My name is Brandin Henize and I have been drumming for about 17 years! I started in my first serious band in Hell Scorched Earth, and also played with the band Siren before joining my current project Summoner’s Circle in 2019.
I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of some incredible tours, including my debut with Summoner’s Circle on Children of Bodom’s Hexed tour (with Wolfheart and Swallow the Sun) across North America (including Canada and the USA).
I most recently had the pleasure of doing a huge European Tour with Summoner’s Circle supporting Batushka and Hate, along with Paradise in Flames, which was a huge stepping stone for the band. Hope to see fans of Summoner’s Circle out on the road soon!
Brandin’s Links:
https://linktr.ee/SummonersCircle
Brandin Henize Interview:
SDM: How old were you when you started playing?
Brandin: I have a terrible memory, so I need to use random events to help me remember. I started playing drums the same year Metallica was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which would have put me around 15 years old!
SDM: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Brandin: Nope! We can thank the game “Rock Band” for kick-starting my interest in drumming!
SDM: Who are your top 5 metal influences?
Brandin: These are always incredibly difficult but I’d have to say The Black Dahlia Murder, Dimmu Borgir, Children of Bodom, All Shall Perish, and
SDM: Who are some of your other favorites?
Brandin: The Faceless, All That Remains, Borknagar, Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Helloween, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Mayhem, Dark Funeral, Amon Amarth, Nightwish, Gojira, Mgla, Hate, Batushka, Job For A Cowboy, Moonlight Haze, Epica, Ne Obliviscaris, Devin Townshend, Elvenking, Inferi
SDM: Let us know 5 bands in your current personal rotation.
Brandin: Uada, Watain, TWRP, Orden Ogan, Unleash The Archers, The Zenith Passage
SDM: What do you do to warm up before a show?
Brandin: I am still trying to perfect this, but if time/space allows I try to sit down and do 8th/16th notes on a practice pad (both hands and feet) from 170 bpm to about 225 bpm, incrementing about 10 bpm every ~4 minutes, for a total of about ~20 minutes.
SDM: Do you read music? Regardless of answering yes or no, please tell us how it might have affected your playing.
Brandin: I can read guitar tabs, but that’s about it! I am not a “technically” inclined drummer. I try to learn what techniques I can from others and I use my ears more than my eyes.
SDM: Can you tell us about the gear you use?
Brandin:
Tama Starclassic Performer Walnut
10, 12, 14, 16″ Toms
(2) 22″ Kick
13″ x 7″ Tama SLP G-Maple Snare
Axis A Longboard Pedals
Evans G2/Evans G1– Toms
Evans Emad2 – Kick
Cymbals
Sabian 14″ AAX Stage Hats
Sabian 08″ AAX Splash
Sabian 10″ Chopper
Sabian 19″ AA Holy China (Chad Smith signature)
Sabian 16″ AAX X-Plosion Crash
Sabian 17″ HHX X-Plosion Crash
Meinl 22″ Mega Bell Soundcaster Ride
Electronics
Roland TM-2 Module
Footblaster/Ontrigger/Roland triggers (Not all at once, of course)
SDM: If you could give one piece of advice to younger drummers, it would be…
Brandin: Play because you like playing and not because you won’t make money. Be realistic but push yourself to always improve. Also, PRACTICE WITH A METRONOME.
SDM: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Brandin: Shannon Lucas put on phenomenal performances every time I had the pleasure of seeing him play. Most recently, after touring with Batushka, Hate, and Paradise in Flames, Daniel Ratowski (Hate) plays some of the fastest stuff I have seen and he does it with such ease! Incredible drummer.
SDM: Aside from drumming, what else do you like to do?
Brandin: I enjoy gaming, trying new foods, traveling and having new experiences. Always looking for new things to try!
