02/05/2008 – Interview with AMON AMARTH

AMON AMARTH is one of the leading Melodic Death Metal bands around, being active since more than ten years. Many times in interviews it's Johan Hegg (vocalist) who does the answering about the band, the albums, etc... but this time I wanted to know something about Fredik and his drumming. So no album questions, no band stuff, just insight about the instrumentation.

01. When did you start playing the drums and what triggered that desire?

I started sometime around '91-'92. I was originally a guitar player, but when my first band disbanded I started a new band where I played drums. The first reason was that I thought it was more fun. It was also a matter of control for me; I wrote all music on guitar at first and told the guitar players what to play. That way I had full control on the songs. Later on of course the guitar players developed and got better than me and I eventually stopped writing songs. Still pick up the guitar, though, every once in a while.

02. How did you learn to drum: on your own or by taking lessons?

On my own. Back then Death Metal was all about defying the rules and to be schooled was frowned upon. In last couple of years I have realized though that it's actually very helpful and I recommend anyone to at least take a few lessons.

03. Who are your influences (other drummers)?

When I started Adrian Erlandsson was a big influence, also because AT THE GATES was my favorite band. Other drummers that influenced me are Lars Ulrich, Nicke Andersson, Pete Sandoval and Tom Hunting. Lately I've been influenced by Per Möller Jensen and Van Williams to name a few.

04. When did you buy/get your first kit? Which brand/model was it?

My first kit I bought around '93 maybe, I don't even know what brand it was. My first 'real' kit was a Pearl Export that I got in '95 or '96.

05. How many kits have you had over the years?

Including my newest Pearl kit, 4.

06. Which kit(s) do you have now? (brand, model, skins, cymbals, hardware, ...)

I still have that old Pearl Export, a brand new Pearl Masterworks and a Sonor Force 2005. I play Meinl cymbals, Vic Firth drumsticks and Yamaha pedals. Various drum heads.

07. Are you endorsed by certain brands?

Pearl, Meinl and Vic Firth.

08. How important is it for you to have a realistic drumsound when recording or performing live?

It is very important to me. I play better when the drums sound nice and it's also more fun to play.

09. Do you use triggers? Why (not)? If so, in which situations?

Of course in studio the kickdrums are always triggered, I haven't heard any professional studio recording in the last ten years without triggered kicks. By triggers in this sense though, I mean that the kicks are usually replaced by an acoustic recording. Live I've been using Alesis trigger unit mostly for convenience and to ensure that the soundguy will get a good kick sound that can be heard. Our new soundguy, though, has made me reconsider and I might not be using them live for long, we'll see. To me it doesn't matter, really, I play the same on the drums either way.

10. What makes a drumkit a good drumkit, in general or for the style you play? (material, setup, portability/movability, ...)

New and good drumheads and that you're able to tune the drums. I can still make my old Pearl Export sounds excellent if I put some time on the tuning.

11. How much money can a professional kit like you use in studios or on stage cost? (rough estimation, despite different setups)

Between 5000-10000 Euro.

12. How often do you practise? Do you then also try new things or just maintain what you're already capable of?

I've been very bad at practising in general. I usually only played drums when there was band rehearsal and then only the songs that we needed to practice. Last couple of years I've been getting better and try to play for 1-2 hours at least 4-5 days a week. I mainly practice endurance, timing and some rudiment exercises.

13. Do you stick to a certain style or can you play different styles?

Only Metal for me.

14. Any advice you have for starting drummers? Or something you'd like to share in general?

The most important as I see it, to make sure you don't get problems later on in life. (Especially in extreme drumming) Is that you take it nice and slow without rushing it. Many young drummers concentrate on the speed only and with a faulty technique that can be even dangerous. You should always be able to play relaxed without straining yourself. If you're not, then you're playing too fast.

15. For the 'famous'/very experienced drummers specifically:
a) Do you believe drums and drumming will evolve during the next five or ten years?
b) Do you believe instruments have reached a level where it will become stale or can it still be improved greatly?
c) What are the greatest weaknesses of drum kits now and what needs to be improved to reach a better sound or to facilitate the task of playing drums for you?

a) Yes I believe it will always evolve.
b) There are many things that can be improved!
c) It's hard for me to say, but in general drums have pretty much looked the same the last 50 or so years even if they of course have evolved. I think we will see more technical tools for playing extreme drumming and the demand for new sounds to incorporate in the music to prevent stagnation in the scene.

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