What happens when a world-famous DJ and producer sits behind the kit to tackle one of metal’s most legendary tracks?
Zedd, known for crafting electronic anthems that fill arenas, stepped into unfamiliar territory at Drumeo Studios to hear and play Pantera’s iconic “Cowboys From Hell” for the very first time.
Armed with explosive fills and bone-crushing grooves, Vinnie Paul’s performance on this track is no walk in the park. But Zedd, who’s no stranger to rhythm and energy, took on the challenge with a surprising amount of grit and finesse.
Here’s the gear breakdown of the kit, snare and cymbals that powered his Pantera experience.
To channel the spirit of Vinnie Paul, we built a thunderous setup using a Yamaha Recording Custom (Europe) kit in a slick Piano Black finish. Known for its balanced tone and studio-grade clarity, the Recording Custom series brought out the best in both Zedd’s electronic precision and Pantera’s aggressive metal edge.
The punchy low-end of the kick, paired with the controlled resonance of the toms, gave Zedd a rock-solid foundation to explore Vinnie’s signature sound.
Zedd kept things snappy and articulate with a 14” x 5.5” Yamaha RC Aluminum Snare Drum (Europe). This aluminum shell offered a crisp, dry attack with a bright snap, perfect for cutting through the heavy guitar riffs without overpowering the mix. Whether he was cracking backbeats or digging into syncopated accents, this snare delivered the clarity needed to ride the storm of Pantera’s grooves.
To handle the wide dynamic spectrum of “Cowboys From Hell,” Zedd chose a suite of Sabian cymbals, each offering its own flavor of attack, wash, and decay. From shimmering splashes to explosive crashes, this setup let Zedd build tension and release with precision.
The Stratus Crashes offered smooth, musical wash with plenty of punch, while the AA Holy China and stacked splashes brought in the grit and chaos Pantera is known for. The Anthology Hats provided a crisp and defined “chick” sound, perfect for Zedd’s tight, electronic-inspired timing.
Zedd may be best known for dominating the EDM world, but this video proves he can throw down with the best of them, especially when you give him a killer kit and one of metal’s most iconic songs.
His sense of timing, control, and dynamic shaping translated seamlessly from the booth to the drum throne, making for one of the most surprising and satisfying “first time” performances we’ve had in the studio.
Looking to unleash your inner metalhead? Start by building a versatile kit like this one, and if you’re working on locking down aggressive footwork or high-speed tom runs, consider pairing your practice sessions with the Drumeo QuietPad, a quiet, low-noise practice tool that helps you build speed without waking your neighbors.
Crank it up. Slam those drums. And ride with Cowboys From Hell.
You can find everything mentioned in this Gear Breakdown at Sweetwater or Thomann 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 Drumeo, free for 7 Days.
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Drumeo Team - We're professional, award-winning drummers and drum teachers, coaches, recording artists, and content specialists who are passionate about drums and helping drummers around the world. This post was written and/or edited by Brandon Toews, Jared Falk, Dave Atkinson, or another pro on our team (which has a combined 1000+ years of drumming experience). Are you looking for inspiration, education, and support to take your playing to the next level? Join the Drumeo community today!
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