In 2011, Andy Sneap defined modern metal drum sounds with his now-iconic Metal Machine EZX. Now, a decade and a half later, he returns to redraw the blueprint – in his own studio, on his own gear and with an entirely new, handpicked selection of kits. The result? A collection built from the ground up to deliver the precision, power and unmistakable punch that have kept Sneap at the forefront of metal production since the turn of the century.

This EZX for EZdrummer 3 and Superior Drummer 3 features kits from three distinct decades, each with its own tonal identity – from the massive 1990s six-tom kit, bolstered by four octobans, to the darker, more subdued character of the 2010s set and the razor-sharp attack and piercing tone of the pristine 2020s kit. Add to that a whopping 12 snare drums and a wide variety of cymbals, and you have a vast palette of drum tones ready to tackle anything you throw at it. Whether it’s old-school heavy metal, the intricate arrangements of progressive metal or the relentless brutality of death metal in all its forms, this EZX has you covered. The drums were sampled by Carcass drummer Dan Wilding, who also contributed a foundational collection of drum MIDI spanning a broad spectrum of grooves and fills.

The more than 25 included mix presets were crafted by Andy Sneap and the Toontrack sound design team. In addition to making use of the full toolbox of compressors, EQs, reverbs and effects available behind the scenes in the software, several presets also feature carefully blended layers of one-shot samples – giving you mix-ready sounds with the weight, attack and clarity to cut through any wall of guitars.

Got the original Metal Machine EZX? Then this is a no-brainer – not an upgrade that renders its predecessor obsolete, but a companion that brings the story full circle. New to Andy Sneap’s drum sounds? Start here and work your way back.

Sounds from one of the most vital forces in metal production, at your fingertips. Fire up that machine and get back to the grind.