Bill Ward vs Eloy Casagrande — Drum Gear Comparison | MetalForge
Side-by-side gear: Bill Ward (Black Sabbath) vs Eloy Casagrande (Slipknot). Kits, cymbals, pedals, sticks — compare specs and prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Bill Ward use?
Bill Ward uses Ludwig Classic Maple with Paiste 2002 & Giant Beat Series (15" Giant Beat Hi-Hats, 18" & 20" 2002 Crashes, 24" 2002 Ride, 18" 2002 China). Bill Ward played a Ludwig Classic Maple kit with a Ludwig Supraphonic 14x6.5" LM402 snare and Zildjian Avedis Series cymbals (14" Hi-Hats, 16" & 18" Crashes, 20" Ride, 18" China), driven by a single Ludwig Speed King pedal — no double bass. Eloy Casagrande plays a Tama Starclassic Bubinga kit with a Tama Bell Brass 14x5.5" snare and Paiste cymbals (15" Masters Dark Hi-Hats, 20" Masters Dark Ride, 20" & 20" 602 Crashes, 20" 2002 Novo China), powered by a Tama Iron Cobra double pedal and Promark Eloy Casagrande Signature sticks.
What drum kit does Eloy Casagrande use?
Eloy Casagrande uses Tama Starclassic Bubinga (22"x16" & 24"x14" Bass Drums, 10", 12", 13" Toms, 16" & 18" Floor Toms) with Paiste (15" Masters Dark Hi-Hats, 20" Masters Dark Ride, 20" & 20" 602 Crashes, 10" Rude Splash, 20" Masters Dark Crash, 20" 2002 Heavy Ride, 20" 2002 Novo China, 10" 2002 Mega Bell, Symphonic Gong). Bill Ward played a Ludwig Classic Maple kit with a Ludwig Supraphonic 14x6.5" LM402 snare and Zildjian Avedis Series cymbals (14" Hi-Hats, 16" & 18" Crashes, 20" Ride, 18" China), driven by a single Ludwig Speed King pedal — no double bass. Eloy Casagrande plays a Tama Starclassic Bubinga kit with a Tama Bell Brass 14x5.5" snare and Paiste cymbals (15" Masters Dark Hi-Hats, 20" Masters Dark Ride, 20" & 20" 602 Crashes, 20" 2002 Novo China), powered by a Tama Iron Cobra double pedal and Promark Eloy Casagrande Signature sticks.
Which is better, Bill Ward or Eloy Casagrande?
Bill Ward and Eloy Casagrande stand at opposite ends of heavy metal drumming's generational arc. Ward invented the genre's rhythmic language in real time, bringing jazz swing and groove-first feel to Black Sabbath's foundational riffs more than five decades ago. Casagrande represents where that language has evolved — explosive technical speed and stamina honed across Sepultura and now Slipknot, validated by Modern Drummer's top ranking in 2024. The comparison is less a contest than a lineage: Ward's founding groove made Casagrande's modern power possible.