Simon Phillips studio trick

I saw an old picture of Death in the studio and there were full paint cans inside the kick drums. I forget which drummer/era it was but he said that was the only time he's ever seen that technique used.
 
Interesting technique indeed, but if it was used in the samples one can hear in the video, I don't think the kick works really well in this context, it lacks a little body to my taste, anyway still cool tip to know!