# Martin Lopez vs Gavin Harrison — Drum Kit Comparison > Side-by-side gear comparison between Martin Lopez (Soen / ex-Opeth) and Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree / King Crimson). **Category:** Progressive Metal · **URL:** https://metalforge.io/vs/martin-lopez-vs-gavin-harrison Opeth's Martin Lopez vs Porcupine Tree's Gavin Harrison — jazz-death fusion vs polyrhythmic art-rock precision. Two progressive drumming legends with strikingly different approaches compared. --- ## Martin Lopez Setup - **Drums:** Noble & Cooley Walnut - **Cymbals:** Zildjian K Dark Series (14" K Dark Thin Hi-Hats, 18" & 20" K Dark Medium Thin Crashes, 22" K Dark Light Ride, 18" K China) - **Snare:** Noble & Cooley Solid Shell 14x6" Maple - **Pedals/Hardware:** Axis Percussion Double Pedal, DW 9100 Throne - **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5A ## Gavin Harrison Setup - **Drums:** Sonor SQ2 Series - **Cymbals:** Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Series (14" Hi-Hats, 16" & 18" Crashes, 21" Special Dry Ride, 18" Trash China) - **Snare:** Sonor Gavin Harrison Signature 12x5" & 14x5.25" - **Pedals/Hardware:** Sonor Perfect Balance Pedal, Sonor 600 Series Hardware - **Sticks:** Vic Firth Gavin Harrison Signature ## Playing Style Martin Lopez brought jazz finesse to progressive death metal during Opeth's classic era — his drumming on *Blackwater Park* and *Deliverance* emphasized feel, ghost notes, and melodic tom work over pure technicality, giving Opeth's crushing riffs an unusually musical foundation. Gavin Harrison built his reputation on meticulous polyrhythmic precision with Porcupine Tree and King Crimson — his playing is defined by intricate ghost-note layering and the ability to make impossibly complex odd-time signatures feel like natural, breathing grooves. ## Technique Lopez's jazz-influenced approach favors dynamic restraint and creative hi-hat work, weaving improvisational feel into death metal's heavier passages — a style built on musicality rather than raw speed. Harrison specializes in linear drumming and polyrhythmic layering, using deep musical instinct to construct grooves that sound simple on the surface but reveal staggering complexity on close listen. ## Key Differences Lopez plays a Noble & Cooley Walnut kit with a Noble & Cooley Solid Shell 14x6" Maple snare, Zildjian K Dark Series cymbals, and an Axis Percussion double pedal. Harrison plays a Sonor SQ2 Series kit with his signature Sonor 12x5" & 14x5.25" snares, Zildjian K Custom Special Dry cymbals, and a Sonor Perfect Balance pedal. Lopez's jazz-influenced approach favors dynamic restraint and creative hi-hat work, weaving improvisational feel into death metal's heavier passages — a style built on musicality rather than raw speed. Harrison specializes in linear drumming and polyrhythmic layering, using deep musical instinct to construct grooves that sound simple on the surface but reveal staggering complexity on close listen. ## Influence & Legacy Lopez's tenure defined Opeth's most celebrated albums and proved progressive death metal could be as musical as it was heavy — his tasteful, jazz-informed style influenced a generation of progressive metal drummers to prioritize feel over flash. Harrison elevated Porcupine Tree, King Crimson, and The Pineapple Thief to art-rock's technical pinnacle, earning multiple Modern Drummer Reader Poll wins and a reputation as the prog drummer's drummer. ## Verdict Martin Lopez and Gavin Harrison approach progressive drumming from opposite directions. Lopez channels jazz feel into crushing death metal, making Opeth's Blackwater Park era feel as musical as it is heavy. Harrison channels obsessive polyrhythmic precision into art-rock, making Porcupine Tree's and King Crimson's complexity sound effortless. One brings improvisational soul to metal; the other brings mathematical elegance to rock. Both proved progressive drumming doesn't require sacrificing musicality for complexity. ## FAQ **Q: What are the main differences between Martin Lopez's and Gavin Harrison's drum kits?** A: Martin Lopez plays Noble & Cooley Walnut with Zildjian cymbals, while Gavin Harrison uses Sonor SQ2 Series with Zildjian cymbals. Lopez plays a Noble & Cooley Walnut kit with a Noble & Cooley Solid Shell 14x6" Maple snare, Zildjian K Dark Series cymbals, and an Axis Percussion double pedal. Harrison plays a Sonor SQ2 Series kit with his signature Sonor 12x5" & 14x5.25" snares, Zildjian K Custom Special Dry cymbals, and a Sonor Perfect Balance pedal. **Q: What drums does Martin Lopez play vs Gavin Harrison?** A: Martin Lopez plays Noble & Cooley Walnut. Gavin Harrison plays Sonor SQ2 Series. **Q: Who is the better progressive metal drummer, Martin Lopez or Gavin Harrison?** A: Both are legends in their own right. Martin Lopez and Gavin Harrison approach progressive drumming from opposite directions. See the full analysis at [metalforge.io/vs/martin-lopez-vs-gavin-harrison](https://metalforge.io/vs/martin-lopez-vs-gavin-harrison). **Q: What cymbals do Martin Lopez and Gavin Harrison use?** A: Martin Lopez uses Zildjian K Dark Series (14" K Dark Thin Hi-Hats, 18" & 20" K Dark Medium Thin Crashes, 22" K Dark Light Ride, 18" K China). Gavin Harrison uses Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Series (14" Hi-Hats, 16" & 18" Crashes, 21" Special Dry Ride, 18" Trash China). --- *Full comparison: [metalforge.io/vs/martin-lopez-vs-gavin-harrison](https://metalforge.io/vs/martin-lopez-vs-gavin-harrison)* *[Martin Lopez drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/martin-lopez)* *[Gavin Harrison drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/gavin-harrison)* --- *Last updated: 2026-07-01 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*