“The Best Drum Sound in Live Rock”: METALLICA Drum Tech Jimmy Clark Reveals the Secrets Behind the Band’s Massive Concert Tone

Sweetwater has released a brand-new video featuring Metallica drum technician Jimmy Clark, who offers an in-depth look at his work during the band’s massive M72 World Tour. In the interview, Clark discusses managing five separate drum kits, tuning techniques, and the gear responsible for delivering the legendary live drum sound that has become synonymous with Metallica performances.

Over the course of their career, Metallica have established themselves as pioneers of innovative live productions. The band has performed for millions of fans across all seven continents, playing every type of venue imaginable — from intimate clubs and theaters to enormous stadiums and arenas.

Their current M72 World Tour, which launched in spring 2023, has already drawn more than four million fans worldwide. The tour has traveled through Europe, North America, the Pacific Rim, and the Middle East, earning widespread praise from critics and audiences alike. Many are calling it one of the finest live productions in the band’s more than 40-year history.

The Interview

SK: Jimmy, can you tell us about your journey into becoming a drum tech and how you eventually got the opportunity to work with Lars Ulrich from Metallica?

JC: I joined the Metallica camp in 2014. At first, I worked as a carpenter and climber before becoming the band’s drum tech in 2015.

SK: Working with Lars Ulrich must have given you some unforgettable experiences. What moments stand out the most?

JC: I’ve always been a fan of Metallica, so even after nine years with the band, hearing them perform night after night is still special to me. Watching Lars play continues to inspire me, even at 65 years old. And being there during the creation of Hardwired and 72 Seasons was absolutely incredible.

SK: Precision is obviously essential in your role. How do you make sure Lars’ kit is set up exactly the same for every show?

JC: I met a guy from the Netherlands named Joost Koopmans, whose company JK Drum Systems makes a fantastic product called Drum Hooves. These attach to our drum riser for the kick drums and cymbal stands, allowing me to position the entire kit identically every single night.

SK: Metallica shows are known for their power and intensity. How do you maintain consistency and reliability throughout a major world tour?

JC: We recently launched the 72 Seasons tour. A few days before every show, I completely strip the kit down to the bare shells. Everything gets cleaned, waxed, oiled, fitted with new drumheads, rebuilt, and carefully tuned. The process takes roughly 12 hours. And yes, I’m handling four drum kits at the same time.

SK: We noticed you use SlapKlatz drum dampeners. How did you discover them, and why did they become part of Lars’ setup?

JC: I found SlapKlatz in 2016 at a music store in Copenhagen during the beginning of the Hardwired tour. I immediately liked them because even a single dampener gives Lars’ snare a much fatter sound by removing unwanted overtones. Our front-of-house engineer is also a huge fan of the sound we get using them.

SK: There are plenty of dampening products on the market. What makes SlapKlatz different in your opinion?

JC: The plastic strip between each dampener is a total game changer. Seriously, have you ever tried separating some of the other ones? It’s a nightmare.

SK: Where exactly do you use SlapKlatz on Lars’ drum kit?

JC: Mostly on the snare drum, but we also use them on the toms during TV appearances or live recordings when our producer is involved in shaping the final mix.

SK: Can you explain the difference between preparing drums for studio sessions versus live performances?

JC: They’re completely different worlds. In the studio, we use much more dampening to get tighter control over the sound. That’s part of how Metallica producer Greg Fidelman achieves the band’s signature drum tone.

SK: You work closely with Lars and the rest of the band. How do you maintain good communication on tour?

JC: Speak when spoken to and always stay professional.

SK: Touring can be intense. Have you ever faced a particularly difficult situation on the road?

JC: Nothing really becomes a problem if you know your job well and react quickly — whether it’s a broken drumhead or a damaged pedal. It’s also important to understand your artist and recognize their facial expressions. Lars is the king of expressions. After all these years working together, I can instantly tell whether there’s actually a problem or not.

SK: What advice would you give to aspiring drum techs hoping to work with artists like Lars Ulrich or other major bands?

JC: I’ll give the same advice legendary photographer Ross Halfin gives to young photographers: find an up-and-coming local band and start working with them. You never know who might become the next Metallica.

SK: Outside of your work with Metallica, do you have any personal projects related to drumming?

JC: I recently finished building a fully soundproof drum room at my house so I can continue practicing — yes, I still practice regularly — and I also do home recordings and demo sessions for people who need them.

SK: What are some common misconceptions people have about being a drum tech?

JC: The old days of nonstop partying, sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll are gone. These days it’s more about going to the gym, eating properly, and getting enough sleep whenever possible. I work long hours, but honestly, the rest of the Metallica crew works even harder. That’s why they’re the best in the business.

SK: How do you see drum technology evolving in the future, and where do products like SlapKlatz fit into that future?

JC: I think SlapKlatz are incredibly useful for drummers trying to achieve exactly the sound they want — whether that’s a dry tone or something more open and lively without excessive overtones.

SK: Finally, do you have a message for drummers and drum techs inspired by Metallica or hoping to build a career in the music industry?

JC: Be passionate about what you do. If you’re lucky enough to work with a major artist like Lars Ulrich, remember that these musicians depend on you to help them sound their best. No matter the situation, always do everything you can to make your artist look and sound incredible. And always show up with a positive attitude. Whenever people ask me how my day is going, I always answer: “Best day ever!” And when they ask why, I tell them: “Do you really want to hear me complain?”

The next major chapter for Metallica will arrive in 2027 with their highly anticipated residency at the groundbreaking Sphere venue. According to the band, this won’t simply be another concert series — it will be a completely immersive experience unlike anything fans have seen before.

The Sphere residency promises a mix of classic live staples and unexpected deep cuts from throughout the Metallica catalog. Thanks to the venue’s cutting-edge immersive technology, audiences will experience the band’s sound and performance in entirely new dimensions.

Whether fans previously saw Metallica from the upper levels of a stadium, inside a small theater, or standing in the famous Snake Pit surrounding the M72 360-degree stage, Sphere aims to deliver an experience on a completely different level.

The venue features the world’s highest-resolution LED display, wrapping above and around the audience to create a visually overwhelming environment. Complementing the visuals is Sphere Immersive Sound, a revolutionary audio system designed to deliver crystal-clear sound with incredible precision to every seat in the building. Multi-sensory 4D technology further enhances the experience.

Together, these technologies promise to create a fully unique Metallica experience not only for fans, but also for band members James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo themselves.

Metallica co-founder and drummer Lars Ulrich shared his excitement about the project:

“About 12 seconds into U2’s opening night at Sphere back in 2023, I immediately thought, ‘We have to do this. This is completely uncharted territory.’ This residency gives us another opportunity to reinvent the way we connect with our fans in a live setting. We’re incredibly excited to share this with the world in six months, and we’re absolutely fired up to take things to the next level.”

The upcoming Metallica Life Burns Faster at Sphere residency is being produced by Live Nation and presented by inKind.

The inKind platform offers restaurant rewards and cashback opportunities through its app at thousands of highly rated restaurants across the United States. The company also provides innovative financing solutions that help participating restaurants achieve greater sustainability and long-term success.

Additionally, an archival clip from The Howard Stern Show has resurfaced, featuring Lars Ulrich discussing in 2025 why he was determined to bring Metallica to the Las Vegas Sphere venue.

Sphere is widely regarded as one of the most advanced entertainment venues ever created, redefining the future of immersive live experiences. Using state-of-the-art sensory technologies, Sphere allows artists, filmmakers, and creators to build entirely new forms of storytelling and audience interaction.

The venue hosts original Sphere Experiences developed by leading Hollywood creatives, major concert residencies from globally recognized artists, and premium brand events.

The first Sphere location is currently operating in Las Vegas, while a second venue is already planned for Abu Dhabi.