Big Fat Five: Travis Orbin's (Darkest Hour, Independent) Top 5 influential Records

This week’s guest is Travis Orbin…Travis is a progressive / metal-leaning drummer who has recorded and/or performed with Darkest Hour, Of Legends, Sky Eats Airplane, Periphery and many more heavy hitters. He’s probably the most technically proficient drummer we’ve had on the show, but he’s also one of the most creative and prolific. His setup is also very unique…often being described as a “minimalist, quasi-open-stance kit”. He’s very well-studied in his craft as both a drummer and composer, and I hope you enjoy the 5-ish records that helped shape Travis Orbin into the musician he is today. Cheers!

Dennis Chambers – Serious Moves (ft. J. Scofield, G. Grainger, J. Beard) - WATCH HERE

---

Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

🎯 Click here to order now!

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

TRAVIS' BIG FAT FIVE 👇🏻

-

Album - ...And Justice for All

Artist - Metallica

Release Year - 1988

Key Track(s) - One, The Frayed Ends of Sanity

Drummer - Lars Ulrich

-

Album - Serious Moves (VHS)

Artist - Dennis Chambers (John Scofield)

Release Year - 1992

Key Track(s) - Trim

Drummer - Dennis Chambers

-

Album - Soul Vaccination: Tower of Power Live

Artist - Tower Of Power

Release Year - 1999

Key Track(s) - Soul Vaccination, So Very Hard to Go

Drummer - David Garibaldi

-

Album - Serious Young Insects

Artist - On The Virg

Release Year - 1999

Key Track(s) - Native Metal, Alien Hip-Hop

Drummer - Virgil Donati

-

Album - Universe

Artist - Planet X

Release Year - 2000

Key Track(s) - Clonus

Drummer - Virgil Donati

-

Album - Joe's Garage

Artist - Frank Zappa

Release Year - 1979

Key Track(s) - Catholic Girls

Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices