A while back, I bitched/moaned/whined/pleaded for an update on Synchestra, and Ryan delivered the goods tenfold in return. A thousand thanks for that, Ryan. It seems I'm not the only one who considers Ocean Machine to be one of the best Dev albums. In my opinion, OM is the greatest album ever recorded, but it seems Synchestra may just alter that perception. 2006 can't arrive fast enough.

Man, this year has been RIFE with badass album releases. Here's my top 10 so far:

1. Opeth - Ghost Reveries (their best album by FAR since MAYH)
2. Strapping Young Lad - Alien (ZEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!!!)
3. Darkane - Layers Of Lies (FINALLY a balanced production quality)
4. Scar Symmetry - Symmetric In Design (these guys are going to be huge)
5. Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
6. Omnium Gatherum - Years In Waste (severely underrated; need better production)
7. Mors Principium Est - The Unborn
8. Mercenary - 11 Dreams (for the title track alone)
9. KMFDM - Hau Ruck (KMFDM brought back that old-school anger. Free Your Hate makes my blood pulsate.)
10. Bloodbath - Nightmares Made Flesh (one word: EATEN)

No need for thanks bro.....

It's cool to update you guys and prepare you all for Synchestra. OM was my all time Fave Dev album but Synchestra has taken the #1 spot now. It truly is amazing and I really hope you all enjoy it when it comes out !

RVP

Hey, Ryan... I've been noticing that your drum set is a little unconventional. Most are five pieces, but you seem to have only a snare, bass, and one tom. Is that right? In fact, in listening to AE, I can't seem to hear where you ever even use the tom as a fill or at all for that matter. It's all about the snare and the bass. Am I wrong? Care to elaborate on your philosophy behind this choice? I'm not really a drummer but I wish I was. I played for about six months until I had to sell the set to go to school. (It was a cherry red Tama Rockstar DX)

Hey, Ryan... I've been noticing that your drum set is a little unconventional. Most are five pieces, but you seem to have only a snare, bass, and one tom. Is that right? In fact, in listening to AE, I can't seem to hear where you ever even use the tom as a fill or at all for that matter. It's all about the snare and the bass. Am I wrong? Care to elaborate on your philosophy behind this choice? I'm not really a drummer but I wish I was. I played for about six months until I had to sell the set to go to school. (It was a cherry red Tama Rockstar DX)

Cool question.....

I love playing a 4 piece kit, it's a classic setup, like John Bonham and alot of the guy's back in the 70's. Just a Kick, Snare, Rack Tom and Floor Tom. I know it's not too "Metal" looking with this kind of setup....but I like that, be different and try to make it sound good !

I used to own bigger kits with way more Toms and stuff but found that I really did'nt use it all. Why have a bunch of shit you're not going to use ? I found I incorporated Cymbals more than drums when I got really creative. My big thing is Cymbals......I got lot's of 'em ! With a four piece kit, I also love the challenge of making it sound bigger than what it is.

As far as AE goes...... I used my Rack Tom and Floor Tom for quite a few fills but nothing too crazy. AE was a Devy "Rock" album. Catchy songs and lots of groove, there was no need to rip it up for fills on the Toms too much. Play for the song, was what that album was all about. To sum it up on the drumming side of things, AE was all about solid, kick-ass groove drumming with the odd power-fill.

With Synchestra I got to be more progressive and there is tons of Tom and Cymbal work throughout, you'll notice that even on your first listen, when it comes out Synchestra is a great example of making a 4 piece kit sound like a 5 or 6 piece kit. I'm really proud of my drumming on this album and everyone else's playing in the band as well. We collectively came together as a band and played some really cool technical stuff on Synchestra.

In the end, I love playing a four piece kit. I love the looks of it and I love the challenge of making it sound bigger than what it is. I love using lots of cymbals. I find them to be more of a creative outlet for myself, than I do with the drums. Don't get me wrong, I can come up with some pretty cool shit with just the drums.....no question, but I prefer the setup I have at the end of the day and how I use it.

Different strokes for different folks, there is no right setup..... just whatever works for yourself !

Hope that answers your question !

RVP

PS... Plus whenever I listen to the DTB's music or any of Dev's solo stuff, I think a 4 piece kit suits the DTB beautifully ! Just my opinion

Sounds really interesting, I'll be listening out for that!

Cool question.....

I love playing a 4 piece kit, it's a classic setup, like John Bonham and alot of the guy's back in the 70's. Just a Kick, Snare, Rack Tom and Floor Tom. I know it's not too "Metal" looking with this kind of setup....but I like that, be different and try to make it sound good !

I used to own bigger kits with way more Toms and stuff but found that I really did'nt use it all. Why have a bunch of shit you're not going to use ? I found I incorporated Cymbals more than drums when I got really creative. My big thing is Cymbals......I got lot's of 'em ! With a four piece kit, I also love the challenge of making it sound bigger than what it is.

I appreciate the in-depth answer, Ryan. Thanks!

You know, I got a kinda jazz feel from your set when I saw it, because it was bereft of Toms. A lot of jazz guys just have a three piece (snare, bass, floor tom) and when I saw your set that's what I thought of. 'Course, jazz guys don't have all of those cymbals. You're right, a lot of metal sets have tons of toms and all kinds of other percussive thangs. Which is cool. I see what you mean about the challenge of making it sound big.

Now I'm going to have to listen to AE again more closely. I thought all of the fills were on the snare. I don't remember any toms. Well, I guess Random Analysis has tom action, right? But, am I wrong in hearing an awful lot of snare on most other songs? Especially Depth Charge and Storm? Are there some where you left out the tom altogether?

drums go bang bang. oooo.

drums go bang bang. oooo.

Why do you always have to show off with your unbeatable knowledge? Can't you put things just a little bit more simple, so that even those of us who haven't played drums for decades can understand what you mean?

Ug?

Ug?

And that, my friends, is how we pad our post count.

Not to mention run off-topic.

[EphelDuath666]

let's all give Ryan a group hug!!!












(you guys hold him, I RT him!!)

let's all give Ryan a group hug!!!












(you guys hold him, I RT him!!)

Only Lars would say that !!!!! I'm scared of ever meeting Lars due to his RT obsession ! LOL !

[EphelDuath666]

now don't play the shy guy...you want it, you just don't know it yet!!!!!!

RT??? eh? i'm guessing some form of violation