What Is This? Technique | Placement

Not really sure where I should put this kind of thread to be honest! - So I'm trying here!


Anyway, I've been wondering for a few months now, trying to figure out what is going on in this song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S2QJ-HDDFo

Mostly, I'm trying to figure out whats happening from the start, till it changes.
To my very untrained ears, it sounds like .. pick, hammer on, 3 times, then back to the picked note - But I have no idea where it's played, what tuning it is, or anything.

So I seek out to you guys, who hopefully have better ears than I do!

What's going on in this awesome song?!

-- Zaek

Introduction

I'm Zaek. I'm quite possible a 21 year old constantly-sleep-deprived workoholic.

Realised I had to start playing guitar after hearing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-qxeC-QOsM - And well, Jason Becker. (Slightly over a year ago) Oh, and Buckethead.

I'm playing a Ibanez GR....G 170DX, and have a Fender Mustang III. So, my gear arsenal is quite small, but I get most of the sounds I want from the mustang <3

I try to play anything from blues, stonerrock, heavy metal to neo-classical.

Well, hi. :-)