Gene Hoglan Drum Kit & Gear Setup — "The Atomic Clock" Death Metal Drummer | MetalForge
Gene Hoglan Drum Kit, Gear & Setup
Complete biography of Gene Hoglan, nicknamed "The Atomic Clock" for his metronomic precision. Explore his work with Death, Testament, Dethklok, and his influ...
Quick Facts: Gene Hoglan
| Band | Death / Testament / Dethklok |
|---|---|
| All bands | Dark Angel, Death, Testament, Dethklok, Fear Factory, Strapping Young Lad |
| Genre | Death Metal / Thrash Metal |
| Country | USA |
| Primary brand | Pearl |
| Drum kit | Pearl Reference Pure |
| Snare | Pearl Reference 14x6.5" Brass |
| Sticks | Promark Classic Forward 2B |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Gene Hoglan called "The Atomic Clock"?
Gene earned this nickname for his metronomic timing precision and inhuman accuracy.
What bands has Gene Hoglan played in?
Gene has played with Death, Testament, Dark Angel, Strapping Young Lad, Dethklok, and Fear Factory.
What drums does Gene Hoglan play?
Gene Hoglan plays Pearl Reference Pure drums with Sabian AAX cymbals.
Was Gene Hoglan in Death?
Yes, Gene drummed on Death's albums "Individual Thought Patterns" (1993) and "Symbolic" (1995).
When was Gene Hoglan born?
Gene Hoglan was born on August 31, 1967, and turns 59 on August 31, 2026.
What drum kit does Gene Hoglan use?
Gene Hoglan's drum kit is a Pearl Reference Pure kit in various finishes, centered on his Pearl Reference 14"x6.5" brass snare drum for extra cut and projection. The kit is fitted with Sabian AAX cymbals — 15" hi-hats, crashes up to 20", and a 22" ride — and powered by a Pearl Demon Drive double pedal. Hoglan favors a relatively compact drum kit for accessibility across the many bands he plays in.
What drum set does Gene Hoglan use?
Gene Hoglan's drum set is Pearl Reference Pure, built around a Pearl Reference 14"x6.5" brass snare drum, Sabian AAX cymbals (15" hi-hats, crashes to 20", and a 22" ride), and a Pearl Demon Drive double pedal. He plays Evans Genera HD or EMAD heads and ProMark Classic Forward 2B sticks, keeping the drum set consistent across Death, Testament, and Dethklok.
What cymbals does Gene Hoglan use?
Gene Hoglan uses Sabian AAX series cymbals, including 15" AAX hi-hats, AAX crashes up to 20", and a 22" AAX ride. He favors the brightness and cut of the AAX line to project clearly in dense, extreme metal arrangements.
What snare drum does Gene Hoglan use?
Gene Hoglan plays a Pearl Reference 14"x6.5" brass snare drum, chosen for the extra cut and projection a brass shell provides over his Pearl Reference Pure kit.