Thomas Lang
Thomas Lang (born 5 August 1967) is an Austrian drummer. He is the founding member of the Los Angeles–based progressive/avant garde metal band stOrk and is known for his international session work on a wide variety of genres such as rock, pop, jazz, and heavy metal with artists such as Robert Fripp, and Sugababes, among many others. Peter Wildoer described Lang as a "drummer's drummer", and Mike Portnoy cited Lang as a drummer he "can't replicate".
Thomas Lang

Ritchey · Public domain
- Name
- Thomas Lang
- Born
- 5 August 1967
- Birthplace
- Vienna, Austria
- Occupation
- Musician
- Spouse
- Elizabeth Lang (married 2002-2023)
- Nationality
- Austria
- Fields
- percussion instrument · music industry · music
- Languages
- German
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Documentary summary
Thomas Lang (born 5 August 1967) is an Austrian drummer. He is the founding member of the Los Angeles–based progressive/avant garde metal band stOrk and is known for his international session work on a wide variety of genres such as rock, pop, jazz, and heavy metal with artists such as Robert Fripp, and Sugababes, among many others. Peter Wildoer described Lang as a "drummer's drummer", and Mike Portnoy cited Lang as a drummer he "can't replicate".
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Note VALÉORINE
Thomas Lang (born 1967) is a composer, drummer and guitarist, among other activities, of Austrian nationality. The composer was born in Vienna. Activity centred on music, music industry and percussion instrument.
The work spans instrumental rock. Languages used include German.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 01 October 2026
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Authority files
gnd · 1065165218 · wikidata · Q89386 · wikipedia · Thomas Lang
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Thomas Lang • Landscape — yes • Born — 5 August 1967 • Birthplace — Vienna, Austria • Genre — Instrumental rock, pop, jazz fusion, progressive rock, heavy metal, avant-garde metal • Occupation — Musician • Instrument — Drums • Years Active — 1985–present • Spouse — Elizabeth Lang (married 2002-2023)
Biography
Biography
Thomas Lang, a native of Stockerau, Austria took up drumming at the age of 5. In addition to lessons at local music schools and years of private tuition, he was classically trained at the Vienna Conservatory of Music. After leaving the conservatory in 1985, Lang began working professionally, working his way through the European pop, rock and jazz scenes. After leaving Vienna for London, England in 1990 Thomas started working his way through the global music scene. As a session musician he has played for artists such as Paul Gilbert (Racer X/Mr. Big) John Wetton (Asia/King Crimson), Nik Kershaw, Sugababes, Geri Halliwell, Ronan Keating, Steve Hackett, 911, Boyzone, Falco, Nina Hagen, Bill Liesegang, Steve Jones, the Commodores, George Michael, Doogie White, B*Witched, Gianna Nannini, Lighthouse Family, Westlife, the Blockheads, Sertab Erener, Schwarzenator, Vinnie Valentino, Page Hamilton, Marc Bonilla (Montrose), Greg Howe, Jens Lindemann, Vienna Art Orchestra, Bonnie Tyler and Nadine Beiler. In 1995, Lang released his debut solo project, Mediator, which garnered positive reviews under its original release with Koch Records. The record was released by Muso Entertainment Records in 2005 without Lang's cover of Frank Zappa's "Black Page." He has since released multiple solo albums and collaborations including Save The Robots, Something Along Those Lines (2002), Yumaflex (2008), StOrk (2009), StOrk "Broken Pieces" (2013), Robo Sapiens (2018) and Progpop (2019).
Educator and author
Solo performer and clinician
Solo performer and clinician
In 2004, Lang completed the largest drum clinic tour the world had ever seen (220 clinics in 48 countries). Lang has appeared multiple times at the most prestigious drum festivals on the planet over the past 20 years, including the Modern Drummer Festival, Australia's Ultimate Drummer's Weekend, PASIC, DRUM Night, Laguna Beach Drum Fest, La Roja Drum Festival, The Meinl Drum Festival, The Ultimate Drum Experience, Seoul Drum Fest, Sacheon Drum Fest, Opole Drum Festival.
2018 equipment
2018 equipment
"My signature sticks – since I've had those I've felt really comfortable with my playing – that's one less worry. I really feel that they are perfect for me and my style of playing. Also, my signature cymbals – a lot of signature products are basically tools that make playing easier for me as well as more enjoyable." Thomas has been an endorser of DW Drums since 2009. He uses Meinl Cymbals, including his own signature Fast Hi Hats, Generation X Filter Chinas, Custom Classics Super Stack and an array of Generation X crash cymbals. He has a Vic Firth signature drumstick. He also endorses Remo drumheads, Roland V-Drums & Electronics, Ahead Armour Cases, Puresound Snare Wires, Audix Microphones, Hansenfutz practice pedals, Drumtacs mufflers and Tuner Fish lug locks.
Drums
Drums
Drum Workshop Maple Mahogany in Solid Black Lacquer Custom finish with Black Nickel hardware and LUX leather bass drum hoops. • 1× 24″ × 14″ Bass Drum • 1× 20″ × 16″ Gong Drum • 1× 14″ × 14″ Snom • 1× 10″ × 5″ 10+6 Maple Snare Drum on STM Suspension Mount • 1× 12″ × 6.5″ Snare Drum • 1× 10″ × 5,5″ MT1055 Snare Drum • 4x 6" Maple Rata Toms (sometimes substituted for Design Series Piccolo Toms)
Hardware
Hardware
• 1× MCD Double Bass Drum Pedal • 2× MCD Hi Hat (no legs) • 1× 5000 series Snare Drum Stand • 4× 9000 series Boom Cymbal Stands • 1× 9000 series Drum Throne with 15" seat • 1× X Hat with clamp • 2× Boom cymbal holders & Multi Clamps • 1× Meinl 18" Percussion Table • 1× TL Custom DW Rata Tom/Pedal rack • 1x DWSM2141X Hi Hat to Bass Drum Clamp
Drumheads
Drumheads
• Remo Emperor Clear on Snare Drums & Snom • Remo Powerstroke 3 Clear on Bass Drum • Remo Emperor Clear or CS Dot Clear on Rata Toms • DW Coated Clear on Gong Drum
Identity
Identity
Thomas Lang is recorded with the occupation record producer. Recorded with the occupation jazz musician. Classed in the genre instrumental rock. Recorded as jazz musician, screenwriter, songwriter, record producer and guitarist.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
1967
Thomas Lang was born on 5 August 1967.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Thomas Lang was born in Vienna.
Birthplace
Vienna.
Birth place
Influences
Lang cites Neil Peart, Ian Paice, Stewart Copeland, Vinnie Colaiuta, Tony Williams, Ringo Starr, Buddy Rich, John Bonham, Phil Rudd, Alphonse Mouzon, Lenny White, Billy Cobham, Peter Erskine, Omar Hakim, Max Roach, Jack DeJohnette as some of his major influences.
Selected discography
• Willi Langer – Colours of the Octopus (1993) • Willi Langer – Signs of Life • Thomas Lang – Mediator (1995) • Billy Liesegang – No Strings Attached (1996) • John Wetton – Live at the Progfest L.A. (1997) • John Wetton – Arkangel (1997) • John Wetton – Live in Tokyo (1998) • B*Witched – Jump Up Jump Down Live (2000) • Vienna Art Orchestra – Songs and other Adventures • Vienna Art Orchestra – Art and Fun(2002) • John Wetton – Live in Argentina (2003) • Thomas Lang – Creative Control (2003) • Thomas Lang – Creative Coordination (2006) • Thomas Lang – Something Along Those Lines (2007) • Thomas Lang/Conrad Schrenk – Yumaflex (2008) • stOrk – stOrk (2009) • Paul Gilbert – Vibrato (2012) • stOrk – Broken Pieces (2014) • Bastian – Among My Giants (2015) • Eric Gillette – The Great Unknown (2016) • Paul Gilbert – I Can Destroy (2016) • Theo van Niel Jr. – Practised Bravado (2017) • Ostura – The Room (2018) • Arch Matheos – Winter Ethereal (2019) • Thomas Lang – ProgPop (2019) • Chris Turner – Triggered (2022) • Nick Johnston – Child of Bliss (2023)
Primary material
Documents and archives
authority file
- Gemeinsame Normdatei 1065165218, Thomas Lang (Firma).
General reference · Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
reference work
- “Thomas Lang”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q89386: Thomas Lang
General reference · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Blabbermouth.net. DARKANE's PETER WILDOER Talks About Auditioning For DREAM THEATER. 2 May 2011.
- 2.Bosso, Joe. Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy answers your questions. MusicRadar. 23 June 2010.
- 3.Thomaslangdrumcamp.com. Thomas Lang.
- 4.Hudson Music – Instructional Video and Book Lessons for Drums, Bass, Guitar and other instruments. www.hudsonmusic.com.
- 5.Dream Theater Unveils Identities of Seven Drummers That Auditioned to Replace Mike Portnoy. Bwww.blabbermouth.net. 25 April 2011.
- 6.Thomas Lang's Drum Universe. www.thomaslangsdrumuniverse.com.
- 7.Thomas Lang Interview. thedrumninja.com. March 2010.
- 8.Mitchell, Sean. Thomas Lang. theblackpage.net. 22 May 2015.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
authority file
Gemeinsame Normdatei 1065165218, Thomas Lang (Firma).Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witnessauthority record
General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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