Extreme metal drummer and gun enthusiast Steve Asheim first became known on the metal scene during the mid-eighties. By July 1987 Steve teamed up with brothers Eric and Brian Hoffman and front-man/bassist Glen Benton to create one of the world's most influential and highest selling death metal bands of our time… Deicide! Originally playing under the name Amon after the Egyptian deity, the band had recorded their first demo within a month of playing together and it wouldn't be long before the world would sit up and take notice! After two years of recording demos and playing club shows in the Tampa Bay area, Amon at the request of their then record company Roadrunner Records, changed their name to Deicide! They recorded their debut self titled album and it wasn't too long before the band would receive an incredible amount of negative press mainly because of the lyrical content on the bands albums which dealt with anti-Christian themes. The bands front-man Glen Benton would further add fuel to the fire when he branded an inverted cross into his forehead, giving everyone something to talk about. Over the years Deicide have received more than their fair share of press both good and bad. They have been banned from playing in several venues simply because their artwork was found to be offensive, and more recently music channels around the world banned the video clip for 'Homage to Satan' because the clip featured blood-splattered zombies hunting down a priest! With more than twenty years under their belts it's safe to say that the controversies surrounding the band will not be fading anytime soon! Deicide have had an inspiring, thriving career and the bands albums 'Deicide' and 'Legion' are ranked second and third as the highest selling death metal albums of that era. Twenty years after forming Deicide are showing no signs of slowing down. Earlier this year they released their ninth studio album 'Till death Do Us Part' which was the follow up to the extremely successful 'The Stench of Redemption'. "Till Death Do Us Part' pushed the extreme metal boundaries even further being their most brutal effort to date! Over the past twenty years Deicide have undergone a number of line-up changes for various reasons but have remained true to the death metal sound, themselves and most importantly their fans. Drummer Steve Asheim a Ddrum endorsee has single handedly influenced many of the extreme metal drummers we see before us today, and he has also been responsible for writing and composing most of the music in the Deicide back catalogue. Earlier this year Steve teamed up with Council of the Fallen's vocalist and guitar player Kevin Quirion, Resurrection bassist Scott Patrick and lead guitarist John Li to form a brand new extreme metal band called Order of Ennead. The band that has blended a great mixture of both Black and Death metal together will not disappoint metal fans with the release of their self titled debut album! Tracks such as 'Seeking the Prophets', 'As If A Rose I Wither' and 'Dismantling An Empire' will blow you away! Released on October 28th the self titled debut has been receiving rave reviews from across Europe and the United States and metal fans can't seem to get enough! I recently had the pleasure of catching up with the legendary skins-man Steve Asheim to discuss Order of Ennead, the debut album, the entity that is Deicide the bands recently cancelled Australian tour and much more! Why pay 'Homage to Satan' when we can pay homage to this legendary extreme metal giant... Steve Asheim! Metal Fanatix: Hi Steve, thanks so much for putting some time aside to speak with us today about what can only be described as an amazing career! How's life treating you? Steve Asheim: Well thank you very much, that's a very nice compliment. Life's been pretty good. Quite a few rough patches over the last few years but nothing i can't handle. Metal Fanatix: Firstly, I want to speak to you about your latest project Order of Ennead, the debut Cd has just been released in Europe, how has the response been thus far from those who have had a chance to hear the album. Steve Asheim: The response has been largely positive, especially in Germany; they really love the powerful, melodic approach to metal there. I think it's gonna do well in Europe; it has that kind of Euro-ness to it, if you follow me. I hope it catches on in America and everywhere of course! Metal Fanatix: Steve, there is no doubt, your die-hard fans would already be aware of Order of Ennead, but for those metal fans who don't know… tell us why you decided to put together a side project? Steve Asheim: I had just finished recording drums and rhythms for Deicide's "Till Death..." and was looking at a lot of down time. I needed to fill all of that with something constructive to do and this opportunity presented itself, so i seized it. Metal Fanatix: Being such a well known and respect artists within the metal community there is no doubt that you could have put a band together with almost anyone, what made these guys right for Order of Ennead? Steve Asheim: It was basically a formed band, council of the fallen, and Kevin was experienced at writing and recording. He had the material ready to be worked on, I pretty much just had to step in and play drums. As we got going I started helping arranging the songs a little more "completely" shall we say. It was a very easy and convenient process. They all even came right to my warehouse to practice. It was perfect. Metal Fanatix: Tell us about some of the killer tracks on the album and what they mean to you! Steve Asheim: Well, I think they're all killer, but as a whole the record was a chance for me to take a bad time and turn it into a very good and productive time. And in essence, that's what some of the lyrical material on this record is about. So there's that kind of connection for me and the material in there. It's very cool. Metal Fanatix: Steve, when it came time to hit the studio, did you approach this album in a different way to your previous work? Steve Asheim: Not really. I approach all my work seriously. I like to have a good time and laugh and joke but I like to get stuff accomplished and keep to a schedule too. Long hours, time put in... I'm all about that, man! That's how shit get's done, hard work. Metal Fanatix: Mate, I can't agree with you more! What equipment did you use on the album? Steve Asheim: Ddrum gave me a kit, a beautiful one in fact, custom shells of maple and ash. I used that of course, plus my paiste cymbals, I have an endorsement deal with them and they hook me up! My axis pedals, they're great of course, and remo drum heads, which I do not have a deal with. Plus Vater sticks whom I do have a deal with. Thanks to all of them! Metal Fanatix: There is no doubt that you're an amazing drummer and I can only imagine that with time laying down all the tracks would be becoming somewhat easier, how long did it take you to record? Steve Asheim: Thank you for that! You're right it has become easier. This time it took about six or eight hours to get all my tracks down. That's pretty much par for the course too. I've been laying my tracks down in a single day since '97 with "serpents...". Not that I'm rushing the performances, I just like to have my shit together before I show up and start running up the bill. Preparedness is the key man, lots of practice. Metal Fanatix: For the metal fans out there who are interested in checking out Order of Ennead, using only five words how would you describe the album? Steve Asheim: Heavy, fast, shredding, articulate, cohesive.
Steve Asheim: I had a hand in the concept and direction of the art for the record. We wanted something that relates the connection between man and civilization represented by the temple and vastness of knowledge and of all things greater the mankind represented by the sun and planets. There's also eight planets and the sun for a total of nine planetary bodies, which correlates to the ennead, as ennead actually means "the nine". So we tried to make as much correlation between the band concept and artwork as possible. Metal Fanatix: How about the lyrics mate, I know you have played a very large part in writing the music for so much of the Deicide stuff, did you have much involvement with the lyrics and lyrical content this time around? Steve Asheim: No, I leave the actual writing of the material to Kevin [Quirion]. I think if I wrote the stuff a lot of it would sound just like deicide music. It's better to keep the vibe different with the different writing styles of the different writers. Metal Fanatix: What are you hoping the metal fans will take away after listening to the new album? Steve Asheim: I hope they just enjoy the record for what it is. Extreme metal at its purist, according to us anyway, and that this is a band is to be taken seriously and that they'll be ready to show up at some gigs! Metal Fanatix: After working with Glen and Deicide for so many years, do you find it hard to switch gears from writing for yourself to writing and collaborating with people on other projects such as this one? Steve Asheim: No, it was actually quite effortless. In fact it's something I never gave much thought to. We just got together and started writing and recording. It felt all quite natural. Metal Fanatix: Steve, I want to talk to you about touring and life on the road… Only a few weeks back Order of Ennead were playing shows, over in the States! What future touring plans do you have with the band? Steve Asheim: We've got some plans in the works. I plan on touring as much as possible for Order of Ennead and Deicide as well. We can co-ordinate the two bands together and separately. There are plenty of days in a year to do both acts, so yeah; Order of Ennead will be touring as far and wide as possible. Metal Fanatix: Will the recording line-up be the line-up which heads out on the road? Steve Asheim: For now, no, John Li goes to NYU College and won't be able to tour unless he's out of school at the time. We've got Jack Owen from Deicide helping us out on the road in the meantime. He's doing a great job too! Metal Fanatix: Not too long back it was announced that Deicide would be touring Australia in December, but, as fast as it was announced the shows were cancelled, can you shed some light on what happened? Steve Asheim: We had some gigs lined up with a promoter down there, but according to our agent the guy was past due with his deposits and other obligations. When our agent told the guy his time had run out and he had enough of the guys runarounds, the guy went ahead and publicized the tour as if it were confirmed, trying to pressure us into keeping the tour with him or cause another public embarrassment for us if we pulled out. And that's what he did, publicized a tour he knew wasn't going to happen just to spite us and make us look stupid. Metal Fanatix: I had the pleasure of spending some time with you guys last time you were in Sydney and I loved your performance, extreme drumming is one hell of an art form! All these years on, do you still find it challenging especially in a live environment? Steve Asheim: No, in fact I find its getting easier. The more practice you get, the more accustomed to performing at that level your muscles become, the easier it gets. I think extreme drumming should be an Olympic sport! Every country can send their best metal drummers to compete on style, execution, endurance and of course listen ability. That'd rule! Metal Fanatix: I would love to see that, maybe we need to start the Heavy Metal Olympics [laughs]! Tell us, what has been your most embarrassing onstage moment? Steve Asheim: A couple times over the years, not often, literally two or three times in eighteen years, Glen will call out a song and I'll start the wrong song or just draw a total blank on how a song starts. Just brain-fart type stuff! Stupid and embarrassing, but funny!
Steve Asheim: We will definitely be back to Australia. We hope to nail something down in April or May with Deicide or Order of Ennead or both! And many thanks to the Aussie fans for their understanding and support! Metal Fanatix: What fond memories come to mind when you look back on the last Australian tour? Steve Asheim: The last Australian tour was great! We hadn't been down there since 94', the shows were all packed, the crowds were amazing, and man it was just a blast. Good people, good times, good metal, good weed, good parties...I could go on! Metal Fanatix: Besides a few beers do you do anything specific to warm up and prepare for a show? Steve Asheim: [Laughs] Actually no, I don't really drink before shows; it takes a little bit of wind out of my sails, but I like to get my weed on! That elevates my brain to the next level! I do warm ups with my sticks, just to loosen up some before the show. Metal Fanatix: Can you remember the hardest time you ever had as an opening act? Steve Asheim: Honestly, I can't think of one. We really just show up and do what we have to do, play and get out of the way for the next band. That's what I do anyway; I don't let problems bother me. I just do what I have to do! Metal Fanatix: Over the years you have played with the biggest names in metal, is there one band you would love to hit the road with but have just never had the chance to do so? Steve Asheim: It's nice to think you can tour with this band or that band, but at this point I don't really have a wish list, I'm just happy to get out on the road and tour, period! Metal Fanatix: Mate, there is no doubt that with every new album you release it must make it a million times harder to write up the perfect set-list. I mean you will always have fans who want to hear the old stuff and occasional obscure songs and as we all know, it's a must to play and promote your latest songs! How do you come up with a set list that pleases everyone, including yourselves who night after night get onstage and belt them out! Steve Asheim: I think it's more important to make the fans happy rather than ourselves onstage! I don't have to complain about anything, they're all my songs, so I enjoy playing them. I understand that there are some bands that say... "Oh gosh, I have been playing these songs for so many years, I can't take it anymore". You can't turn your back on your fans that want to hear those songs and ram a bunch of crap down there throat which they don't care about; trying to ditch the classics out of your set is always going to be a big mistake! As for the rest of the set… lots of oldies, throw in every title track and sprinkle in your best new ones and creating a list with a proper flow. Opening with the right song, close with the right song and making sure that the middle of the set isn't tired and making sure your fans don't get burnt, keep throwing hits at them! Metal Fanatix: Steve, now that the new Order of Ennead album has been released, what are the bands future plans, can we expect to see another album in the future, full scale tour? What vision do you have for the band? Steve Asheim: We plan to tour as much as we can as I said earlier and we have a three record deal. The first of which is the debut and we have the second record written and demoed already, so the follow up is ready to go whenever the record company says they want it. And then more touring after that for sure! Metal Fanatix: Awesome news dude! Mate, we have hit the part of the interview where our readers want to find out more about the real you… who was the first band you saw live and how much of an impact did that have on you musically? Steve Asheim: My first big concert was Ozzy on the 'Bark at the Moon' tour and later that year Dio on the 'Last In Line' tour. What got me was the size of the events and how it seemed to be just a giant lawless zone with the best bands in the world as your entertainment. It was the coolest thing I'd ever seen and it further cemented my desire to pursue music as a career.
Steve Asheim: They've always been supportive, especially once they knew total strangers would freak out when they told them their kid is the drummer for Deicide. They would get the biggest kick out of that, especially if their friends were around to hear it. Metal Fanatix: Tell us about your life, growing up, were you the "Weird long-haired Kid" at school, can you pin point the moment you knew you wanted to be a drummer? Steve Asheim: There was definitely some of that, but I'd become so used to it... it didn't phase me much. I preferred being a loner anyway. I had already been drumming for a year or two, but the moment I knew I wanted to drum for a living was when I saw Iron Maiden's "Run to the Hills" video. I was twelve years old at the time and saw Clive Burr wailing away on that big white kit, driving on those hi-hats and toms and smashing those big crashes and chinas. I was hooked man! Metal Fanatix: If you woke up tomorrow and decided you never wanted to sit behind a kit again, what would you be doing? Steve Asheim: I don't know; sit behind a piano or guitar. Or join the marines... I think I'm too old for that though? Metal Fanatix: What is the one metal song you wish you had written? Steve Asheim: That's easy...the one that has made the most money! Metal Fanatix: [Laughs] That's got to be the best answer I've ever had to that question [laughs]. With a career spanning a little over twenty years… what motivates you to keep making music? Steve Asheim: Really... it's just the desire to keep doing what i do. I enjoy every aspect of it. Writing, recording, touring, press, parties, groupies, strippers, porn stars...it's fucking great! Metal Fanatix: Steve there is no doubt I am a huge fan of your work from those earliest Deicide albums right up 'Till Death Do Us Part' which was released a few months back, from all the albums you have recorded, what one would be your favorite to listen to and why? Is it even possible to narrow it down? Steve Asheim: It is hard to narrow down. I guess I enjoy the one I most recently finished. It's always my latest creations at my most recent skill level, and it gives me something to build off of for next time. Metal Fanatix: I want to take you back to 1987 and the birth of Deicide! What comes to mind when you look back on those early days of the bands formation? Steve Asheim: What comes to mind quickest are the actual physical places where we did our thing, those early rehearsal spots and the old sunset club. Those early sites, sounds, and smells! Metal Fanatix: Did you ever imagine that the band would become as big as you have? Steve Asheim: No, in fact, i still don't think i can really appreciate just how big we are now. In fact just saying now that we're "big" seems a little presumptuous to me. I would think, and still do, that we really need to get better and step it up and do this and that better. It's like I can't see the forest through the trees, but even knowing that, I still can't separate myself from it enough to do so. Metal Fanatix: How about now mate, looking back twenty years ago, did you ever imagine that you would still be behind a kit, making music and touring the world? Steve Asheim: I never ever thought that far ahead. In the midst of it you are just worrying about the next tour happening or getting the next record together, you're really only looking six months ahead the whole time, for twenty years. When I was younger trying to imagine where I would be when I was forty years old, I never would have imagined that I'd still be doing this kind of thing and would have been for twenty years straight... no I never seen this coming! I had hoped but realistically, no! Metal Fanatix: There has been so many highlights in your career, what would you say have been your greatest achievements to date? Steve Asheim: It's weird because a lot lately I just think about all the disasters. But I think the highlights are the signings. To know there's a label out there that wants your material, and that they're waiting to get your stuff and put it out to the world, or the "territory of the universe" as they put in the contracts. I get a kick out of that. And also the biggest gigs we've been a part of like the Bussan fest in South Korea with 30,000 fans going nuts and 20ft flames shooting all over the place… that shit's crazy, man! Metal Fanatix: Steve, there is no doubt that you have helped influence a whole generation of rock and metal artists, who have you been surprised to learn is a fan of your work? Steve Asheim: I haven't heard of one that surprised me yet. I don't know, Ice-T I guess. I heard he loves 'Legion', so that was cool. Plus the Slipknot guys make a big deal about us. Some other Hollywood guys, Nic Cage and Jim Carrey are big time metal heads I hear. I also dig when I hear political or military families kids are into Deicide or extreme metal in general. The thought of having the stuff blasting in the white house or some palace or military base or forward outpost is cool. You know you're really reaching people then. Metal Fanatix: Let's talk about rumours… Deicide have certainly had more than a fair share of negative press over the years, one of the most insane rumors I had ever heard pertaining to Deicide was that if any women backstage wanted to sleep with Glen, first, they had to have an inverted cross burnt into their forehead! What is the craziest rumour you have ever heard about yourself and or the band? Steve Asheim: Honestly man, I haven't heard any rumors that come anywhere near to as far out as stuff I've actually seen happen, most of which I can't really go into of course. Metal Fanatix: All these years on does it bother you that you guys get so much negative press, when the media could certainly spend more time talking positively about the music? Steve Asheim: [Laughs] If it's one thing I've learned about media is negative will always outsell the positive. And it'd sure be nice to have less negative press but man, we've had so much of it that I've become used to it and immune to it almost. It's better than no press I guess. Metal Fanatix: There is no doubt that there are some amazingly talented drummers currently doing the rounds, have any of these younger guys caught your attention?
Metal Fanatix: [Laughs] It sure does mate! Steve, I know you are really busy so I will leave you with one final question in regards to drumming! These days it seems that most drummers are trying to outdo each other by seeing who can play the fastest, which can do this or do that better than those who have stood before and so forth, there doesn't seem to be too much originality anymore! What is the best advice you could give drummers who are trying to come up with their own unique styles in an age where so much has already been done? Steve Asheim: I would say just really listen to your own playing and refine it until it sounds like you hear it in your head. That will help you develop your own style. Metal Fanatix: Lastly mate, what's the one band that you never want to hear again and why? Steve Asheim: Oh man, I don't know… I never ever want to hear anything from Boy George ever again! I'll stay clear of that stuff! Metal Fanatix: Steve I want to thank you again for your time today, it's been a true pleasure. I with you the best of luck with Order of Ennead and hope to see you back in Oz soon! Do you have any last words for our readers? Steve Asheim: Well, thank you and the fans for your interest and support and I hope to see you all down under for some Deicide/ Order of Ennead gigs as soon as possible! To keep up with all the latest news & much more on Steve Asheim & any of the bands he works with check out the following websites: http://www.myspace.com/theofficialdeicidemyspacepage - Deicide MySpace Site http://www.myspace.com/orderofennead - Order of Ennead MySpace Site © Cameron Edney November 2008, November 2011 Not to be re-printed in any form without written permission. |
