Dave Lombardo: The Godfather of Death Metal?
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cannibal Corpse drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz recently highlighted the profound impact Dave Lombardo, Slayer’s legendary drummer, had on his career.In a revealing interview with Pod Scum, Mazurkiewicz declared Lombardo his biggest influence, crediting him for inspiring his own ferocious drumming style. “If it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing,” Mazurkiewicz stated, “He’s the king of thrash, double bass and all that.
Mazurkiewicz’s journey into the world of extreme metal began in the mid-1980s, a pivotal era for the genre. Witnessing Lombardo’s groundbreaking drumming ignited a passion within him, shaping his musical trajectory. He cites a plethora of influential bands from that era, including heavy metal giants like Iron Maiden and Metallica, along with thrash titans Slayer, Kreator, and Death angel. These bands, Mazurkiewicz believes, laid the foundation for death metal and ultimately influenced Cannibal Corpse’s sound.
Aging Gracefully in the Metal Scene
The conversation also touched upon Mazurkiewicz’s experiences as a seasoned drummer navigating the demands of a physically demanding genre. He admits to feeling his age occasionally but emphasizes a commitment to continued growth. “I’m feeling fairly good for my age. and, Jeez, if anything, there’s a lot of times I think, ‘Man, I’m playing better than I ever have been,'” he shared.However, Mazurkiewicz acknowledges the need for adjustments and self-care as he ages. “You can’t just rely on young adrenaline and just pure fury, like you might have done when you were younger,” he explains.“You have to kind of maybe try to take care of yourself a little bit more so.”
He stresses the importance of basics like sleep, hydration, and a healthy diet, coupled with consistent practise. While acknowledging the role of genetics, he also highlights the importance of dedication and perseverance.
## The Legacy of Dave Lombardo: An Interview wiht Paul Mazurkiewicz
**Archyde:** Paul, your drumming style is undeniably ferocious. You’ve mentioned Dave Lombardo as a major influence. Could you elaborate on how his playing shaped your own?
**Paul Mazurkiewicz:** Absolutely. If it wasn’t for dave Lombardo, I probably wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing. he’s the king of thrash, double bass, and all that. Watching him play was a revelation. It ignited a passion within me,and shaped the direction of my drumming.
**Archyde:** You’ve spoken about the impact of the ’80s thrash scene on Cannibal Corpse.
What were some of the other bands, besides Slayer, that resonated with you during that era?
**Paul Mazurkiewicz:** Bands like iron Maiden, Metallica, Kreator, and Death Angel were all huge influences. They were laying the foundation for death metal, which ultimately shaped Cannibal Corpse’s sound.
**Archyde:** You’ve been a driving force in extreme metal for decades. How do you stay physically and mentally sharp as a drummer navigating a demanding genre?
**Paul Mazurkiewicz:** It’s definitely different now than it was in my younger days! I’m feeling fairly good for my age, and I think I’m actually playing better than ever. But you can’t just rely on adrenaline and pure fury like you could when you’re younger.
You have to take care of yourself a little more.
**Archyde:** What are some of the key strategies you’ve adopted as you’ve matured as a musician?
**Paul mazurkiewicz:** Sleep, hydration, a decent diet—basics like that make a huge difference. Consistent practice is also crucial.
Genetics plays a role, but dedication and perseverance are key.
**Archyde:** Do you think the physical demands of metal drumming have changed over the years, or has it always been this intense?
**Paul Mazurkiewicz:** I think it’s always been a physically demanding genre.
The intensity might vary between bands and playing styles, but there’s no denying it takes a toll.
Maybe the younger generation approaches it differently than we did back in the day. What do you think, readers? Has the physicality of metal drumming shifted with time?
## Dave Lombardo: The Godfather of Death Metal?
**Archyde Exclusive Interview with Cannibal Corpse’s Paul Mazurkiewicz**
Today, we talk to Paul Mazurkiewicz, the legendary drummer for death metal behemoths Cannibal Corpse, about his influences and the ongoing impact of one man often cited as the “Godfather of Death Metal” – Dave Lombardo
**Archyde:** Paul, you’ve consistently cited dave Lombardo as a major influence throughout your career. Can you elaborate on how his drumming impacted your style?
**Mazurkiewicz:** Absolutely. Dave Lombardo is the reason I am where I am today.Without him, I likely wouldn’t even be playing drums. He’s the king of thrash, double bass, everything. Witnessing his groundbreaking work with Slayer in the 80s was a revelation for me. It ignited a passion within me and shaped my entire musical journey. [[1](https://www.metal-hammer.de/paul-mazurkiewicz-dave-lombardo-ist-mein-groesster-einfluss-2304911/)]
**Archyde:** Slayer emerged during a pivotal time for metal – the rise of thrash. Were there othre bands from that era that also inspired you?
**Mazurkiewicz:** Oh, absolutely. The mid-80s were a golden age for metal. Bands like Iron Maiden and Metallica laid the groundwork, while thrash titans like Slayer, Kreator, and Death Angel, those guys were laying the foundation for what would become death metal.Their influence can be heard throughout Cannibal Corpse’s sound.
**Archyde:** As a drummer, you’ve been pushing boundaries in a physically demanding genre for decades.How do you stay in shape and continue evolving as a musician?
**Mazurkiewicz:** It isn’t always easy, I’ll admit. You feel your age sometimes, but I’m incredibly lucky. I feel like I’m playing better than ever actually. You have to adapt as you get older, though. You can’t just rely on youthful adrenaline and raw fury. You learn to find power and precision in different ways.
It’s about taking care of yourself, stretching, warming up, paying attention to your body. Frustrations arise when your body can’t keep up with the demands of your creativity, so taking care of yourself is essential.
