Hey there! My name is Flo Musil, and I’m the drummer of the Austrian Black Metal Band Theotoxin, the German Band Agrypnie, the legendary Vienna-based Death Metal Band Pungent Stench, and a few more. I just came back from European Tour with Schammasch, a Swiss avant-garde (Black) Metal Band where I also play as their tour drummer, and before that, we had a very successful European tour with my main band Theotoxin. Further, we will conquer Japan this year, with Pungent Stench, for the first time, and so on.
SDM: How old were you when you started playing?
Flo: I actually started with guitar when I was around 9 years old, but it has always drawn me to the drums. I started playing in a local Death/Black metal band when I was around 14, but as their guitarist, later, the drummer never showed up to the rehearsals, so I took the chance and got behind the kit. I always was obsessed with blast beats, and that was the first beat I practiced back then.
SDM: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Flo: Neither of them. But later, when I was 25 or so, I started and finished my studies in Jazzdrums and Guitar at a conservatory in Vienna.
SDM: Who are your top 5 metal influences?
Flo: In my youth, I was a massive Dying Fetus fan, and so it’s no secret that Kevin Talley had a massive influence on me. Further one’s are:
- Simon Schilling (this guy is not human)
- Dominator
- Eugene Ryabchenko
- John Longstreth
Belphegor – Totentanz – Dance Macabre Drum Cover
SDM: Who are some of your other favorites?
Flo: I think the 5 names above sum it up for me.
SDM: Let us know 5 bands in your current personal rotation.
Flo:
- Misotheist – For the glory of your redeemer
- Bölzer – Hero
- Disgorge (Mexico) – Chronic Corpora Infest
- (old) Deicide – Legion, Serpents of the light
- Deathspell Omega – Paracletus
SDM: What do you do to warm up before a show?
Flo: Depends; when I have a show with Pungent Stench, I do not really warm up because there are no fast blast beats or anything. With Theotoxin/ Schammasch or Agrypnie, I’ll do my finger workout on a pad and a little bit of stretching, push-ups, etc., to warm up the body.
SDM: Do you read music? Regardless of answering yes or no, please tell us how it might have affected your playing.
Flo: During my studies, I did, of course, but not so much anymore.
Flo’s Gear:
I have a TAMA Starclassic Maple/ Flat Black with a Power Tower Rack system.
TAMA Starphonic Steel 13“x7“ snare ( I’ve always played 13“ snares – love them), and Czarcie Kopyto pedals, aka the Polish Tanks.
8“, 10“, 12“ toms, 16“Floor tom, and a 22“ kick drum.
For triggers, Footblaster combined with a Roland SPD-x for the backing tracks live, but I’m switching to the Roland SPD::One Wav Pad because it’s smaller and way better for traveling.
Cymbals: Mostly Meinl and my beloved Meinl heavy hammered 22“ ride, which is the best cymbal I’ve played in years.
Sticks: Vater 5B hand-selected hickory.
SDM: If you could give one piece of advice to younger drummers, it would be…
Flo: Practice hard and effectively. Don’t overdo it. A few days’ breaks work wonders sometimes. Do a lot of drum covers and play-throughs because this helped me a lot. Do not listen to Metal only; learn from other music styles as well.
SDM: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Flo: Daniel Liljekvist, the former Katatonia drummer. They played in Vienna around 2011 or so, and it was stunning. I know, no blast beats at all, but the skill level and variations in his drumming were amazing.
SDM: Aside from drumming, what else do you like to do?
Flo: At the end of 2021, I quit my job in the social sector and decided to focus on professional drumming only, and it works for me. I am involved in a lot of side projects as a songwriter, so this takes a lot of time. Besides that, I really enjoy spending time in the mountains/nature with my dog and family.
Flo’s Links:
https://www.instagram.com/flo_theotoxin
