{"id":53135,"date":"2025-09-26T04:45:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T11:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/?p=53135"},"modified":"2025-09-26T13:57:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T20:57:18","slug":"gear-breakdown-aric-hears-nightwish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/gear-breakdown-aric-hears-nightwish\/","title":{"rendered":"Aric Improta Hears Nightwish For The First Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Drumeo YouTube Gear Breakdown<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>What happens when one of the most energetic drummers in the world takes on symphonic metal for the first time? In this special episode of <em>Hear A Song For The First Time<\/em>, <strong>Aric Improta<\/strong> (Fever 333, Night Verses) sits behind the kit to tackle Nightwish\u2019s \u201cBye Bye Beautiful.\u201d Known for his jaw-dropping showmanship and explosive creativity, Aric approaches the song with intensity, fusing the band\u2019s epic orchestrations with his own fearless style. The gear he chose was perfectly suited for delivering both power and subtlety in equal measure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Aric Improta Hears Nightwish For The First Time\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7gL_UeQfGlA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In this gear breakdown, we&#8217;ll examine the <a href=\"#kit\">kit<\/a>, <a href=\"#snare\">snare<\/a>, <a href=\"#heads\">heads<\/a>, and <a href=\"#cymbals\">cymbals<\/a> that Aric used to create this Drumeo YouTube banger!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Here\u2019s the gear Aric used for this session:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"kit\">\ud83e\udd41 Kit<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/raPzNB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tama Starclassic Bubinga (Red Sparkle Burst)<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.co.uk\/tama_starclassic_maple_standard_mbb.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=857\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Europe<\/a>)\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>12&#215;9 Rack Tom<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>14&#215;12 Floor Tom<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>16&#215;14 Floor Tom<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>22&#215;18 Bass Drum<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Starclassic Bubinga is known for its deep, punchy low end and warm projection, making it ideal for the orchestral weight of Nightwish\u2019s sound. The 22&#215;18 bass drum provided a thunderous foundation that locked in with the band\u2019s heavy guitar riffs, while the toms gave Aric the resonance and attack needed for big, sweeping fills. In a song with such dramatic dynamics, this kit gave him the power to cut through but also the sensitivity to pull back when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"snare\">\ud83d\udca5 Snare<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/GKN0dB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tama SLP Black Brass Snare Drum<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.co.uk\/ludwig_lw5514c_14_x55_black_magic.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=857\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Europe<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The brass shell snare gave Aric a bright, cracking attack with plenty of body underneath. In \u201cBye Bye Beautiful,\u201d the snare drives much of the groove, and this drum delivered a cutting pop that stood out against the layered orchestration. Its responsiveness also allowed Aric to weave in ghost notes and subtleties that added texture to the performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"heads\">\ud83e\udd41 Heads<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/N9qQ7b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Remo Emperor Heads<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.co.uk\/search.html?sw=remo+Heads+Aric&amp;smcs=a61709_4701?offid=1&amp;affid=857\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Europe<\/a>) (Art Beat series featuring Aric\u2019s artwork)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Remo Emperors are two-ply heads known for their durability and warm tone. On this kit, they gave Aric a fat, controlled sound that kept the toms focused without losing their resonance. Perfect for heavy hitting, these heads helped balance attack and sustain, keeping his fills clear even in the busiest sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cymbals\">\ud83d\udece\ufe0f Meinl Cymbals<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/aOXxQQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">14\u201d Byzance Medium Hi-Hats<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.co.uk\/meinl_b14mh_medium_hihat_byzance.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=857\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Europe<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/Vx5b3k\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">20&#8243; Classics Custom Dark Crash<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.co.uk\/meinl_20_classics_custom_dark_crash.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=857\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Europe<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/BnMzo4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">19&#8243; Classics Custom Dark Crash<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.co.uk\/meinl_19_classics_custom_dark_crash.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=857\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Europe<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/QjQNgz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">20\u201d Soundcaster Fusion Ride<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.co.uk\/meinl_20_byzance_sand_ride.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=857\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Europe<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/PODrZq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">18\u201d Byzance Traditional China<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.co.uk\/meinl_18_byzance_china_brilliant.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=857\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Europe<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/kOqaXx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">10\u201d Byzance Traditional Splash<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.co.uk\/meinl_b10s_splash.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=857\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Europe<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/XmeLAy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">16\u201d Classics Custom Dark Trash Stack &#8220;Bullet Stack&#8221;<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.co.uk\/meinl_16_class_cust_dark_tr_st.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=857\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Europe<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Aric\u2019s cymbal choices added tons of color and contrast to the performance. The Byzance hi-hats provided a crisp, articulate sound that carried the groove, while the Dark Classics Custom crashes cut through the wall of guitars with rich, dark sustain. The Soundcaster Fusion ride gave him both ping and wash for transitions, and the Byzance china brought explosive accents that matched the band\u2019s dramatic stabs. He even added splashes and a trash stack for extra textures, giving his performance the chaotic flair he\u2019s known for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>From massive orchestral hits to syncopated groove transitions, Aric embraced the challenge with his signature mix of technical precision and fearless improvisation. Watching him bring his visual energy and controlled chaos to a Nightwish classic proves just how adaptable his drumming really is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If you\u2019re looking to practice complex kick and cymbal patterns like Aric, consider using the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Drumeo-10043-drumeo-QuietKick\/dp\/B0CPTDQBK2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Drumeo QuietKick<\/a>. It\u2019s perfect for getting in extra reps without shaking the house.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/25131637\/2024-02-28-Drumeo-Aric-Improta-KIT-105-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53138\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/25131637\/2024-02-28-Drumeo-Aric-Improta-KIT-105-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/25131637\/2024-02-28-Drumeo-Aric-Improta-KIT-105-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/25131637\/2024-02-28-Drumeo-Aric-Improta-KIT-105-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/25131637\/2024-02-28-Drumeo-Aric-Improta-KIT-105-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/25131637\/2024-02-28-Drumeo-Aric-Improta-KIT-105-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find everything mentioned in this Gear Breakdown at <a href=\"https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/raPzNG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sweetwater<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomannmusic.com\/?offid=1&amp;affid=857\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Thomann<\/a> if you are overseas. If this video lit a spark to start drumming (or sharpen your chops), take the next step and click the link to try <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/trial?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=&amp;utm_term=drumeo&amp;utm_campaign=aricnight\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Drumeo, free for 7 Days.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>*This article contains affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission from the product seller if you make a purchase. For more info, check out our<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/privacy#affiliate-disclosure\"><em> privacy page.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Drumeo YouTube Gear Breakdown What happens when one of the most energetic drummers in the world takes on symphonic metal for the first time? In this special episode of Hear A Song For The First Time, Aric Improta (Fever 333, Night Verses) sits behind the kit to tackle Nightwish\u2019s \u201cBye Bye Beautiful.\u201d Known for his [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":174,"featured_media":53137,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4019,4020],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-53135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drummers","category-gear"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53135","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/174"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53135"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53135\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53141,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53135\/revisions\/53141"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53135"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53135"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53135"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}