Alex Rudinger - DECAPITATED - "DAY 69" (ft. Kevin Heiderich)

First off, BIG shoutout to my friend Kevin Heiderich - he recorded the guitars for this cover, & frankly, if I didn't have quality guitars / bass to use with my recorded drums, I probably wouldn't have done this at all. So THANK YOU for being into this cover idea, Kevin! To everyone else reading this, show your support & SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW him (on KZbin & Instagram, respectively!):
/ @kevinheiderich
/ kevinheiderich
AND (quick shameless self-promotion! 😂) - If you've yet to check out any of the products from Anup & I's business, RS DRUMS, please do so by clicking below!
www.rsdrums.com
On to my usual/over-the-top video description 😂👌🏼! This #DECAPITATED song, "Day 69" is from the album 'Organic Hallucinosis', released in 2006. I heard it for the first time right around then - my friend Max Phelps (guitarist of the band EXIST, who also fronts the 'Death To All' tribute band & plays live with Cynic sometimes) burnt me a CD copy of it. Max & I grew up together (in fact, Exist was our local band), & he was always showing me new music & burning me CD's back then. Frankly, I wouldn't have gotten into HALF the stuff I was/am into if it weren't for him.
Anyway - this album always stuck out to me. It quickly became one of my favorite death metal albums, & remains one of my favorites to this day. About a year after this album's release, the original drummer of Decapitated, Witold 'Vitek' Kieltyka, was killed in a bus crash in Russia (well, according to wikipedia, it says they were on their way to a show in Belarus, but were taken to a hospital in Russia). He survived the initial accident, but passed away several days later at the age of 23. The singer of the band at the time, Adrian 'Covan' Kowanek, was also severely injured, but survived. Little information can be found about him online anymore, but from what I understand, he is paralyzed from the waist down & deals with symptoms caused by Cerebral Hypoxia.
This accident would've been devastating for anyone, but I remember it hitting especially close to home for me - Vitek was a young drummer who I looked up to, & his entire vibe/feel with Decapitated was truly unmatched (even to this day!). Who knows how great he could've gone on to be. Covan as well - I absolutely love the vocals on this album. IDK, ya'll - it's just truly sad. At the very least, we are fortunate to have this RIPPIN' album that they both participated in, so if you've never heard it - I highly recommend you check it out!
Decapitated went on hiatus for awhile after that, but eventually resurfaced, & got young-drummer/fellow KZbinr KRIMH to take over behind the kit (around 2009/2010). I remember ALSO being hellllla stoked about this, & thinking that there's no one better to take over the position. To this day, Krimh is in my Top-3 favorite metal drummers (along with Eloy & Dirk!), & he has got to be one of (if not THE) grooviest death metal drummers. I mean, nobody really has the feel & power he has, especially at the speeds he plays. So, yeah - he was the perfect replacement back then. Although he didn't stay in the band, he did record one album with them, & I was fortunate enough to see them live with him on a Summer Slaughter Tour (circa 2011).
Speaking of... I also saw Decapitated with Vitek... twice! One of those times (Jaxx Nightclub in Springfield, VA), I actually caught his drumstick at the end of the show. Still have it, too - how sick is that?!
ANYWAY, ya'll - my POINT is: I've had love for this album for a long time, & was super stoked to finally do a cover from it. So I hope you enjoy it!
KIT SPECS!
#TAMA STAR Maple
10x6.5
12x7
14x11
16x13
20x16 (x2)
14x7 JT Sig Snare
#MEINL Cymbals (from L to R if sitting behind the kit)
18" Pure Alloy China
18" Classics Custom Dual Crash
15" Byzance Traditional
12" Classics Custom Dual Trash Splash
10" Classics Custom Dual Splash
15" Byzance Dual Hi-Hats
19" Classics Custom Dual Crash
18" Classics Custom Heavy Dark China
22" Byzance Heavy Hammered Ride
#EVANS Drumheads
Toms - Clear G2s (batter), Clear G1s (reso)
Snare - Coated UV2 (batter), Snare Side 300 (reso)
Kick - Clear EQ4s (batter), Smooth White EQ4 w/ port (reso)
As per usual, mixing duties were handled by Declan White! He absolutely KILLED IT! Kevin's sick guitar tone & Declan's mixing... 👌🏼
& I'm finally doing my podcast again (regularly!). Several new episodes are already up (links below!) -
Spotify: spoti.fi/3t5j9n1
Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/RantsAnd...
Please feel free to follow me on your desired social network(s)!
/ alexrudinger
/ alexrudingerofficial
/ rudirudinger
/ alexrudinger
www.gumroad.co...
www.threads.ne...
www.alexruding...
As always, thanks for watching & stay tuned for more!

[@Kmac2021]

The drum break at 2:17 has lived rent free in my head for the better part of 10 years

[@NympoGaming]

Hey Kmaccavelli

[@Jakster840]

How many times have you listened to the conquering dystopia LP?

[@jkh3959]

Kmaaaaaaaaaaac!!!!

[@nicholasward8358]

Samesies tbh :3

[@VoidMaker407]

real

[@KRIMHDrummer]

We love you Rüdi !

[@niteshpokhrel5655]

We love you krimh

[@Dontgiveafuck320]

Alex can't answer, he's too busy eating everything in sight! JFC what happened to this guy? He looks like he's gained 50 lbs of pizza in a few months. LOL

[@emergentform1188]

hell yes we do

[@StillbjornOne]

He's still bringing the hammer down HARD. What the fuck does it matter what he's eating? Alex is the goat. Try to keep up, bub.@@Dontgiveafuck320

[@JD-sc7bd]

You are beast mfr too lol

[@ChaosPootato]

The entire album is fucking timeless

[@alfieshaw2931]

Agreed mate. Hoping for a 20th anniversary tour in a few years! Saw them for the third time last Sunday and it was just as good as the previous two times. Such a great live sound like always. Me and my Dad got to meet Vogg too, which was so awesome, such a humble guy and happy to chat to fans.🤘🏼

[@AnaerobicFermentation]

The last good Decapitated album :(

[@ChaosPootato]

@@AnaerobicFermentation Ah come on, Decap' has never been bad, I'm less fond of the late 2010s era after Krimh left but they're still solid albums. Their newest is really fucking good too

[@AnaerobicFermentation]

I don't think they're bad, their sound just changed too much for me @@ChaosPootato

[@theshidde4238]

Brutal Bro!!!

[@x8jason8x]

One of the sickest death metal tracks out there. RIP Vitek

[@Joncka]

Vitek recorded this album the year he turned 16. Insane.

[@simonthepaut9337]

More like 22, this is from Organic Hallucinosis, the last album before he died. But yes, he was 15 when they recorded their first LP Wings of Creation, which is insane.

[@chadkrueger2985]

Incorrect

[@blumetech99]

Dude this is HUGE that you’re covering death metal songs again. Takes me back to the old Rudinger days. So fucking good man!

[@PaulOuzounov]

Good to see another one of the best death metal drummers posting on this drummers page... hope you're doing great brother!

[@ravensongstudios]

Man, every time I see covers I am happy that people still know who Vitek was, but it still leaves me sad. You did a good job with this.

[@FranciscoPalacios.CFH.]

Feel the same bro, Alex on this gave me the chills

[@quadblaster69420]

Vitek was literally irreplaceable. Such a unique and incredible talent. I miss him every time I listen to older Decapitated.

[@ContaminatedBeef]

Rudinger and Heiderich? Talk about a stacked lineup

[@MattJFilms]

Killllerr cover and what a classic jam! The OG's will remember hearing 2:18 in that old "Top 10 Fastest Double Bass" video lmao!

[@noahriva]

Oh my you just unlocked a memory over here dude!🥲🙏

[@robertwalker3357]

Lombardo

[@petedog9581]

@@robertwalker3357 Maybe back in 1988.

[@KeithMerrow]

This drum mix is so insane, and obviously you nailed this. But man, this sounds so powerful, I keep coming back to it. Love u Rudi!

[@KevinHeiderich]

I hope you also like the guitars 🥺

[@zachripa4158]

Peace to Vitek, he was a great drummer and only just getting started . This is great cover and way to pay homage to a great drummer !

[@ScottMillerCovers]

I love how respectful you were to the parts, but still added your own unique twist! You and Vitek are forever the goats.

[@skywalkerluk1]

Vitek RIP ....he was teenager at the time when he wrote this and also played. Decapitated ❤❤❤

[@msnrc]

I am a big fan of Kevin and I am so happy that he gets more recognition! He's a great musician!

[@viniciusdiniz5189]

Long live Vitek (Witold Kiełtyka) the creator of the MASTERPIECE drum composition. Jan 24 , 1984 🌟 Nov 02, 2007 ✝️

[@Djcimofficial]

Still blasting this album till this day. Vitek was a monster behind the kit.

[@robertwalker3357]

Slayer

[@matthewburdett55]

I’m amazed how high that stick comes up on the blasts, fast and still powerful as hell using the fingers. BEAST

[@johnnygotgrowls]

This is fantastic and Kevin really did do an unreal job of these guitars. Unreal. Makes me wanna do the yelly yelly bad guy vocals over this

[@KevinHeiderich]

Dude we're still sitting on an instrumental version of this with programmed drums from Alex library, that needs a singer!

[@nj1255]

Vitek and Vogg were just the perfect groovy duo. The riffs and drums parts of Decapitated from Winds of Creation to Organic Hallucinosis are unrivaled! I still think Vogg writes some of the catchiest and groovy riffs today, but I kinda miss the insane drumming of Vitek to go with the riffs. Great job with the cover from both you and Kevin!

[@P0LYBiUS7]

FUCK that was clean, holy shit. A fantastic homage to the legend.

[@raymondbauer2152]

Kevin is one of the highest skilled guitarists on the planet, sick to see that you're working together!

[@nicmower23]

This song always gets me so pumped, you and Kevin made it sound so good too!

[@fightclub94]

Man, what a beast of a song, played by a beast of a drummer here! You killed it like always! 🔥🤘😎🤘🔥

[@janusbondi]

Absolutely surgical performance! I started watching you way back, like back in 2012 I think, before you joined the faceless, and I always wanted to see you play something of this album, because I knew you would be able to nail it. The day has finally come and god damn is it perfect! This album is a masterpiece and will always be my no.1, I would love to see you do more of this if you can. Believe it or not this cover is a dream come true for me, youve been my idol since I was 18 and always wanted to see you play my favorite album. Thank you for this!

[@DiogoBarbosaDB]

The world is not prepared for Kevin!

[@VoxelMitosis]

Organic have been one of my favorite albums since the first time I heard it.

[@deanturner7630]

Kevin is the GOAT. We needed this!

[@PaulOuzounov]

Arguably the best death metal album to ever exist.

[@blackphelps3793]

Decapitated made this album and it changed everything. Masterpiece!!!!

[@cmd_f5]

awesome cover guys! Glad you got Kevin on this track \M/ what a beast. Organic is one of Decap's best albums IMO. Such a huge, punchy sound.

[@metaldrummersonly4402]

Great drumming. Kevin is one of my favorite all time guitar players

[@MrErikchaugen]

Kevin is awesome on guitar here!!!

[@Jobber_84]

The instrumental fill was just FIRE!

[@rabbitz7740]

the mix on this is unreal!

[@VictorCarnevali]

i dont want to give it another like. Its perfect the way iot is

[@jwade848]

Love it man. Now waiting on any Archspire cover!

[@pacoside1092]

As per usual.... DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@Chapsu911]

Saw Decapitated live last year and their performance was absolutely spot on. Every note and nuance was there. Love this band

[@tomaskavka1177]

you are MAASTER,KILLER and GOOD in one person....well well well,nice

[@zanebarrett3728]

The drums already sound incredible. Then you see all the little extras Vitek threw in that give it that extra edge. Organic Halucinosis for lyfe

[@joshuasplural]

Man i love your descriptions, just like lovely stories about how you discovered stuff. We all have these stories of our own, its just sick to see yours and to hear your passion coming through talking about all the sick music you've heard, the artists you look up to, and the stuff you're playing and doin in your life

[@GenericUsername23]

Amazing song, amazing performance

[@bertrandmichotte1501]

Thank you both for this flawless cover. Plus I really loved your "over-the-top" video description. Such a great tribute to an absolute monster of a band / album / drummer.

[@stylekanton7006]

This is just Rüde, for any one man to have this power

[@QuincyKane]

This was sick! Phenomenal playing!

[@blackseebs]

I just got home from tour with them, it was so sick to see this every night alongside Nihility in full. Great job as always! 👏

[@otravoyadnoe]

This song is my all-time Decapitated favorite, but I can't listen to it anymore because it reminds me of their gig in my home town two days before the band bus got crashed causing Vitek's death. Even 15 years later I just can't.

[@jesserapkin2660]

Opened KZbin and saw there was a Vitek cover and rolled my eyes….then I saw that it was Alex playing it and I knew it would be great.

[@GrofdesignVideography]

Mindblowing as always, but MAN those guitars are tight! Also the tone... thought those were stems straight off the album

[@DirtyHarry771]

Damn!!! Skillz to pay the billz!!!

[@wothesperus]

Epic!!! Amazing cover. Love that song and that album and the drumming on it. Vitek was such a naturally gifted drummer. RIP.

[@neutronstar6]

yessss

[@marcxdestroyer]

That's what I'm talking about

[@combatwombatt]

Dude hearing this in modern day mixing is fucking AMAZING

[@dwreck0rds]

YES

[@TESLACE1337]

What a pleasure to watch

[@allboyshatebras]

Daaaaaaaaang! Great stuff, man. Loved that solo section where we can hear the kit just sing.

[@mangleinfant]

This man is a Robot, tight as a drum machine!! Amazing!!!🤘

[@66Samus]

Fucking destroyed it. 🤘🤘 Ohhhh YURRRRR!!!!

[@OriginalGaucho]

Witold "Vitek" Kiełtyka!

[@ergile172]

This song is such a classic

[@ProfessorECSoffical]

You’ve done it again Rudy! You are an animal

[@Deathcore999]

awesome man :) I love to watch your drum videos

[@KBStickEm]

I do not for the life of me understand how you still don't have a million plus subs. It really blows my mind! You're one of the best in the world!! Keep the content coming, thanks for sharing!

[@BlackHowl1]

Bravo. Vitek would be proud I'm sure.

[@darranschnepf8076]

Thats just a whole other level i will never achieve,god damn 😮

[@vincegedeon6583]

They are so frigggin loud! Saw them in Oregon

[@countskippy]

One of the absolutely most influential band/album when I was going through school.

[@DespiseChoChugz]

This was so fckn sick!! You both should definitely do more together, fantastic combo! And Kevin slowly but finally getting the recognition he deserves, such an insane player! Both of you

[@davecieck8894]

Fuck yea! One of my favorite albums of all time. This is the best drum tone ever. Killer job Rudi!

[@biohayzer]

One of my favourite songs and DM albums ever!🤘🏻

[@MarcelSchoenegge]

Fuck yeah!!

[@lisao6928]

Haven't heard this in forever! Forgot how good this album is! Got to see them live once :)

[@TempleOfTheMartyrs]

WE NEED THIS GUY IN OUR BAND............LIKE NOW

[@user-ql6ph5ej1t]

El mejor Cover que he visto en mi vida de Day 69 haces todos los detalles que hacia el difunto Vitek idéntico al original ...saludos viejo Alex

[@ostravia]

That knackered you. LOL and well done.

[@maurilo.rezende]

This snare sound is amazing!

[@thedissonant]

Absolutely fantastic. Sounds like gunshots and works perfectly with the kicks.

[@nicholasburt6679]

And that’s how’s it’s done 🤘👍

[@walpurgisnacht9234]

I fucking love you dude. lol. So clean, so powerful , so tiiiiiggghht.

[@xxSPiKeZxx326]

Man, who needs cardio at the gym when you can just play this song for like an hour lol

[@nicramtimzs6245]

I remember some of the Polish reviews of OH when it came out and I think in one of them the record was described as ideally cut professional product devoid of any unnecessary embellishments. A piece of perfectly constructed craftsmanship with nothing to add or subtract. Everybody in the comments has already praised You for Your take, so I am just going to add that Your kit sounds amazing :)

[@ellanceo6666]

Vitek Approves 💯

[@Flux799]

You might just very well be one of the best metal drummers ever.

[@EviLLivEClan]

you’re on a another lvl dude

[@tojokuoh]

I see Rudinger video I must like and comment!

[@bonethread9946]

Man Decapitated has some of the sickest riff/drum parts and as always Alex DELIVERS

[@papapoodo6685]

FUCK YEAH!!!

[@m.maddix2130]

I came with each and every rimshot.

[@madcatproductions69]

fu-cking MASTERPIECE. One of my favorite songs by them, ya friggin nailed that shit TO DA CROSSSSSSS

[@user-cb6cu8nj5r]

Excellent playing! Probably my fav Decapitated song.

[@thorinvalhalla5665]

That was awesome! So much feel in this song. One of my favorites of theirs. Great job!

[@Kindling_the_Void]

Sheesh!

[@lastditch727]

Wow dude, this is ridiculously good.

[@jackdixon8444]

Just becoming unstoppable 🤣

[@cristiantobar4759]

Holy f'n s**t!!! Amazing! (That ride reminds me a lot my 20 inch Zildjian Z Custom)

[@DrewClark-Solipsis]

golly gosh this guy is goooood at drums.

[@novantium3760]

Classic Decapitated!

[@jJPyLfGpLKetwBam]

Thanks for this cover, the fury and 3D defect are also awesome tracks

[@sofukingwhat]

That scream on the actual song at 0:52 over the musical transition is just so freaking bad ass. I don't know why but every time this song comes in my car (on random), i'm always looking forward that specific part of the song with excitement