Alex Belov is the drummer for Traumatomy, a Russian/Japanese death metal band from Southern Urals, Russia. The band recently released their latest album, ‘Extirpation Paradigms,’ via Gore House Productions. Alex recently sat down with Jeanne Thomas to talk about the album and to give us a bit of insight into his past experiences with drums and drumming.
First of all, Alex, thank you for joining us today!
Hello everyone, I am honored to talk with Sick Drummer Magazine and drummers who read this magazine
So Alex, what kind of music were you listening to growing up in Russia that got you interested in metal music?
Alex: It all started with Russian rock music, then my friend and I found old cassettes of his older brother on which metal music was recorded. As I remember now I was seized by a shiver from hearing the heaviness of the guitars, the most powerful bass, and machine-gun drums. From that moment metal consumed me completely… it was 1998.
What was the first concert you saw live where the drummer really blew you away?
Alex: It was Cenotaph show, their drummer then completely changed my vision of playing drums. Unfortunately, I did not manage to communicate with him then, it was 2007.
At what point in your life did you become interested in drums?
Alex: In 2002 when I was 14. I clearly decided that I wanted to be a drummer. We had a small circle of friends, we all listened to metal, then we wanted to form a band and nobody wanted to be the drummer so I said that I would be the drummer, and that was the one the moment I decided the drums were mine.
What were some of the first songs you were playing on drums?
Alex: Honestly, I don’t like playing other people’s songs, the first thing I played was the usual rhythm, though with a double pedal right away, and the very first cover was the song Cannibal Corpse “Hammer Smashed Face.”
What drummers were some of your biggest inspirations?
Alex: John Longstreth, Alex Pelletier, George Kollias, Derek Roddy, Marco Putrizzella, Trey Williams, from Russia Evgeny Novikov (Slaughter To Prevail) and Evgeny Ryabchenko.
When did you start playing extreme styles of metal on drums?
Alex: I started in 2006. I then gathered my first death metal band Visceral Disorder, which was my main band until 2017. In parallel, I played in a hardcore band. In 2017 Visceral Disorder paused and I joined Traumatomy.
Are you self-taught? and if so… how did you go about learning to play?
Alex: I am self-taught, in the beginning. I just repeated the drummers whom I saw on the recordings of shows, then I started going to the local rock bar, where I very quickly joined the crowd of musicians. There the drummer of the Disact band told me a little how to play, hold sticks, sit correctly on a chair, etc. Then I started buying instructional materials and honestly, only one thing helped me… The Derek Roddy stuff! and I still practice with it. That’s how I learned to play.
What is your standard practice routine?
Alex: Usually, I play show programs in the rehearsal room, and at home I play standard parts on a pad; RRRRLLLL with my wrist, then the same thing with my fingers. I use the heel-toe foot technique. I don’t have any practice program, I just play fractions.
While playing extreme death metal what foot technique is most comfortable for you?
Alex: I use the Heel-toe technique, with my hands, I play with my wrists, and add some fingers.
What do you do to prepare for live shows while on the road?
Alex: It is on the road that I usually drive (ahahahah). Before the performance, I knead my hands, fingers, play fractions.
When did you start playing with Traumatomy?
Alex: It was autumn 2017, Visceral Disorder and I decided to pause the band, and I immediately called Konstantin, said that he was free as a drummer and he was very happy to invite me to Traumatomy. I was also happy to join the band.
The band has a new album out called Extirpation Paradigms. How did you go about writing the drums parts on this album and in doing so what elements did you wish to incorporate into the songs?
Alex: Due to the fact that we live in different cities, the songs are programmed in Guitar Pro, where I do the parts. More mid-tempo groove, classic blast beats, and of course double bass.
Did you face any challenges while writing this album?
Alex: Yes, the speed in some moments, there are 3/4 measures, and in general the structure of the songs, the tempo changes are frequent.
How are things going in Russia as far as live shows being performed again?
Alex: Honestly, we had no problems here, if only the first 3 months. We have more for religious reasons that can disrupt shows than quarantine or any other. We skated the tour at the end of April, and for Russia, the support was very good. We were very surprised, a tour of Siberia is planned for August.
And in closing Alex what is it about drums that make it your instrument of choice?
Alex: I love the clarity in everything, the drums sound like a very clear instrument, and when I sit down at the drum kit, I begin to feel like one whole with it. It brings harmony inside me, thereby makes me happy, also attracts the deep history and greatness of the instrument
Alex ty for taking the time to do this interview with us and we wish you all the best.
Alex: Goodbye, I believe that we will meet again, and I wish the drummers success, powerful progress, and practice, practice, practice!
Alex Belov’s Gear:
Drums: Mapex QR series
Rack Tom 10″ x 7″
Rack Tom 12″ x 8″
Floor Tom 14″ x 12″
Bass Drum 22″ x 18″
Pearl Chad Smith Signature 14″ x 5″ Steel Snare Drum
Instanbul Alchemy Cymbals from Left to Right:
14″ PowerX Hi-hats
07″ Meinl Classic Bell
18″ PowerX Crash
19″ PowerX Crash
20″ PowerX Ride
18″ PowerX China
Axis Pedal with ACD Darwin Upgrades
Roland 12″ V-Kick KD-120 Trigger
Roland TM-2 module
Roland BT-1 Sample pad
Remo Heads:
Weatherking Pinstripe on toms
Weatherking Coated Ambassador on the snare
Powerstroke 3 on the bass drum
KK percussion sticks: Metal series
Alex Belov’s Links:
