When drummers talk about career-defining moments, they often point to the gigs they landed. For Ray Luzier, however, one of the most memorable moments of his career came from a drum part that almost never happened. The Korn drummer spoke to Drummers Review presenter Ollie Winiberg, reflecting on a remarkable career that has spanned David Lee Roth, Army of Anyone, and nearly two decades behind the kit with one of metal’s most influential bands.
For many fans, Luzier is synonymous with Korn, but before joining the nu-metal pioneers he found himself performing alongside Robert and Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots and Richard Patrick of Filter in the short-lived supergroup Army of Anyone.
Recalling how he landed the gig, Luzier explained that a chance meeting at a Sabian event changed everything.
“I was kind of looking for a gig,” he laughed. “They came up to me afterwards and said, ‘What are you doing right now?’”
The opportunity led to the recording of Army of Anyone’s acclaimed self-titled album, including the standout track Goodbye. The song features a memorable drum passage that many drummers still discuss today. Surprisingly, the version heard on the record was the very first take.
“I played it probably 12 or 13 more times,” Luzier revealed. “They kept the first take.” It’s a philosophy that would go on to echo throughout the conversation: trust instinct, embrace imperfection and prioritise musicianship over technology. That mindset remains as relevant today as ever. When asked what advice he would give aspiring drummers, Luzier was clear about the importance of developing genuine playing ability rather than relying on studio correction tools.
“Play your instrument. Get in a garage and suck. I don’t care if it’s for five days or ten years. Play with musicians all the time.”
The conversation also explored Korn’s remarkable resurgence in recent years. Having recently completed a hugely successful South American tour, Luzier described witnessing multiple generations of fans singing every word back to the band.
“We did a 50,000-seat stadium ourselves,” he said. “There were fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, sometimes even grandparents.”
For a band approaching three decades of influence, the continued growth of its audience is something Luzier still finds surreal. “We’re all about music and family now,” he explained. “There’s no substance abuse. There’s no BS in the way. We just lean forward and we’re grateful for the fans showing up.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Luzier discussed the unique camaraderie of the drumming community, suggesting that drummers are often more supportive of one another than musicians in many other disciplines. “There was never an attitude,” he said. “The majority of drummers just want to lift each other up.”
The interview also touched on one of his most recognisable setup features: the famous centre-mounted China cymbal. Despite repeated requests from bandmates and producers to remove it, Luzier has kept the cymbal in the middle of his kit for decades.
“It’s kind of my thing,” he laughed.
As always, Luzier’s conversation with Drummers Review was packed with humour, honesty and valuable insight. Whether discussing life on the road, surviving auditions, building relationships with crew members or learning to trust first instincts in the studio, one thing remained clear: longevity in music comes from authenticity, hard work and an unwavering love of the craft.
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