Richard Christy vs Derek Roddy — Drum Gear Comparison | MetalForge
Side-by-side gear: Richard Christy (Death / Iced Earth) vs Derek Roddy (Hate Eternal / Nile). Kits, cymbals, pedals, sticks — compare specs and prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Richard Christy use?
Richard Christy uses Pearl Custom Z with Sabian AAX & HHX Series (14" AAX Stage Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" AAX X-Plosion Crashes, 21" HHX Raw Bell Dry Ride, 18" AAX Chinese). Richard plays a Tama Starclassic Maple kit with a matching 14x6.5" Tama Starclassic maple snare, Sabian AAX & HHX cymbals, and a Tama Iron Cobra 900 double pedal. Derek favors a heavier Tama Starclassic Bubinga kit with a punchier 14x6.5" Tama SLP Black Brass snare, Meinl Byzance & Mb20 cymbals, and a Tama Speed Cobra 910 double pedal tuned for his signature footwork.
What drum kit does Derek Roddy use?
Derek Roddy uses Tama Starclassic Bubinga with Meinl Byzance & Mb20 Series (14" Byzance Heavy Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" Mb20 Heavy Crashes, 21" Mb20 Heavy Ride, 18" Byzance China). Richard plays a Tama Starclassic Maple kit with a matching 14x6.5" Tama Starclassic maple snare, Sabian AAX & HHX cymbals, and a Tama Iron Cobra 900 double pedal. Derek favors a heavier Tama Starclassic Bubinga kit with a punchier 14x6.5" Tama SLP Black Brass snare, Meinl Byzance & Mb20 cymbals, and a Tama Speed Cobra 910 double pedal tuned for his signature footwork.
Which is better, Richard Christy or Derek Roddy?
Richard Christy brought progressive nuance and musicality to death metal's most influential band during its final chapter. Derek Roddy pushed raw extremity and technical endurance to their outer limits across Hate Eternal, Nile, and Malevolent Creation. Both remain foundational figures in technical death metal, respected equally as performers and educators who shaped how the genre's next generation approaches speed.