Malevolent Creation has been around for 20 years, each year bringing the band more acclaim
in the world of brutal fucking death metal. The band is ready to unleash their most extreme
10th studio album to date, Doomsday X. Although Malevolent Creation has been through
several lineup changes in the past, the current lineup is classic with: Brett Hoffman - Vocals,
Jon Rubin and Phil Fasciana - Guitars, Jason Blachowicz - Bass and Dave Culross on drums.
Doomsday X hits shelves July 17th, August 24th in Europe.
Thanks to drummer Dave Culross, for sharing the latest Malevolent Creation news and giving
us insight into his legendary intense drumming career of over 15 years.
in the world of brutal fucking death metal. The band is ready to unleash their most extreme
10th studio album to date, Doomsday X. Although Malevolent Creation has been through
several lineup changes in the past, the current lineup is classic with: Brett Hoffman - Vocals,
Jon Rubin and Phil Fasciana - Guitars, Jason Blachowicz - Bass and Dave Culross on drums.
Doomsday X hits shelves July 17th, August 24th in Europe.
Thanks to drummer Dave Culross, for sharing the latest Malevolent Creation news and giving
us insight into his legendary intense drumming career of over 15 years.
| Interview with Dave Culross By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: Greetings Dave, It’s great to have
this opportunity to chat with you. How are you and
things in New York?
this opportunity to chat with you. How are you and
things in New York?
Dave Culross: Things are going fine, thanks! New
York has been safe...
York has been safe...
Blissfulviolet: I know you have been involved with
many other bands, such as Incantation, Hate Plow
and Suffocation to name a few, could you tell me a
little about yourself for those who might not be
familiar with your killer drum work?
many other bands, such as Incantation, Hate Plow
and Suffocation to name a few, could you tell me a
little about yourself for those who might not be
familiar with your killer drum work?
Dave: I am a drummer who likes to play drums. I
don't care too much about labels (like being a
metalhead, or a sell out, or a wigger, etc.). I just
want to play because I love playing! I have been
playing for 25 years, and I am still playing new
things, everyday! I will do studio/session drumming
for any band I like. I don't play just for the money,
but, I don't come cheap either!!!
don't care too much about labels (like being a
metalhead, or a sell out, or a wigger, etc.). I just
want to play because I love playing! I have been
playing for 25 years, and I am still playing new
things, everyday! I will do studio/session drumming
for any band I like. I don't play just for the money,
but, I don't come cheap either!!!
Blissfulviolet: Wow 25 years, that’s awesome. You started jamming as a child. What inspired you to
become a drummer and what memories do you have on getting your first drum set?
become a drummer and what memories do you have on getting your first drum set?
Dave: My first drumming inspiration was the drum line at a parade. I was taken by the sound... the
power, the control, the unicen. My first drumset was a Tama Swingstar. It was a 5 piece. I was 12 when I
got it. I paid for it, myself.
power, the control, the unicen. My first drumset was a Tama Swingstar. It was a 5 piece. I was 12 when I
got it. I paid for it, myself.
Blissfulviolet: Killer…So what’s the story behind Malevolent Creation’s upcoming release, Doomsday
X? Are you set for its release in July?
X? Are you set for its release in July?
Dave: Yes, I can't wait for it to come out! It went together in the studio pretty quick, so it has a very cool
vibe on it. You can really hear the intensity!
vibe on it. You can really hear the intensity!
Blissfulviolet: I read that this particular release is going to be Malevolent Creation’s most diverse and
fastest release up to date; do you agree?
fastest release up to date; do you agree?
Dave: Yes, I agree with both. I know I was playing faster than any Malevolent record I've done in the
past, and the variety of beats, riffs, and vocal patterns definitely covers the many years of subtle
changes we've gone through. All in all, it remains heavy as fuck, though, sticking to our roots.
past, and the variety of beats, riffs, and vocal patterns definitely covers the many years of subtle
changes we've gone through. All in all, it remains heavy as fuck, though, sticking to our roots.
Blissfulviolet: How did the Doomsday X recording process go? Any highlights you wish to comment
on?
on?
Dave: It went rather well. I tracked my drums first (which is usually the order). The initial sounds I was
getting were really powerful, and full of tone. The snare, in particular, sounds huge! There was NO fixing
or doctoring any of my tracks. What you hear is the exact way I played it, no computer tricks to make me
sound faster, or cleaner. If I played a little shaky, you'll hear it.
getting were really powerful, and full of tone. The snare, in particular, sounds huge! There was NO fixing
or doctoring any of my tracks. What you hear is the exact way I played it, no computer tricks to make me
sound faster, or cleaner. If I played a little shaky, you'll hear it.
Blissfulviolet: That’s good to hear, I know lots of bands
fuck with their sound in the studio. So what is your opinion
on the use of drum machines, effects etc..?
fuck with their sound in the studio. So what is your opinion
on the use of drum machines, effects etc..?
Dave: If a drummer can't do what they want to do clean,
and all of this editing has to occur, then why not use a drum
machine. It could save a band a lot of time in the studio. I
know guitarists who wouldn't be playing if they didn't have a
drum machine, because there are no good drummers near
them. If you mean the use of sound replacements, or
triggers, I don't see the need for them if you can play solid.
Triggers on the kicks are understandable, because you are
trying to make two drums identical sounding, which tends to
be impossible.
and all of this editing has to occur, then why not use a drum
machine. It could save a band a lot of time in the studio. I
know guitarists who wouldn't be playing if they didn't have a
drum machine, because there are no good drummers near
them. If you mean the use of sound replacements, or
triggers, I don't see the need for them if you can play solid.
Triggers on the kicks are understandable, because you are
trying to make two drums identical sounding, which tends to
be impossible.
Blissfulviolet: Now back to Doomsday X…Is this a concept
album?
album?
Dave: No. It is simply our 10th album, hence the Roman Numeral, "X". The Doomsday part is just a
symbol of our music crushing everything.
symbol of our music crushing everything.
Blissfulviolet: Congrats on the bands 10th release. So what's next for Malevolent Creation?
Dave: Touring. We will be doing a lot of touring to support this album, since it's so strong. We want to
sell a shit load of copies, and make this our biggest one!
sell a shit load of copies, and make this our biggest one!
Blissfulviolet: I’m sure the album will do great. I got to check out some of the studio footage on
sickdrummer.com and it looks and sounds like Doomsday X is going to be killer. Speaking of
sickdrummer.com, I just found out that you are now part of their staff and will have your own column.
Give me some details.
sickdrummer.com and it looks and sounds like Doomsday X is going to be killer. Speaking of
sickdrummer.com, I just found out that you are now part of their staff and will have your own column.
Give me some details.
Dave: I was asked to do a column that will help answer questions drummers often have when playing
extreme metal, be it speed, endurance, technique, warm up routines, exercises, etc. I am going to try
and cover all topics and questions asked.
extreme metal, be it speed, endurance, technique, warm up routines, exercises, etc. I am going to try
and cover all topics and questions asked.
Blissfulviolet: You are obviously always busy, other than Malevolent Creation, what other bands are
you currently working with?
you currently working with?
Dave: I jam two days a week with Chris Basile (Pyrexia), and Steve Seigerman (Welt, Ironlung, Social
Disease). We have been playing some progressive fusion/metal. Working on our odd time abilities, and
playing mid-tempo to work on groove. Hate Plow is still going to do another, it's just a time thing. It
should materialize in the next two years, at most. Malev needs to tour, first. I am doing a band called
Sadistic, with a couple of the ex-Gorgasm guys. One of these days, i'm gonna get to Iowa and do that
band with Mick from Slipknot.
Disease). We have been playing some progressive fusion/metal. Working on our odd time abilities, and
playing mid-tempo to work on groove. Hate Plow is still going to do another, it's just a time thing. It
should materialize in the next two years, at most. Malev needs to tour, first. I am doing a band called
Sadistic, with a couple of the ex-Gorgasm guys. One of these days, i'm gonna get to Iowa and do that
band with Mick from Slipknot.
Blissfulviolet: That’s great how you keep busy and surround yourself with other musicians. Do you
have any advice to give to new upcoming drummers or any musicians that want to succeed in the music
industry?
have any advice to give to new upcoming drummers or any musicians that want to succeed in the music
industry?
Dave: Sure. Don't fall into doing hard drugs. I know, easier said than done. Being a musician can get to
a point where you can basically, have, or get, anything you want. It can be very tempting when shit is
made THAT easy for you, but it's not worth it. There are better things in life. Also, practice your
instrument. Hell, if you want it to be your job, treat it like one, and put some hours into it!
a point where you can basically, have, or get, anything you want. It can be very tempting when shit is
made THAT easy for you, but it's not worth it. There are better things in life. Also, practice your
instrument. Hell, if you want it to be your job, treat it like one, and put some hours into it!
Blissfulviolet: Nicely said, now time for some
random questions… If you were not a drummer,
what do you think you'd be doing today?
random questions… If you were not a drummer,
what do you think you'd be doing today?
Dave: I would probably be racing my quad. I
was doing construction for years, but there's no
fun in that!
was doing construction for years, but there's no
fun in that!
Blissfulviolet: What do you enjoy most being
part of Malevolent Creation? Being a drummer?
part of Malevolent Creation? Being a drummer?
Dave: Malevolent has really grown, and
matured as a band over the past twenty years,
now. I enjoy just being a part of the legacy that
Malevolent has endured. We will always be a
brutal band. I like that... No Metallica bullshit
matured as a band over the past twenty years,
now. I enjoy just being a part of the legacy that
Malevolent has endured. We will always be a
brutal band. I like that... No Metallica bullshit
here! As far as what I enjoy most about being a drummer, I would have to say the fact that I can make
music with people that can actually motivate someone to kill.
music with people that can actually motivate someone to kill.
Blissfulviolet: Thanks Dave for the interesting interview, got any final comments?
Dave: Thanks for the interview, and for the readers, taking the time to read this. Now, go burn one
down, mother fuckers!!! Puff, puff, give!!!!
down, mother fuckers!!! Puff, puff, give!!!!