---
name: "Ryan Van Poederooyen"
band: "Devin Townsend Project"
page_type: "gear_evolution"
profile_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummer/ryan-van-poederooyen"
evolution_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummers/ryan-van-poederooyen/evolution"
source: "https://metalforge.io"
last_updated: "2026-07-04"
---

# Ryan Van Poederooyen Drum Kit Evolution — Complete Timeline

Recommended to Devin Townsend by longtime drummer Gene Hoglan in 2002, Ryan Van Poederooyen spent 16 years as Townsend's primary drummer across the Devin Townsend Band and Devin Townsend Project, building the Pearl Reference Series / Sabian HHX & AAX rig that carried him from "Accelerated Evolution" (2003) through "Transcendence" (2016) and into his current Montreal session and teaching career.

See also: [Ryan Van Poederooyen drummer profile](/llms/drummers/ryan-van-poederooyen.md) · [Ryan Van Poederooyen gear history](/llms/gear-history/ryan-van-poederooyen.md)

---

## Devin Townsend Band Founding Era (2002–2007)

**Albums:** Devin Townsend Band: Accelerated Evolution (2003), Devin Townsend Band: Synchestra (2006)
**Tours:** Devin Townsend Band touring dates (2002–2007)

Devin Townsend recruited Van Poederooyen in 2002 on the recommendation of longtime collaborator Gene Hoglan, who had seen him perform with his own experimental group God Awakens Petrified. As the newly formed Devin Townsend Band's drummer, Van Poederooyen recorded "Accelerated Evolution" (2003) and "Synchestra" (2006), establishing the powerful-yet-dynamic playing style that would define two decades of collaboration, though no single fixed gear endorsement from this founding period is publicly documented.

- **Drums:** Various touring/session kits — no single fixed brand documented
- **Snare:** Standard steel snares, varied by session
- **Cymbals:** Varied by session, no fixed brand documented
- **Hardware:** Standard touring hardware, no fixed brand documented
- **Sticks:** Standard hickory sticks, varied by session (pre-Vic Firth era)
- **Heads:** Standard session heads, varied by session
- **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$2,200 (inflation-adjusted to 2026: ~$3,300)

**Key developments:**
- Recruited by Devin Townsend in 2002 on Gene Hoglan's recommendation
- Recorded Accelerated Evolution (2003) and Synchestra (2006)
- Established the dynamic playing style that defined two decades with Townsend
- No fixed gear endorsement documented for the Devin Townsend Band years

---

## Devin Townsend Project & Pearl/Sabian Rig (2009–2018)

**Albums:** Devin Townsend Project: Addicted (2009), Deconstruction (2011), Epicloud (2012), Z² (2014), Transcendence (2016)
**Tours:** Devin Townsend Project World Tours (2009–2018)

**Q: How did the Devin Townsend Project form?**
A: After the Devin Townsend Band dissolved in 2007, Van Poederooyen spent two years on side projects — including his own Terror Syndrome and progressive rock outfit Ten Ways from Sunday — before rejoining Townsend in 2009 for the newly formed Devin Townsend Project. Over the next decade he recorded five studio albums, establishing the Pearl Reference Series / Sabian HHX & AAX rig that defined the project's sound before DTP entered an indefinite hiatus in 2018.

- **Drums:** Pearl Reference Series — multi-ply shell pack for powerful low end and quick rebound
- **Snare:** Pearl Reference 14"x6.5" Brass
- **Cymbals:** Sabian HHX & AAX Series — 14" HHX Evolution Hi-Hats, 18" & 20" HHX Evolution Crashes, 21" HHX Raw Bell Dry Ride, 19" AAXtreme China
- **Hardware:** Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal, Pearl D-3000 Throne
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B
- **Heads:** Evans
- **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$7,600 (inflation-adjusted to 2026: ~$10,800)

**Key developments:**
- Rejoined Townsend in 2009 for the newly formed Devin Townsend Project
- Recorded five DTP studio albums between 2009 and 2016
- Established the Pearl Reference Series / Sabian HHX & AAX rig
- DTP entered an indefinite hiatus in 2018

---

## Post-DTP Session & Teaching Work (2018–Present)

**Albums:** Session and teaching work (ongoing)
**Tours:** Montreal-area session and drum instruction (2018–present)

**Q: What is Ryan Van Poederooyen doing now?**
A: Since Devin Townsend Project's 2018 hiatus announcement, Van Poederooyen has continued as a session drummer and drum instructor in the Montreal area, carrying his Pearl Reference Series / Sabian HHX & AAX rig — verified current as of February 2026 via Pearl and Sabian's own artist pages — into ongoing session and teaching work while remaining available for future Devin Townsend collaborations.

- **Drums:** Pearl Reference Series *(unchanged)*
- **Snare:** Pearl Reference 14"x6.5" Brass *(unchanged)*
- **Cymbals:** Sabian HHX & AAX Series *(unchanged)*
- **Hardware:** Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal, Pearl D-3000 Throne *(unchanged)*
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B *(unchanged)*
- **Heads:** Evans
- **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$7,900 (inflation-adjusted to 2026: ~$8,900)

**Key developments:**
- Devin Townsend Project entered an indefinite hiatus in 2018
- Continued as a session drummer and drum instructor in Montreal
- Pearl/Sabian rig verified current as of February 2026
- Remains available for future Devin Townsend collaborations

---

## Career Cost Overview

| Era | Years | Kit Cost (Original) | Inflation-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devin Townsend Band Founding Era | 2002–2007 | $2,200 | ~$3,300 |
| Devin Townsend Project & Pearl/Sabian Rig | 2009–2018 | $7,600 | ~$10,800 |
| Post-DTP Session & Teaching Work | 2018–Present | $7,900 | ~$8,900 |

---

## Gear Brand Partnerships Timeline

- **Pearl Reference Series (drums)** — 2009–present (since the Devin Townsend Project's founding)
- **Sabian HHX & AAX Series (cymbals)** — 2009–present
- **Vic Firth American Classic 5B (sticks)** — 2009–present
- **Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal (hardware)** — 2009–present

---

## FAQ

**Q: What drum kit does Ryan Van Poederooyen play?**
A: Ryan Van Poederooyen plays a Pearl Reference Series kit with a Pearl Reference 14"x6.5" Brass snare, Sabian HHX & AAX cymbals, and a Pearl Demon Drive double pedal — a rig established during the Devin Townsend Project years and verified current as of February 2026.

**Q: How did Ryan Van Poederooyen join Devin Townsend's band?**
A: Devin Townsend recruited Van Poederooyen in 2002 on the recommendation of longtime drummer Gene Hoglan, who had seen him perform with his own experimental group God Awakens Petrified.

**Q: What albums did Ryan Van Poederooyen record with Devin Townsend Project?**
A: Van Poederooyen recorded Addicted (2009), Deconstruction (2011), Epicloud (2012), Z² (2014), and Transcendence (2016) across Devin Townsend Project's decade-long run before the band's 2018 hiatus.

**Q: Is Ryan Van Poederooyen still drumming for Devin Townsend?**
A: Devin Townsend Project has been on an indefinite hiatus since 2018. Van Poederooyen has continued as a session drummer and drum instructor in Montreal since then, while remaining available for future collaborations with Townsend.

**Q: What bands has Ryan Van Poederooyen played in?**
A: Van Poederooyen drummed for the Devin Townsend Band (2002–2007) and Devin Townsend Project (2009–2018), alongside side projects including Terror Syndrome and Ten Ways from Sunday during Townsend's 2007–2009 hiatus.

---

## Related Pages

- [Ryan Van Poederooyen Drummer Profile](/llms/drummers/ryan-van-poederooyen.md)
- [Ryan Van Poederooyen Gear History](/llms/gear-history/ryan-van-poederooyen.md)
- [Metal Drumming Facts & Stats](/llms/facts.md)