Tim Yeung Drum Kit & Gear Setup — Morbid Angel & Vital Remains Drummer | MetalForge
Tim Yeung (born November 27, 1978, in Pennsylvania, USA) is an American extreme metal drummer whose incredible speed, precision, and endurance have made him one of the most sought-after drummers in death metal. His resume reads like a who's who of extreme metal, having performed with Morbid Angel, Vital Remains, Hate Eternal, Divine Heresy, and Nile. Yeung's drumming combines machine-like consistency with the brutal intensity demanded by the most extreme forms of death metal. His ability to maintain clarity and power at sustained high tempos has earned him a reputation as one of the elite drummers in the genre.
Complete biography of Tim Yeung, extreme metal drummer for Morbid Angel, Vital Remains, and Hate Eternal. Explore his incredible speed, precision, and death metal drumming career.
Tim Yeung Biography
Tim Yeung (born November 27, 1978, in Pennsylvania, USA) is an American extreme metal drummer whose incredible speed, precision, and endurance have made him one of the most sought-after drummers in death metal. His resume reads like a who's who of extreme metal, having performed with Morbid Angel, Vital Remains, Hate Eternal, Divine Heresy, and Nile.
Yeung's drumming combines machine-like consistency with the brutal intensity demanded by the most extreme forms of death metal. His ability to maintain clarity and power at sustained high tempos has earned him a reputation as one of the elite drummers in the genre.
Career Highlights
- 1990s: Began drumming career in the underground death metal scene
- 2001: Joined Erik Rutan's Hate Eternal
- 2002: Recorded "King of All Kings" with Hate Eternal
- 2003: Joined Vital Remains, recorded "Dechristianize"
- 2004: Joined Morbid Angel following Pete Sandoval's health issues
- 2006: Co-founded Divine Heresy with Dino Cazares
- 2011: Recorded "Illud Divinum Insanus" with Morbid Angel
- 2012: Filled in for George Kollias on Nile European dates
- 2015: Left Morbid Angel
- 2023: Continues session and touring work in extreme metal
Style & Influences
Tim Yeung's drumming style is defined by extreme speed, unwavering consistency, and brutal power. His approach prioritizes technical precision while maintaining the relentless intensity that death metal demands.
Key Influences:
- Pete Sandoval (Morbid Angel): Gravity blast pioneer, the template for Morbid Angel drumming
- Dave Lombardo (Slayer): Thrash metal foundation
- Gene Hoglan (Death): Technical precision in death metal
- Derek Roddy: Extreme speed technique
Signature Techniques:
- Sustained blast beats at extreme tempos with clarity
- Powerful, consistent double bass patterns
- Gravity blast technique execution
- Machine-like consistency throughout long sets
- Ability to adapt to various death metal subgenre requirements
Gear Highlights
Tim Yeung has used various drum setups throughout his career, favoring equipment that can handle the extreme demands of death metal drumming.
Typical Setup:
- Drums: Tama Starclassic Bubinga
- Snare: 14"x6.5" Metal snare for cut and attack
- Cymbals: Zildjian or Sabian (bright, cutting series for extreme metal)
- Hardware: Tama Speed Cobra 910 Double Pedal
- Sticks: Vic Firth or Promark 5B/2B for durability
- Heads: Evans (EMAD or Genera series)
Setup Philosophy:
- Prioritizes durability and consistency for extreme applications
- Trigger-assisted bass drums for clarity at high speeds
- Bright, cutting cymbals that penetrate dense guitar tones