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Randy Black is one of the most respected metal drummers today. Just take a look at ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxKhUy02_lw ) or ( http://youtube.com/watch?v=de_KDfytTMY ) from one of his drum workshops playing a song from his Annihilator days and a newer song from his Berlin based band DuskMachine. That in itself is enough to take your breath away – and his! Shortly due to embark upon a huge tour with Primal Fear, Randy kindly took the time to do this interview before he heads off. |
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| Q | Describe your drum set-up, and does it differ depending on the band you are playing with or the situation? |
| A |
My set up depends on what band I'm recording with at the time, but it's usually one of the following two setups. Set up #1 with Primal Fear, I use 2 kicks, 3 rack toms and 2 floor toms. For cymbals I have 2 hi hats, 2 rides, 4 crashes, 2 splashes and 2 china’s. Set up #2, I used recently to record a CD with Skew Siskin (hard rock) and for that session I used a single kick, 1 rack tom and 1 floor tom. For cymbals I had 1 hi hat, 3 crashes 1 ride and 1 china. |
| Q | Who would you say is your favourite drummer of all time? |
| A | For many years it was Keith Moon (The Who), then Neil Peart (Rush) These days I have many favorites. |
| Q | You taught drumming for a while. What did you focus on as a teacher? |
| A |
I still teach drums. It’s only when I’m busy with one of the bands touring, recording etc. that I don’t teach. What I focus on depends on the student's level and what they’re trying to achieve. But what I highly recommend to all students is “RUDIMENTS”. In my opinion it’s an absolute must! |
| Q | As both a musician and a fan, do you think bands of the 80s era should adjust their sound to today’s market or stay true to their roots? |
| A | I think they should do what they really believe is right for the band/music. After all, it’s them who have to live with it for the rest of their lives. |
| Q | Name one highlight from your Annihilator days. |
| A | Meeting my fiancé Ulrike 1995 in Berlin during the King Of The Kill tour. We’ve been together since. |
| Q | Any endorsements? |
| A | Currently I’m endorsing Mapex drums, Sabian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks and Aquarian drum heads. |
| Q | Primal Fear's forthcoming CD "New Religion" will be released late September. What can we expect? |
| A | You can expect a further development of the Seven Seals CD, but in my opinion New Religion sounds more brutal. And there’s a first for Primal Fear on this CD, a duet with Ralf and Simone Simons from Epica. |
| Q | Did you face any difficulties during the recording/mixing process? |
| A | The only difficulty I normally face recording with Primal Fear (actually, a lot of sessions seem to go this way) is that we don’t rehearse “at all” before going into the studio. So I’m not sure that while I’m working out my drum parts with the demos at home that the guys and producers will like what I’m coming up with. It’s only when we’re actually in the studio that we find out what’s jiving and what’s not. It can be a little stressful at times. |
| Q | Your CD “Peace Breaker” with Skew Siskin was released earlier this year in May. What has the response been so far? |
| A | It’s been really good. While we were on tour opening for Motörhead in France the response to the new tunes from the audience was great, and I heard recently it was CD of the month in France’s Rockhard! |
| Q | How are you going on finding a new singer for your other project Dusk Machine? |
| A | Very good! I’m sure that by the end of Aug. latest Sept. we’ll be announcing a new singer. |
| Q | I read you like comedies…South Park and Spinal Tap. Do you have a favourite quote from each? |
| A |
South Park - What the hell is a rim job? Spinal Tap - They were still booing them while we were on! |
| Q | For fun, what is a rim shot? Give a sensible answer if you wish ;) |
| A |
I’m going for sensible on this one. It’s when the stick strikes the drum
head and rim at exactly the same time giving you a much more powerful
sound!
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To check out more about Randy, visit http://www.myspace.com/randytblack and http://www.randyblack.de |
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I would like
to thank Randy for answering these Qs & As and hope he gets to the UK
sometime soon.
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Till next time… Keep It Loud! ANGEL OF METAL
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