Ryan Van Poederooyen's Drum Setup on Devin Townsend Project's 'Deconstruction' (2011) | MetalForge
Ryan Van Poederooyen recorded Deconstruction (2011) on a Pearl Reference Series kit with a Pearl Free-Floating / Sensitone Snare snare.
The drum setup Ryan Van Poederooyen used to record Devin Townsend Project's 'Deconstruction' — the double-kick Pearl Reference rig and Sabian AAX/HHX cymbals...
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit did Ryan Van Poederooyen use on 'Deconstruction'?
Ryan Van Poederooyen recorded 'Deconstruction' (2011) on a true double bass drum configuration — two 22" x 18" Pearl Reference kick drums, each driven by its own Pearl Demon Drive pedal, alongside 10" and 12" rack toms and 16" and 18" floor toms. This is a rare instance in his discography of a genuine double-kick setup rather than his usual single-kick-plus-double-pedal configuration, chosen specifically for the album's crushing double-bass demands. For his general setup, see the [Ryan Van Poederooyen drum setup breakdown](/articles/ryan-van-poederooyen-drum-setup).
Why is 'Deconstruction' considered one of Ryan Van Poederooyen's most demanding performances?
'Deconstruction' is widely cited among progressive metal drummers as one of the most demanding drum performances in the genre, combining a true double-kick configuration, extended compositions like the 16-minute 'The Mighty Masturbator,' and a dense arrangement layered with guest vocalists and a full Prague Philharmonic Orchestra session. Metal Hammer gave the album 9/10, calling it Devin Townsend's most 'deranged, complex and sonically overwhelming' work — a description that applies equally to the drumming required to hold it together.
Did Ryan Van Poederooyen play drums alone on 'Deconstruction'?
No — 'Deconstruction' carries a dual drums credit shared with Dirk Verbeuren, who would later become Megadeth's drummer. This makes the album a rare crossover point between the two drummers, each contributing their own technical sensibility to one of Devin Townsend's most maximalist records.
What cymbals did Ryan Van Poederooyen play on 'Deconstruction'?
Van Poederooyen played a Sabian AAX/HHX combination on 'Deconstruction': 14" AAX hi-hats, a 16" AAX crash, an 18" HHX crash, a 20" HHX ride, and an 18" AAX china. The bright AAX line handled projection through the album's heaviest sections, while the darker HHX series served its progressive and orchestral passages, including the sections recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
How does 'Deconstruction' compare to Devin Townsend's ambient album 'Ghost'?
'Deconstruction' and 'Ghost' were released on the same day — June 20, 2011 — as deliberately opposite statements: one a maximalist, double-kick-driven extreme metal record, the other a near-acoustic, ambient companion piece. Ryan Van Poederooyen recorded both on the same fundamental Pearl Reference kit, and the ability to deliver full-intensity double bass on one album and near-silent restraint on the other, on the same release day, is frequently cited as the clearest demonstration of his versatility as a drummer.