Ryan Joost Van Poederooyen (/væn ˈpdərɔɪ.ən/;[1] born November 13, 1972), often referred to by his initials RVP, is a Canadian drummer. He gained international recognition[2] as a member of progressive metal groups The Devin Townsend Band (2002–2007) and The Devin Townsend Project (2009-2018). He is currently a member of progressive rock band Ten Ways from Sunday. as well as the founder of metal bands God Awakens Petrified, Terror Syndrome, and Imonolith.

Ryan Van Poederooyen
Background information
Birth nameRyan Joost Van Poederooyen
Also known asRVP
Born (1972-11-13) November 13, 1972 (age 51)
Port Alberni, British Columbia
OriginVancouver, British Columbia
GenresHeavy metal, progressive rock
Occupation(s)Musician, session musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Drums, Percussion
Years active1996–present
WebsiteRVP Drums (defunct)

Biography edit

Van Poederooyen was born November 13, 1972, in Port Alberni, British Columbia. At the age of 10, his father enrolled him in drum lessons. He played in jazz and stage bands throughout high school, and at age 15 joined a cover band that played throughout Vancouver Island. At 17 he decided to become a full-time musician.[3]

After several years of mixed success doing session work and playing in original bands,[3] Van Poederooyen started his first successful band, experimental metal group God Awakens Petrified, in 1996.[2] The band opened for thrash metal pioneers Megadeth in 2000[2] and released a self-titled album and an EP before disbanding in 2004.[4]

In 2002, Van Poederooyen was contacted by Devin Townsend to join a progressive metal group he was forming to play his solo material.[3] Van Poederooyen was recommended by long-time Townsend drummer Gene Hoglan, who had seen him perform with God Awakens Petrified.[5] The Devin Townsend Band released two albums, Accelerated Evolution and Synchestra, before disbanding in 2007. Van Poederooyen was also approached by Darkane guitarist Christofer Malmström to play in his solo project, Non-Human Level,[6] which released a self-titled album in 2005.

Van Poederooyen began work on a new solo project in 2004[4] with Devin Townsend Band members Mike Young and Dave Young. The band, Terror Syndrome, independently issued a digital release of its self-titled debut album in 2008, shortly after acquiring Annihilator vocalist Dave Padden. Van Poederooyen also joined Ten Ways from Sunday, a progressive rock band formed by Mike Young and Dave Young, in May 2008.[7]

Van Poederooyen continued working with Devin Townsend, featuring on the Devin Townsend Project albums Addicted, Deconstruction (sharing drumming duties with Dirk Verbeuren), Epicloud, the double album Z² (Sky Blue & Dark Matters) and Transcendence. The live album, Ocean Machine - Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv, was their final release.

Equipment edit

Van Poederooyen previously used Pearl Reference Series drums in Arctic White, but has since switched to the Sonor Prolite Series.[8] He uses Regal Tip RVP Signature drumsticks.

Selected discography edit

God Awakens Petrified edit

  • God Awakens Petrified (1999)
  • After Birth (EP, 2002)

The Devin Townsend Band edit

Terror Syndrome edit

Devin Townsend Project edit

Collaborative edit

References edit

  1. ^ Ryan Van Poederooyen On Recording With The Devin Townsend Project." The Stage. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c Sharpe-Young, Garry (2005). New Wave of American Heavy Metal. p. 157. New Plymouth: Zonda Books Limited. ISBN 0-9582684-0-1.
  3. ^ a b c Van Poederooyen, Ryan. "Biography." RVP Drums.
  4. ^ a b "Devin Townsend Band Drummer to Record Solo Album" (August 3, 2004). Blabbermouth.net.
  5. ^ "Ryan Van Poederooyen" (March–April 2006). Slagwerkkrant (132). (in Dutch)
  6. ^ "Meshuggah, Devin Townsend Band Members To Appear On Darkane Guitarist's Solo Album" (August 24, 2003). Blabbermouth.net.
  7. ^ "The Devin Townsend Band / Terror Syndrome Members Launch Ten Ways from Sunday" (May 10, 2008). Blabbermouth.net.
  8. ^ "Ryan Van Poederooyen - Gear". Archived from the original on 2019-12-29.

Additional references edit

External links edit