Gavin Harrison vs Hellhammer — Drum Gear Comparison | MetalForge
Side-by-side gear: Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree / King Crimson) vs Hellhammer (Mayhem). Kits, cymbals, pedals, sticks — compare specs and prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Gavin Harrison use?
Gavin Harrison uses Sonor SQ2 Series with Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Series (14" Hi-Hats, 16" & 18" Crashes, 21" Special Dry Ride, 18" Trash China). Gavin Harrison plays a Sonor SQ2 kit with thin maple shells, his own Sonor Gavin Harrison Signature 14x5.25" brass snare, and Zildjian K Custom Special Dry cymbals developed in direct collaboration with him, paired with his Vic Firth Gavin Harrison Signature stick — a setup built for clarity and articulation. Hellhammer plays a Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech kit with a Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech snare and Paiste RUDE Series cymbals, driven by an Axis Double Pedal and Vic Firth American Classic 5B sticks — a near-total sonic opposite of Harrison's dry, restrained rig, built instead for raw cutting power at extreme tempos.
What drum kit does Hellhammer use?
Hellhammer uses Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech with Paiste (14" RUDE Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" RUDE Crashes, 20" RUDE Ride, 18" RUDE China). Gavin Harrison plays a Sonor SQ2 kit with thin maple shells, his own Sonor Gavin Harrison Signature 14x5.25" brass snare, and Zildjian K Custom Special Dry cymbals developed in direct collaboration with him, paired with his Vic Firth Gavin Harrison Signature stick — a setup built for clarity and articulation. Hellhammer plays a Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech kit with a Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech snare and Paiste RUDE Series cymbals, driven by an Axis Double Pedal and Vic Firth American Classic 5B sticks — a near-total sonic opposite of Harrison's dry, restrained rig, built instead for raw cutting power at extreme tempos.
Which is better, Gavin Harrison or Hellhammer?
Gavin Harrison and Hellhammer represent technical mastery from opposite ends of the volume dial. Harrison's dry, meticulous polyrhythms redefined progressive rock through Porcupine Tree and King Crimson, prioritizing control and space over intensity. Hellhammer's icy, relentless blast beats turned raw speed itself into black metal's defining texture on "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas." Both are widely cited by fellow drummers as among the most demanding players in their respective worlds — the debate is composed, mathematical restraint versus cold, machine-like extremity.