10/07/2008 – Interview with MANTICORA

I go to know about MANTICORA when I saw that they had made an album based on "Hyperion", the first book in this series written by Dan Simmons. I bought the album and instantly fell in love with their Power Metal. Soon enough I searched for their other albums and managed to stay focused for any new material. Lars, Kristian and Mads are fans of these four books - so am I, by the way - and like many MANTICORA fans I think the band should make an album for each of the other three books. But for that they need the permission of the author, the publisher, etc... Until then, they keep on going, releasing nothing but quality Metal. You'll find reviews of all their albums in the Review section. Since MANTICORA is one of my favourite bands, I couldn't ignore them and Mads in particular for this Drum Special. Like many he might not be the most famous or best drummer, but he sure can play. Add the experience and there's another reason to interview him.

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

I started playing around 1985-86. I loved music and would like to play it. The only thing I could learn to play fast enough was drums, so I got stuck on them even though I would rather have played guitar or piano.

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

I learned mostly on my own. One of my friends got me started with some basic beats. but after a week I was so much better than him that I started teaching him. I tried to take lessons once, but it was so boring that I quit after just 3 lessons.

03. Who are your influences (other drummers)?

My favorite drummers and influences are: Charlie Benante, Dave Lombado, Lars Ulrich, Igor Cavalera, Pete Sandoval and Ian Paice.

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

The first kit I bought was in 1988. There was all kinds of brands and colours. After that, in/around 1991 I bought a Tama Rockstar.

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

I've had 3 kits: the first was a multi-coloured one, then a Tama Rockstar and now I play Tama Rockstar custom from 2003. I have a B-stick endorsement for sticks, I have a Saluda endorsement for cymbals, I have just changed skins from Remo Pinstripe to..to.. well to something else. Still Remo, but I can't remember the name. Stupid me.

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

See previous question.

07. Are you endorsed by certain brands?

Ups. gotta read ahead before I answer (see above)

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

Not very. in the studio it's nice just to feel the drums in the headphones and then have whatever kind of cue guitar the band have recorded (which can be everyting from horrible to frightning) blasting out the headphones. Live I prefer to hear parts of the band and then just the bass drums as they seem to be the only thing I can't hear on stage.

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

In the studio we mix the real bass drum and snaredrum sounds with samples, but that's it.

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

I must say that the possibility to set up the drums exactly like you want to, is the most important. I can go insane if I can't get everything placed where I want them, which is why my setup hasn't changed for 5 years.

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

My kit is not very expensive, but think it's about 40,000 Danish Kroner. which is about 8,000 Dollar.

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

Well, to tell the truth. I only practise when I play with the band. When I'm on my own I get bored within minutes. The band plays about 2-3 times a week.

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

I can hit hard and I can hit harder. :D I've never played anything else but metal, so I don't know, I don't think I'll ever find out. :D

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

If you want to be good, then you have to be a pain in the ass to everybody around you. I play on tables, chairs, everything that gets in my way, and stamp the floor, when ever I sit down, to get faster on the doubble bass drums.

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?

I don't consider myself as famous, but you can use my answers if you want to.

a) No
b) I think everything can be improved, but we can't always see how until some freak scientist comes up with something.
c) The greatest weakness is the time it takes to set up and take down a drum kit. The guy who invents a way to combine drums and stands in a better way will earn my respect (I vote for inflatable drumkits :D).

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