Keep up with Assaf here:
I started playing the drums after I got enough money to buy my own drum kit around the age of 16. Not longer after, I started playing in a punk band with my neighborhood friends, all of us learning how to play our insturments as the band progressed. Being the complete and Devoted Metalhead that I am, it wasn’t always easy, for as I Costantly battled to make the material heavier and faster. In 2003, I finally got to play death metal, when I formed my current band-Whorecore. We self released our debut record in our homeland – Israel, and went on a tour in Europe, as support for Macabre. We recently added a new member to the band, Sven of Aborted as co-vocalist, we are already hard at work on our follow up record, hopefully you will hear more soon!
Assaf Meiden Interview:
SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?
Assaf: I got my first drumkit when i was 16,which exactly when i started to play in bands.
SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Assaf: No, I wish had,we dont really that whole marching band thing in Israel…the closet was playing some biohazard and sepultura covers on a school event : )
SD.com: Ever take any lessons?
Assaf: Took one last year…
SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?
Assaf:
Dave Culross
Hellhammer
Nicholas Barker
Trym
Gene Hoglan
SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Assaf: Far too many to mention…some of them are- Igor Cavalera, Chad Wackerman, Thomas Haake,Anders Jakobson, John Longstreth,and on and on…
SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
Assaf: Keep Of Kallesin-Armamda, Regurgitate- Sickening bliss,Psychroptic-Symbols of Failure,Gojira-The Link Alive,Doormouse-Freaked Out Mess
SD.com: Do you practice any specific rudiments or combo’s regularly?
Assaf: I usually start out each and end each session with single stroke excercises both for hands and feet, starting at comfortable and gradually moving up the tempo. Also i like alternating 4/8/12/16 storkes between both hands and legs, other then that i play along to my bands sketches to paractice to the parts that mght be more difficult for me.
SD.com: What is your favorite part of your drum kit?
Assaf: My favorite part of the drum kit is without a doubt the snare drum!! i even cant really say why, but if you’d listen to my playing you could easily see the importance of the snare drum for me….
SD.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Assaf: Try to stay in a relaxed, alert and happy mode-that’s probably more important for me than anything else, after im done with everything ill do some warm up excercises on the pad and get ready to party!
SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
Assaf: Listen to a lot of music, try to play songs you like,work your ass off,excercise reguarly and consistently,be patient- nothing comes easily,get a band together!!!
SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Assaf: Seeing (the now deceased) Lehavoth, the israeli death metal kings for the first time. that was the first time i ever saw a local band that was REALLY good, and they’re drummer (who is also my current guitar player btw hehehe) had an original and incredible style,without pushing himself beyond his limits, which is unfortunately something that a lot of drummers do.
SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what elsw would you want to do with your life?
Assaf: Probably get into video editing,which is something im going to do anyway in the near future.
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