# Tomas Haake vs Mike Portnoy — Drum Kit Comparison > Side-by-side gear comparison between Tomas Haake (Meshuggah) and Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater / Liquid Tension Experiment / The Winery Dogs). **Category:** Progressive Metal · **URL:** https://metalforge.io/vs/tomas-haake-vs-mike-portnoy Meshuggah's Tomas Haake vs Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy. Djent polymetric groove compared to classic progressive-metal technical songwriting. Gear, technique, and influence compared. --- ## Tomas Haake Setup - **Drums:** Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech (24"x18" Bass, 10"x8", 12"x9", 13"x10", 16"x14", 18"x16" Toms) - **Cymbals:** Sabian HHX & AAX Series (14" HHX Compression Hi-Hats, 15" Artisan Hi-Hats, 19" & 20" & 21" HHX Stage Crashes, 22" Legacy Ride, 19" AAXtreme China) - **Snare:** Sonor Tomas Haake Signature 14x6.5" & Artist Series Bronze - **Pedals/Hardware:** Tama Speed Cobra Single Pedals (x2), Porter & Davies BC2 Throne - **Sticks:** Wincent Tomas Haake Signature ## Mike Portnoy Setup - **Drums:** Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch - **Cymbals:** Sabian HHX Series (14" Evolution Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" Evolution Crashes, 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride, 10" & 12" Evolution Splashes, 19" O-Zone Crash) - **Snare:** Tama Mike Portnoy Signature Melody Master 14x5.5" - **Pedals/Hardware:** Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide Double Pedal, Tama 1st Chair Ergo-Rider Throne - **Sticks:** Promark Mike Portnoy Signature TX420N ## Playing Style Tomas Haake, born in 1971, is the drummer and primary lyricist for Swedish extreme metal band Meshuggah, developing a polyrhythmic style built on complex time signatures that has been hugely influential in the development of djent and modern progressive metal. Mike Portnoy co-founded Dream Theater in 1985 and spent 25 years as the band's drummer and lyricist, helping define an earlier era of progressive metal with complex arrangements, virtuosic technique, and theatrical live performances. ## Technique Haake is known for metronomic precision and an innovative polymetric approach, layering odd groupings over Meshuggah's down-tuned, machine-like riffs to create the polyrhythmic grooves that became the template for djent. Portnoy combines jazz fusion influences with heavy metal power, favoring intricate double bass patterns, rapid-fire transitions, and creative use of electronics within Dream Theater's sprawling compositions. ## Key Differences Haake plays a Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech kit with a Sonor Tomas Haake Signature 14x6.5" snare and Sabian HHX & AAX Series cymbals, driven by dual Tama Speed Cobra single pedals. Portnoy plays a Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch kit with a Tama Mike Portnoy Signature Melody Master 14x5.5" snare and Sabian HHX Series cymbals, powered by a Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide double pedal. Haake is known for metronomic precision and an innovative polymetric approach, layering odd groupings over Meshuggah's down-tuned, machine-like riffs to create the polyrhythmic grooves that became the template for djent. Portnoy combines jazz fusion influences with heavy metal power, favoring intricate double bass patterns, rapid-fire transitions, and creative use of electronics within Dream Theater's sprawling compositions. ## Influence & Legacy Haake's polyrhythmic drumming style has been foundational to djent and modern progressive metal, influencing a generation of bands built around Meshuggah's polymetric template. Portnoy has won over 30 Drummer of the Year awards from Modern Drummer magazine and helped define progressive metal's earlier era with Dream Theater before going on to numerous other influential projects. ## Verdict Tomas Haake and Mike Portnoy represent two generations and philosophies of progressive metal drumming. Haake's polymetric, groove-driven precision with Meshuggah built the rhythmic foundation of djent, prioritizing hypnotic repetition and mathematical subdivision over overt technical display. Portnoy's virtuosic, theatrical technique with Dream Theater defined an earlier era of progressive metal built on compositional complexity and instrumental showmanship. Both are foundational figures whose influence shaped how "progressive" is defined in modern metal drumming. ## FAQ **Q: What are the main differences between Tomas Haake's and Mike Portnoy's drum kits?** A: Tomas Haake plays Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech (24"x18" Bass, 10"x8", 12"x9", 13"x10", 16"x14", 18"x16" Toms) with Sabian cymbals, while Mike Portnoy uses Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch with Sabian cymbals. Haake plays a Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech kit with a Sonor Tomas Haake Signature 14x6.5" snare and Sabian HHX & AAX Series cymbals, driven by dual Tama Speed Cobra single pedals. Portnoy plays a Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch kit with a Tama Mike Portnoy Signature Melody Master 14x5.5" snare and Sabian HHX Series cymbals, powered by a Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide double pedal. **Q: What drums does Tomas Haake play vs Mike Portnoy?** A: Tomas Haake plays Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech (24"x18" Bass, 10"x8", 12"x9", 13"x10", 16"x14", 18"x16" Toms). Mike Portnoy plays Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch. **Q: Who is the better progressive metal drummer, Tomas Haake or Mike Portnoy?** A: Both are legends in their own right. Tomas Haake and Mike Portnoy represent two generations and philosophies of progressive metal drumming. See the full analysis at [metalforge.io/vs/tomas-haake-vs-mike-portnoy](https://metalforge.io/vs/tomas-haake-vs-mike-portnoy). **Q: What cymbals do Tomas Haake and Mike Portnoy use?** A: Tomas Haake uses Sabian HHX & AAX Series (14" HHX Compression Hi-Hats, 15" Artisan Hi-Hats, 19" & 20" & 21" HHX Stage Crashes, 22" Legacy Ride, 19" AAXtreme China). Mike Portnoy uses Sabian HHX Series (14" Evolution Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" Evolution Crashes, 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride, 10" & 12" Evolution Splashes, 19" O-Zone Crash). --- *Full comparison: [metalforge.io/vs/tomas-haake-vs-mike-portnoy](https://metalforge.io/vs/tomas-haake-vs-mike-portnoy)* *[Tomas Haake drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/tomas-haake)* *[Mike Portnoy drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/mike-portnoy)* --- *Last updated: 2026-07-07 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*