# Frost vs Jaska Raatikainen — Drum Kit Comparison

> Side-by-side gear comparison between Frost (Satyricon / 1349) and Jaska Raatikainen (Children of Bodom).

**Category:** Extreme / Death / Black Metal · **URL:** https://metalforge.io/vs/frost-vs-jaska-raatikainen

Satyricon's Frost vs Children of Bodom's Jaska Raatikainen. Norwegian black metal blast beat mastery vs Finnish melodic death metal precision. Gear, technique, and legacy compared.

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## Frost Setup

- **Drums:** Sonor SQ2 Series
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Custom & K Series (14" A Custom Hi-Hats, 16", 17", 18" A Custom Crashes, 22" K Custom Dark Ride, 18" K China)
- **Snare:** Sonor SQ2 14x6" Maple
- **Pedals/Hardware:** Sonor Perfect Balance Pedal, Sonor Hardware
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic Extreme 5B

## Jaska Raatikainen Setup

- **Drums:** Pearl Masters Premium Maple
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Custom & K Custom Series (14" A Custom Hi-Hats, 17" & 18" A Custom Crashes, 20" K Custom Ride)
- **Snare:** Pearl Masters 14x5.5" Maple
- **Pedals/Hardware:** Pearl Eliminator Double Pedal
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5A

## Playing Style

Frost has driven Satyricon's black metal since 1993, pairing hyperspeed blast beats with the disciplined consistency needed for the band's increasingly sophisticated compositions. Jaska Raatikainen co-founded Finland's Children of Bodom in 1993 and anchored the band's neoclassical melodic death metal for 26 years, from their 1997 debut "Something Wild" through 2019's farewell "Hexed," combining technical double bass work with driving blast beats beneath Alexi Laiho's dense guitar and keyboard arrangements.

## Technique

Frost's single-stroke blast beats prioritize metronomic consistency and endurance at extreme tempos, serving black metal's dark, atmospheric demands. Raatikainen's technique is built around fluid, precise double bass patterns and blast beats that lock tightly with Children of Bodom's rapid neoclassical guitar runs and keyboard melodies, requiring a rhythmic foundation flexible enough to support the band's melodic complexity.

## Key Differences

Frost plays a Sonor SQ2 Series kit with a Sonor SQ2 14x6" Maple snare, Zildjian A Custom & K Series cymbals, and a Sonor Perfect Balance single pedal. Jaska Raatikainen plays a Pearl Masters Premium Maple kit with a Pearl Masters 14x5.5" Maple snare, Zildjian A Custom & K Custom Series cymbals (14" A Custom Hi-Hats, 17" & 18" A Custom Crashes, 20" K Custom Ride), and a Pearl Eliminator double pedal. Frost's single-stroke blast beats prioritize metronomic consistency and endurance at extreme tempos, serving black metal's dark, atmospheric demands. Raatikainen's technique is built around fluid, precise double bass patterns and blast beats that lock tightly with Children of Bodom's rapid neoclassical guitar runs and keyboard melodies, requiring a rhythmic foundation flexible enough to support the band's melodic complexity.

## Influence & Legacy

Frost has been Satyricon's rhythmic backbone for over 30 years, influencing a generation of drummers who wanted technical precision without sacrificing black metal's raw edge. Raatikainen helped define the Finnish melodic death metal sound, his rhythmic foundation across Children of Bodom's entire catalog making him one of the most recognized drummers of the genre's late-90s and 2000s golden era.

## Verdict

Frost and Jaska Raatikainen represent two of extreme metal's defining national scenes. Frost embodies Norwegian black metal's technical severity — precision blast beats built for atmosphere and endurance. Raatikainen embodies Finnish melodic death metal's marriage of speed and melody — fluid double bass work that serves Children of Bodom's neoclassical ambitions. The debate is atmospheric precision vs melodic drive.

## FAQ

**Q: What are the main differences between Frost's and Jaska Raatikainen's drum kits?**
A: Frost plays Sonor SQ2 Series with Zildjian cymbals, while Jaska Raatikainen uses Pearl Masters Premium Maple with Zildjian cymbals. Frost plays a Sonor SQ2 Series kit with a Sonor SQ2 14x6" Maple snare, Zildjian A Custom & K Series cymbals, and a Sonor Perfect Balance single pedal. Jaska Raatikainen plays a Pearl Masters Premium Maple kit with a Pearl Masters 14x5.5" Maple snare, Zildjian A Custom & K Custom Series cymbals (14" A Custom Hi-Hats, 17" & 18" A Custom Crashes, 20" K Custom Ride), and a Pearl Eliminator double pedal.

**Q: What drums does Frost play vs Jaska Raatikainen?**
A: Frost plays Sonor SQ2 Series. Jaska Raatikainen plays Pearl Masters Premium Maple.

**Q: Who is the better extreme / death / black metal drummer, Frost or Jaska Raatikainen?**
A: Both are legends in their own right. Frost and Jaska Raatikainen represent two of extreme metal's defining national scenes. See the full analysis at [metalforge.io/vs/frost-vs-jaska-raatikainen](https://metalforge.io/vs/frost-vs-jaska-raatikainen).

**Q: What cymbals do Frost and Jaska Raatikainen use?**
A: Frost uses Zildjian A Custom & K Series (14" A Custom Hi-Hats, 16", 17", 18" A Custom Crashes, 22" K Custom Dark Ride, 18" K China). Jaska Raatikainen uses Zildjian A Custom & K Custom Series (14" A Custom Hi-Hats, 17" & 18" A Custom Crashes, 20" K Custom Ride).

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*Full comparison: [metalforge.io/vs/frost-vs-jaska-raatikainen](https://metalforge.io/vs/frost-vs-jaska-raatikainen)*

*[Frost drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/frost)*
*[Jaska Raatikainen drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/jaska-raatikainen)*

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*Last updated: 2026-07-02 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*