Alex Rudinger - GOJIRA - "BACKBONE" (ft. Kevin Heiderich)

Just like my last cover, huge thanks to Kevin Heiderich for recording the guitars for this cover! Please show him some love & support by following his YT & Insta, then continue on reading for some additional information!
/ @kevinheiderich
/ kevinheiderich
& if it weren't obvious from the title, the song is "BACKBONE" by #GOJIRA ! From the album 'From Mars To Sirius' (2005) - one of my personal favorite Gojira albums. I'd always wanted to do a Gojira cover, too - glad I was finally able to do one.
Anyway! Ok, so: Kevin recorded the guitars, but before he did so I tried out one of those AI 'album stem separators' (I'm pretty sure those things actually just recreate/emulate individual instruments from scratch, via analyzing the original recording. Not so much actually / literally "separating" the original file into true, individual instrument stems. I could be totally wrong about that, though - that's just what it sounds like to me). At ANY rate: I decided to try one of those out (Moises, specifically), & while there're aspects of it that were helpful, it still wasn't quite there.
Don't get me wrong - it's a really great tool, & I'm sure it'll only continue to improve. But there're still a LOT of imperfections & weird artifacts in the instruments - guitars & drums especially. That said, it was helpful for isolating the drums a bit more, which helped me transcribe it that much easier. And I even used the guitar/bass "stems" to practice with (since Kevin hadn't recorded real guitars yet). So again, it's a great tool. But for using in an actual mix... it's a long way off IMO. One thing that isn't super off about it is the vocal emulation - the technology there is already way ahead (not to mention, just easier to recreate - there're a lot less variables with a human voice, I guess. At least, when compared to multiple drums / cymbals ringing out & interfering with one another, or loud distorted guitars). So the Moises vocal "stem" / recreation was actually quite good! I still ended up editing it a bit, & copying/pasting a part or two that sounded a little funny (& replaced it with a part from somewhere else that it repeated, where it didn't sound as funny), but overall - quite believable! & since the vocals in this song are fairly minimal (not to mention, SICK!), I decided to leave them in!
So, in a way, this cover is like... a human-AI hybrid. LOL! Real / human drums, guitars, & bass, & AI vocals.
OH, & - the other thing that AI seems to really struggle with is making a click track / detecting tempo. Specifically, for songs / albums that were not recorded to a click (which this was not). So I made my own click/tempo map, & mapped it out to the original album file. Honestly, it made this a fairly difficult cover - so many tempo fluctuations, both large & small. Basically trying to emulate Mario's original feel. Which was kinda sick, but also quite a challenge!
Anyway... on to KIT SPECS !
#TAMA STAR Maple
10x6.5
12x7
14x11
16x13
20x16 (x2)
14x7 Cusworth Drums 3mm Cast Bronze w/ matching Bronze Hoops
#MEINL Cymbals (from L to R if sitting behind the kit)
18" Classics Custom Dual Crash
15" Byzance Traditional Medium 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), Onyx w/ Port (reso)
My podcast (new episodes weekly!):
Spotify: spoti.fi/3t5j9n1
Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/RantsAnd...
All other socials / links:
/ alexrudinger
/ alexrudingerofficial
/ rudirudinger
/ alexrudinger
www.gumroad.co...
www.threads.ne...
www.alexruding...
As always, thanks for watching & stay tuned for more!

[@66Samus]

Crushed it!! 22/10 🙌

[@Syphon_Drummer]

Ohhh yuuurrrr

[@tsbdgaming69s96]

Oh yurrrrr we love specific numbers m’kay

[@saiyansatan]

Ohh yurr! Alex always delivers!

[@joepanama9733]

So sick, makes you appreciate what a monster Mario Duplantier is too.

[@lolrofllmaomaster]

Mario Duplantier I think is more so a beast if not a monster.

[@cosmokramer1213]

There should be no doubt at this point in time of Mario's capability lol. Don't think I've heard him mess up even once either. Absolute monster. Alex is great too

[@TheAlex4019]

I saw him live 3 times and once he broke his cymbal. To this day, I wonder how his wood sticks won against steal 😂

[@olliemedsy]

​@@TheAlex4019breaking cymbals is a thing

[@HansSchickelgruber]

@@TheAlex4019 Cymbals are not made from steel but from bronze, and they break quite frequently if you play live a lot.

[@aaronhunter837]

I see Alex Rudinger and Gojira... I click and like.

[@tanosdrums]

Need more Gojira covers after this!!

[@mpzi]

Heaviest matter of the universe please

[@ohsh314]

Now lets see Esoteric Surgery 😈

[@Shane-zo4mg]

How is it humanly possible to be THIS locked in? You're the definition of a powerhouse.

[@Toxoplasmosis679]

Chaosphere pfp? Hell yeah

[@joshforeman1648]

Please cover Esoteric Surgery. It’s their most underrated track in my opinion and the drumming is absolutely insane.

[@Big_Yum]

man that double bass kit fucks

[@Dreathy]

The ultimate drumming Chad.

[@DreadfulDrummer]

2:40 • I like how the camera auto-focuses on the bell when it gets hit. Thanks for using that shot, it's great

[@christianmengel9407]

Kevin is a genius guitar player and did an awesome job, even if this was probably super easy for him!

[@oierbas1293]

Pls Alex dont stop makeing content. You do so great work mate!!

[@Lazaran]

Insane. This is what I am practising towards, hoping to be able to play this one day. Definitely in my top 3 gojira songs. Saw them play this live last summer and man it was a blast.

[@Coastfog]

Keep at it, you *can* get there, and even if you don't, you'll pick up incredible stuff along the way. Alex is one of my major inspirations to get *good* good, and while I'm still magnitudes away from his level, I couldn't be happier with how my playing has developed. One day, I wanna play The Cull, and I know I'll get there, I dgaf how long it takes.

[@into_the_void]

This and where dragons dwell are my favourite

[@motopolak]

@@Coastfog Covering any Intronaut song is a bucket list item for me lol. I'd probably pick something from The Direction of Last Things. I'm pretty good with polyrhythms and odd meters but some of Danny Walker's drum parts are nuts. Also a long way away from being consistent! Like you said, we will get there one day.

[@shane_058]

Man Alex just as usual, popping up randomly and dropping some of the hardest drumming in the business 🔥🔥

[@-xHALx-]

Brass snare looks and sounds insane! Great song, perfect execution, awesome as always!

[@vermilionpill6916]

He should have gotten a Savage Custom cast bronze instead. Then he would have had the option of an internal tone control knob so he would never have to use moon gels.

[@JD-sc7bd]

​@@vermilionpill6916😂 he could make a garbge can sound good bruh

[@vermilionpill6916]

@@JD-sc7bd A garbage can with moon gels? 😂

[@VentoRdrummeR]

Your upper body posture in the fast double bass parts shows how refined a drummer you are.

[@oleknowakmusic]

This is such a great song, one of my favorite from Gojira's older albums.

[@PrimoSchnevi]

nice job also by Kevin

[@TM-fr7gh]

Beautiful set up

[@Big_Yum]

all brass snare 🤤

[@warrenoids]

It's bronze actually (yes 🤓 moment i know)

[@internex4139]

​@@warrenoidsit's actually dirt

[@givemeajackson]

kevin's right hand is INSANE!!! could not be tighter

[@saiyansatan]

This was probably album of the year for me

[@FLOURISHFAMILYENT]

My favorite gojira song of all time 😄

[@Lenny-Mozes]

I really wanna see you leading a kick ass metal band one day Alex, love you!

[@Victorbatera15]

That snare is sounding amazing bro, nice video 🤘

[@mpzi]

angelic

[@rebelduck9077]

My gawd, the insane intensity of the double pedals in this track. 😅😅😅 nicely done

[@guitearist]

Monster cover of a monster song. Power and precision for days. Fkn love Alex and Mario.

[@asidfishy]

Ive been watching your stuff for over ten years now man you're all ways a source of inspiration! Great video mang!

[@LordAlwyn]

Not only a sick cover but bravo on the production all around. Tons of work and hours go behind creating this video. To learning the song, creating the tempo map, getting super talented friends to learn/record the guitars and bass. To then, record the video and audio. Have the audio mixed and edit said video. Great work!

[@mike0near]

This man is so tight. I always watch when a new video is up. Such a beast of a cover.

[@Utcheeow]

Watching Alex drumming is my personal ASMR

[@baalgrath7933]

One thing I love about your covers is there is no bullshit: you play it as is and even add affectation where needed. I don't remember those snare rolls during the blast part for instance, that's gotta be your own twist and I love that. Keep doing you man. Awesome job

[@steve_matin]

Nah they're there all right

[@tank5183]

Perfect fix for today as i was just listening to Art of Dying then this popped up solid Alex smashed it

[@josebuzani2066]

What the hell did I just watched??? So clean!

[@SillyBoydo]

2:30 I felt that

[@cecildungaroogoldenapple4741]

You’re a huge inspiration to all of us metal drummers Rudy!!!!

[@smeemusic]

Yes sir!!!!!!!

[@Catch3318]

Dude! It would be amazing to see you play To Sirius. Underrated track and drum composition.

[@Mth482]

Por mais que o tempo passe você ainda continua quebrando tudo! Se você fosse o novo baterista do Slipknot, o legado do Joey Jordison estaria sendo muito bem representado! (lute para traduzir gringo

[@Ollie_King]

Wow, flawless! 🤟

[@MikeMike-jj8nd]

omfg!!!!

[@embracehorizons]

That bell bronze is fuckin beautiful. Masterful cover.

[@Cal.lm96]

Amazing ! Would love to see you covering more gojira, trivium and so on 🤩

[@richarddantz4256]

Every one of his hits are so deliberate its almost mechanical!

[@rabbitz7740]

The kit matches Mario's setup... Nice. Great job dude!

[@ZetroDrummer]

Someone who could fill that place...

[@simonmouss8204]

Banger!

[@lastditch727]

This is an immense effort to cover this song dude. Much respect!

[@brandonfarrerabuenrostro7380]

It is always a pleasure to see and hear covers like this one Something of Terra Incognita could be insane with RUDY style!!! 🤟

[@ALLforROME]

Right on dude

[@Big_Yum]

RUDY

[@josemoyan5792]

Fireee 🔥🥁

[@darkoneronn]

So sick man ! Very great sound !! You can't be closer to the album version. Keep up the good work

[@GunDrummer]

tight

[@anthonypaquier6869]

Parfait !!!

[@diemcarl5546]

I never enjoyed Gojira except one song, but despite of that I always knew their drummer (and the rest of the band) is nuts!! Highly skilled I mean. And always a massive respect and love to Rüdi 🤘🤘 love what u do, man

[@motopolak]

I know people who are kinda in the same boat, but they enjoy "Magma" a lot. Fairly mellow album with a lot of clean vocals compared to the rest of their heavier discography (while still maintaining excellent groove feeling).

[@collinthomas6288]

so sick

[@TheAffeMaria]

Wow dude, wtf, that was so intense, precise, sexy and huge sounding!!!

[@GODElRigna]

Tight, Concise, Feel, Power, Tone. Yes. Its all there. Well done.

[@DarthWinterMadness]

That song is such a banger, thanks as usual you performed it like a boss. Cheers from France! 🍻

[@markytear]

Absolutely amazing man!!!!

SOLID!!!!

[@eurosnuke1678]

my boi got thicc around the backbone here! still one of the best to ever do it

[@josuastangl7140]

Now this is something I can confidently like before watching!

[@boringuserhandle]

Snare sounds absolutely amazing

[@mattsweeney9273]

Seen them recently with mastodon in Syracuse. So loud but sounded perfect. This brings back the memories. You're a killer

[@techtiel]

My God.. Thats insane! And what an amazing snare 🤘🏽

[@Jono_]

Dude that snare sound is LIFE

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

That was sick, man. Nice job! @2:20 💪💪

[@Nathan-pb3xv]

Alex is the goat … that s it !

[@mikelpradet6670]

Amazing cover !!!! love it so much ! thank you Alex :)

[@zach_mizzi]

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick 🤘🤘🤘

[@pitu52]

I love your drumming! And I love this song... GREAT !!!

[@mammontustado9680]

I believe this is the first time I've seen Rudi use his right hand to hit the hihat 😄

[@PhilosophicalDrummer]

I see Gojira, I click. I love playing Gojira on drums myself.

[@djabthrash]

So good

[@neutronstar6]

As always the king! Kit sounds amazing too! Tell anup we need more drum videos from him too.

[@michaelscoggin8835]

Thank you for doing this!!!! ❤❤❤❤

[@chrisdrop2264]

Nice work ! First time seeing someone play the blast beat correctly, even Mario simplify this part.

[@Alexb53.]

thank you alex! this made me want to hop on my kit and play.

[@Derrick3150]

Amazing as always 👍🏿

[@jason1888]

AWWSOME!!! Alex is amazing!

[@scottyhorey9128]

Great performance, and great production, Rudi! Cheers from Delaware.

[@mygamesrock]

Simply insane

[@quadblaster69420]

This song is so much fun to play. Mario writes great parts. Yama's Messengers is another fun one to play. Great job bro!

[@iopfarmer]

Nice en well played!

[@JakeDavisDrums]

Video!!

[@alanp03]

You amaze me Everytime. I want to see you play involuntary doppelganger by archspire.

[@fl00d69]

Savage!

[@mikegonzalez3079]

Beast mode on!!!! amazing

[@KreativeDevices]

🔥

[@novantium3760]

Anything off this album is always a good time

[@Cicada4WD]

Cool drummer that's forsure 😎

[@doublea7054]

🔥!

[@Consural]

🤘

[@hellgunj]

NICE do more Gojira songs pls 🙏🙏

[@caladan_brewed]

This is sick. I know fuckall about playing drums but I feel like you hit harder than average, even for a metal drummer, and I feel like that's why I dig this so much. 🤘

[@joshgadenne]

Excellent cover, as expected 🔥

[@orelaroki]

So sick dude, would like to see the art of dying next, also we need you hopping with keith for another conquering dystopia album!

[@flying_hussar3034]

Alex you animal!

[@DarkPhantomSky]

Epic! Sick work, gentlemen.