Testament "Titans of Creation" Drum Setup (Gene Hoglan, 2020) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drums did Gene Hoglan use on Titans of Creation?

Gene Hoglan recorded Titans of Creation (2020) using a Pearl Reference Pure kit — Pearl's pure maple professional flagship, a step above the maple/birch hybrid Reference Series he used on Brotherhood of the Snake (2016). His configuration retained his signature twin 22" x 18" bass drums for independent double-kick, 10" and 12" rack toms, and 14" and 16" floor toms. His snare was a Pearl Reference Pure Free-Floating model at 14" x 6.5". Cymbals were Zildjian A Custom series, and he switched from DW 9000s to Pearl Eliminator single pedals (one per bass drum) for the 2020 sessions.

How does Titans of Creation differ from Brotherhood of the Snake gear-wise?

Three key gear changes distinguish Titans of Creation (2020) from Brotherhood of the Snake (2016). First, Hoglan upgraded from Pearl Reference Series (16-ply maple/birch hybrid) to Pearl Reference Pure (6-ply pure maple) — a warmer, more resonant shell construction that gave the 2020 album a more open, spacious drum character. Second, his snare changed from Pearl Reference Brass to Pearl Reference Pure Free-Floating, shifting from the brass shell's midrange cut to maple's warmer resonance. Third, his bass drum pedals changed from DW 9000 singles to Pearl Eliminator singles, aligning his full setup under the Pearl endorsement. Zildjian A Custom cymbals remained consistent across both albums.

Was Titans of Creation recorded during COVID lockdown?

Yes — Testament recorded Titans of Creation at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California during the COVID-19 pandemic, and released it on April 3, 2020, just weeks into the global lockdown. Producer Juan Urteaga, who had also produced Brotherhood of the Snake (2016), returned for the sessions. The unusual recording conditions — no touring pressure, extended session time, and the focused isolation of lockdown — contributed to what many critics regard as one of the most refined albums in Testament's catalog. Gene Hoglan's drum performances reflect the extra compositional care the band invested in the sessions.

What pedals did Gene Hoglan use on Titans of Creation?

Gene Hoglan used Pearl Eliminator single pedals on Titans of Creation (2020) — one pedal per bass drum, maintaining his independent double-kick philosophy rather than using a double pedal configuration. This represented a change from the DW 9000 single pedals he used on Brotherhood of the Snake (2016). As a Pearl endorser, the switch to Pearl Eliminators aligned his pedal platform with his drum brand. The Pearl Eliminator's interchangeable cam system allowed Hoglan to fine-tune the pedal's feel and power stroke to match the specific requirements of the 2020 material.