Watch Gene Hoglan’s Drum Playthrough of Strapping Young Lad’s ‘Skeksis’ Off Upcoming DVD
Gene Hoglan, otherwise known as "The Atomic Clock," is one of metal's most accomplished drummers. His résumé includes Death, Dark Angel, Testament, Dethklok, Fear Factory and, for our purpose here, the chaotic Devin Townsend-led Strapping Young Lad. With a new instructional DVD, The Atomic Clock: Clock Strikes Two, on the way, check out a sneak peak with the playthrough of Strapping Young Lad's frenetic "Skeksis" above.
In the video above, Hoglan runs through the pummeling track, anchoring it by alternating double kicks amidst steady single pedal hits. His forceful drumming style is admired by skinsmen the world over, sitting back with apparent ease as he runs through various rudiments that make up his inimitable playing style.
“Devin [Townsend] and I wrote the tune in late summer, early fall of '04, at this shabby downtown Vancouver rehearsal space that kinda represented where we were both at mentally in our lives," Hoglan began when reflecting on "Skeksis." I remember him mentioning that he'd love to have an 'Almighty PunchDrunk' (one of my all-time favorite bands whom I've also drummed for) feel and vibe to whatever was about to come out of us. To me, that meant to include, 'the PunchDrunk beat,' which is this great, samba-esque, Latin-feel beat (that I am sure has a name, I'd love to know it) which PD proudly stole from the legendary Canadian band The Smalls. I'm sure you've all heard it a time or two."
Continuing, the drummer added, "Dev and I played around the beat the whole song, getting closest to it in the chorus, then really sinking into it in the last minute or so, in the part I refer to as the 'girl fight' part, because that's what it sounds like Dev is saying there. It is such a fun beat to play, and a real satisfying denouement to the song. A moment of crowning glory to a ruling tune. The version on the new DVD is a completely re-envisioned mix, where the vocals and samples are absent, really bringing out the rhythm guitars and basic tracks.”
Hoglan's The Atomic Clock: The Clock Strikes Two will be released Feb. 3 and can be pre-ordered here while Canadian pre-orders can be placed at this location. After watching the play through above, check out a teaser trailer for the instructional DVD below.
Gene Hoglan, The Atomic Clock: The Clock Strikes Two Teaser
See Where Gene Hoglan Ranks Among the Top 66 Hard Rock + Metal Drummers of All Time
Meshuggah's Tomas Haake Debates Gene Hoglan vs. Dave Lombardo as Best Thrash Drummer on the Loudwire Podcast