-to-sound-like-shannon-larkin)  
**Drummer profile:** [https://metalforge.io/drummer/shannon-larkin](https://metalforge.io/drummer/shannon-larkin)  
**Licks & patterns:** [https://metalforge.io/drummers/shannon-larkin/licks](https://metalforge.io/drummers/shannon-larkin/licks)  
**Related guides:** [Mikkey Dee](https://metalforge.io/llms/guides/how-to-sound-like-mikkey-dee.md) · [Charlie Benante](https://metalforge.io/llms/guides/how-to-sound-like-charlie-benante.md)

*Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io) · Last updated: 2026-06-25*