Gear Breakdown: Kevin Castro Learns “Through The Fire And Flames” On The Spot

When Brandon Toews of Drumeo challenged Kevin Castro (Pianote) to learn DragonForce’s “Through The Fire And Flames” on the spot, no one expected what happened next. No sheet music. No prep time. Just raw talent, blistering tempo, and a wall of keys.

Kevin didn’t just survive — he shredded. And his arsenal of synths, workstations, and keytars gave him everything he needed to meet the moment. Let’s take a look at the different keys, synth and bass he used to slay this beast of a track.

🎹 Nord Stage 4

The Nord Stage 4 was Kevin’s primary controller and sonic workhorse. Known for its immaculate sample libraries, seamless splits/layers, and intuitive performance interface, this red beast was at the center of the action.

With lightning-fast program changes and buttery synth leads, Kevin leaned into the Nord for both piano articulation and synth textures, showcasing its versatility under pressure.

🎹 Check out the Nord Stage 4 on Sweetwater (Europe)

🎛 Arturia AstroLab 61

The AstroLab is Arturia’s first performance-focused stage keyboard — and Kevin put it to the test. He tapped into its powerful V Collection engine to summon classic analog tones with modern modulation depth.

From Moog-style saw waves to Prophet-style pad stacks, the AstroLab let him access hundreds of high-quality synth patches with real-time tweakability thanks to its tactile control interface.

🌌 Explore the AstroLab 61 at Sweetwater (Europe)

🔥 Moog Little Phatty Stage II

Few synths growl like a Moog. The Little Phatty Stage II brought analog weight and thick monophonic leads to Kevin’s sound. Whether dialing in portamento-laced runs or aggressive modulation effects, this beast punched through the mix with analog authority.

Its classic ladder filter and fat oscillators made it a perfect match for the shreddy, over-the-top intensity of DragonForce.

🎛 Find one on Sweetwater’s Gear Exchange

🎸 Roland AX-Edge 49-Key Keytar

Because why should guitarists have all the fun?

The Roland AX-Edge added serious stage presence with its shoulder-sling design and onboard synth engine. Kevin used it to fire off blazing leads, expressive pitch bends, and hero-moment glissandos — all while moving freely across the stage like a prog-rock sorcerer.

It’s not just a gimmick: the AX-Edge delivers in tone, control, and playability.

⚡ Rock out with the Roland AX-Edge on Sweetwater (Europe)

The Verdict

Kevin Castro’s keyboard rig was more than just eye candy — it was a carefully curated battlefield layout for one of the hardest songs in power metal history. From classic analog grit to modern digital precision, each piece of gear brought something essential to the table.

Whether you’re building your own live rig or just want to play like a prog warrior, this lineup is a masterclass in sonic range and stage-ready performance.

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 learning the piano (or sharpen your skills), take the next step and click the link to try Pianote, free for 7 Days.

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