In a new interview with Remzi 'Jam Man' Yates of Rocking With Jam Man, DARK ANGEL drummer Gene Hoglan reminisced about the early days of thrash metal.

When asked if he felt like he was part of a movement changing music forever during that era, Hoglan responded, "Not at all.

We had no idea." He explained that the band was swimming upstream, as hair metal and radio rock were huge trends at the time.

Hoglan described the music scene as feeling fake and plastic, with bands relying on image over substance.

In contrast, thrash metal was raw and real.

The drummer credited thrash metal for influencing a wide range of styles, including death metal and grindcore, and shaping the sound of modern heavy music.

Hoglan's technical drumming style has earned him nicknames like "The Atomic Clock" and "Human Drum Machine." He got his start with Devin Townsend and DARK ANGEL before joining DEATH, TESTAMENT, and FEAR FACTORY.

Hoglan also worked on several albums with Canadian multi-instrumentalist Devin Townsend and the speed/industrial/death metal band STRAPPING YOUNG LAD.

In addition to his musical endeavors, Hoglan has been involved with DETHKLOK, a band from the animated TV show Metalocalypse.

Hoglan's path to fame began when he was asked to join DARK ANGEL as their drummer in 1984.

He penned most of the lyrics for the band's next three albums and went on to play with DEATH during the mid-1990s, when Chuck Schuldiner was pushing the group towards a more progressive style.