Mario Duplantier vs Matt Halpern — Drum Gear Comparison | MetalForge
Side-by-side gear: Mario Duplantier (Gojira) vs Matt Halpern (Periphery). Kits, cymbals, pedals, sticks — compare specs and prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Mario Duplantier use?
Mario Duplantier uses Tama Starclassic Bubinga (22"x18" Bass Drums x2, 12"x9" & 13"x10" Toms, 16"x16" Floor Tom) with Zildjian (14" K Sweet Hi-Hats, 14" A Custom Hi-Hats, 18" K Custom Hybrid Crash, 19" A Custom Crash, 20" K Sweet Crash, 21" Z Custom Mega Bell Ride, 18" & 20" Chinas). Mario endorses Tama Starclassic Bubinga drums with Zildjian A Custom and K Sweet cymbals and Tama signature sticks — a warm, powerful setup built for Gojira's atmospheric heaviness. Matt plays Pearl Reference Series drums with Meinl Byzance cymbals and a Pearl Demon Drive double pedal — a precision-tuned setup suited to Periphery's studio-quality live performance standards.
What drum kit does Matt Halpern use?
Matt Halpern uses Pearl Reference Series with Meinl Byzance Series (15" Dark Hi-Hats, 18" & 20" Extra Dry Medium Crashes, 22" Transition Ride, 18" Extra Dry China). Mario endorses Tama Starclassic Bubinga drums with Zildjian A Custom and K Sweet cymbals and Tama signature sticks — a warm, powerful setup built for Gojira's atmospheric heaviness. Matt plays Pearl Reference Series drums with Meinl Byzance cymbals and a Pearl Demon Drive double pedal — a precision-tuned setup suited to Periphery's studio-quality live performance standards.
Which is better, Mario Duplantier or Matt Halpern?
Mario Duplantier and Matt Halpern represent two faces of modern heavy drumming — tribal power vs polyrhythmic precision, eco-metal ferocity vs djent groove. Mario's playing is physical, atmospheric, and earned through endurance. Halpern's is technical, mathematically precise, and groove-driven. Both are among the most technically accomplished drummers in modern metal.