Paul Mazurkiewicz (Cannibal Corpse) - drumtalk [episode 28]

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Cannibal Corpse's Paul Mazurkiewicz is a real Death Metal veteran by being the original drummer for one of the most important DM bands of all times since 1988. In a very nice chat we reflected his progress within the band, his approach both on the kit and in writing music as well as some crucial aspects of making music such as the sometimes frightening record button, miraculously changing stool heights and the inevitable shadow of critique...
A great talk with a relly nice fella!

[@froggore52]

"I'm not a drummer or a percussionist. I'm the drummer for Cannibal Corpse." There's something so insightful and humble about that. Paul is one of my favorite drummers.

[@danielcharles8442]

Paul is def. underrated so is Alex Webster. both are top notch, and so technically sound and creative its not even funny. u would be hard pressed to find a better bass guitar player and drummer, Donald Tardy, etc./ maybe Chris Adler, or Dave Lombardo , the bass player from Suffocation is only dude close to Alex W. as far as rock/ metal bass guitar .homie from Suffocation is very underrated, & writes really cool bass lines.I still think Alex Webster is best bass guitarist in rock/ or metal /whatever,etc. He's like Steve Harris on HGH, heavier, faster, more complex. N i love maiden. Checkout youtube video of A. Webster and Victor Wooten jamming is cool as fuhhhhk!

[@isopropyltoxicity]

@@danielcharles8442 lmao man thinks Chris Adler is an elite level metal drummer

[@SmeeHal]

Im not even sure if hes being humble. I think I know what hes talking about. I feel the same way about the bands ive played in. I just loved the music so much that I wanted to be a part of it. I never considered myself a musician. I just did it. When people ask me what do i enjoy doing, playing music always comes next to last or last in my mind. Its not that I dont hold it on high, its just not what comes to mind. Almost ever. I feel he ran away with music as I did. I really understand him. Hell I had people come to me and say " I didnt know you where in a band " or " You play guitar/ Bass? " How they find out is never from me, but others who know me better. its flattering and stupid at the same time. I think hes speaking out of sear honesty. No modesty in it at all.

[@amasvodka]

Cannibal Corpse sticking to 190 bpm is ironically what makes them stand out today. Great interview.

[@narekavedyan8910]

"I always fist." Paul Mazurkiewicz

[@joystraube7814]

So does my wife, but that's another story...

[@Shanedog76]

I've been sick of seeing that hand sign crap for years now!!! its the thumbs up for me! saying I was there!!!!!!

[@Dr.ELStauncho]

I tapped knuckles with him backstage before they went on stage years back, it must’ve really grown on him... he’s not the fastest or most technical but cannibal has a lot weird time changes and he gets the job done, I can’t stand all that over triggered crap

[@chefnaj78]

Paul is very underrated as a drummer.

[@tylerdees4850]

Yeah he is. He's a phenomenal drummer.

[@_Shindeiru_]

I love his style

[@baconslap9417]

Ok bud. He’s not crazy technical like he’s saying. That doesn’t mean he is bad

[@yoe91]

@your mom how is it that bad ?

[@danielcharles8442]

Yea he's great. So is Alex Webster. Both are hella underrated

[@shatteredstiks7392]

I think this is the kind of drummer people need to strive to be not faster, but feel heavy.

[@stever7659]

1:13 "I don't feel like I'm a drummer or a percussionist. I feel like I play drums in Cannibal Corpse, is what I do" how Jungian !!! Humble factor = exalted !! I love this guy's attitude

[@BigMuff75]

Chillest dude ever. And I really dig his playing style. You can tell how hard he's hitting.

[@Shanedog76]

and really fast!!!!!!!?????

[@josephcollins628]

I'm friends with him on Facebook. Very nice guy about everything. Except if the Sabres aren't playing good lol

[@tylerdees4169]

I saw them live a couple weeks ago and he beats the ever living Fucking shit out of the snare. I thought he was going to break his whole drum kit. Whole band was on fire.

[@LHondrums]

one of the most honest self reflections ever to be recorded by anybody, this first minute gave me the chills. great person, i love you paul.

[@thespinesplitter94]

Paul's interviews are always the most enjoyable.

[@SonOfTamriel]

Yep. Him and Alex Webster are the best 2 dudes ever!

[@CarcPazu]

I always liked his playing. Always on the edge of fucking up, it brings a deranged sense of danger to the music. Plus the guy is super cool. I can't imagine Cannibal Corpse without him.

[@justinalexander8524]

Like CC says, sounds like a train bout to jump track...... Then land it last minute

[@dave6234]

Paul's drumming on Tomb Of The Mutilated was PHENOMENAL... Love the guy

[@Bateman61405]

I'm not a death metal fan really at all but I have listened to some CC, but I just have to say as someone who started playing drums almost a year ago, this guys attitude towards drumming is amazing.

[@gravedesecrator7645]

Paul is a beast of a drummer...if it wasn't for his drumming it wouldn't be Corpse! So underated...absolute legend

[@starscream2812]

One of the nicest guys in metal. His talk is so real and genuine. I’ve played drums since I was 11 and I’m 39 now and I get so many things he talked about. I could sit for hours and talk to Paul about drums lol. Long love cannibal!!!

[@the1khronohs40]

Cannibal with another drummer? Wouldn't be Cannibal at all. Not one bit! I'm a guitarist myself, but when listening to CC my attention goes to Paul. And Alex actually. The two of then really drive the band. Paul's blasts kick ass! So what if they're not the fastest? Who cares? Really!? Paul's blasts pack a punch and drive that possibly NO modern drummer has! Paul is AWSOME!!!

[@tylerdees4850]

Agreed bro I'm a guitar player myself and Pat O Brien is one of my biggest influences on guitar. And there would be no cannibal without Paul or Alex. And I met all of them at a meet and greet. And they are the nicest and most humble dudes. I hate how people say paul is sloppy. And pat isn't a good guitar player. Paul is super tight and pat is a incredible guotar player.

[@claymack1109]

Well said dude

[@vitunpelle602]

same if cannibal had a different bassist, and at this point different vocalist.

[@tenhundredkills]

@@tylerdees4850 They're all incredible musicians. I fail to see how anyone can call them "sloppy"!

[@tylerdees4850]

@@tenhundredkills you’d be surprised how many people say they can’t play. Probably because they are fucking idiots. Or they aren’t musicians. And just complete trolls that hate everything lol.

[@mranonymous1966]

paul's got a great philosophy...big respect to him and the band...whats most important is the music and the vibe...not the bpm speed....cannibal can be just as heavy at 190 bpm as other extreme bands at 250bpm

[@Lycanthony1]

Actually, DM sounds WAY more brutal at 190 that above 250. CC sounds like a freight train when the fastest bands sounds like bumblebees.

[@mranonymous1966]

@@Lycanthony1 i agree..i definitely give props to the guys who play in the 250 and up range but it does sound a bit like morse code after a while

[@tenhundredkills]

@@Lycanthony1 For me, it really depends. Playing at speeds like 250 bpm can be brutal, but there's a time and a place for it. Listening to an entire album at that speed can be tiring. There needs to be some dynamics!

[@FredrikSvensson1979]

I have so much respect for Paul. Seems like a really humble and honest guy. He really contributes to the songs being what they are and he is definitely pulling his weight well in creating the Cannibal Corpse -sound. Actually that's one of the reasons they are such a great band; they are such a great fucking combination, they all contribute and in the same direction. Every single one of them is such a qualified fucking musician.

[@diamondkyle812]

Paul, i love your purity. I love how youre not all about being 'the best' percussionist or being a 100% about technicality. Your entire career was formed out of your love for the music and you kept it raw. I think a lot of people abandon that approach and i dont want to with my playing. My story is so similar to yours about how i started drummer. Im thankful somebody finally put it into words

[@Aaron_Gentry]

What a cool guy. Dig his playing style - it works perfectly for Cannibal Corpse :)

[@Unklechopchop]

I met Cannibal Corpse back in 95 they were some of the most down to earth and humble bunch of humans I'd met. I was only 19 at the time . nothing's changed it seems it's great to hear and see they still have the passion for making their music. ... .love this channel By way DRUMTALK and the range of interviews on your channel . youve pretty much covered all my influences .. keep up the great work!

[@drumtalkofficial]

thanks buddy! there are still a few influences of mine missing but the majority is only one click away ;-) I must say back in the day I never thought that there would be a time for me to meet and talk to all of those incredible important guys. I keep it up as long as I can

[@witheredmedia]

Paul's minimalist style still sounds distinct and recognizable, I love it!

[@Lavizan1349]

Not technical? I wonder how many people people can play triplets with their right hand and then do 8th notes with their left hand and right feet... and actually make it sound as neat as he does! Anyway, this was a great interview, good to see that someone with such a long and powerful history says that it's okay for the music to be sloppy, because too many "Extreme" bands play click track music that has zero energy. Total respect for him

[@erikwalthar7947]

Logan Wilder , your either joking around.....or your one of those young lads that grew up thinking born of osiris was what death is......yeah , punch recorded track sessions with triggers is the fucking justin bieber of duch metal

[@revivedfears]

molochz exactly. Paul himself would admit his playing is very basic. Doesn't make it bad, his style is iconic. He's the lars ulrich of death metal, not the best player, but essential for their respective bands.

[@revivedfears]

Erik Walthar whist you're right, modern death, and metal in general, is way over produced with every hit snapped to a grid. However, are people still complaining about triggers? It's not cheating, it's about sound.

[@molochz]

revivedfears -Agree about the triggers. I didn't bother saying anything about them because people seem to have no idea how they work. Also I'd say 90% of metals use triggers in some capacity live and in the studio. They usually use a mix of trigger and natural sound. Mos of the time you'd never even know.

[@revivedfears]

molochz definitely. Its definitely rarer to hear drums on a metal record without triggers and samples these days. Modern metal is more 'produced' than most pop today, especially with the way the drums are recorded.

[@gregggd9168]

i just started playing about 5 years ago (i'll be 50 in November). this guy is so humble. it takes alot for me to be impressed...i will always be impressed with anything Cannibal. I'd KILL to meet this guy. LOL!! just like him though, i never had any lessons, or don't know any of the technical stuff that he even said. granted i'm no where near the drummer that he is, and my band doesn't even play death metal. but seems like we think the same. just go with the flow. and something i've said since we started, "we play to the limits of our abilities", and that's what we do.

[@pavelbratchenko3885]

Goddamn, man, the atmosphere of those videos, i can't stop watching! Feels like i'm talking to those people. Don't stop doing it and never change the style. Thanks for your work!

[@drumtalkofficial]

thank you so much man! building an archive of portraits available for everyone is what I want to do with this channel. trying to get across who these people really are (some of them might have an "interview persona"...but not in the deleted scenes in the beginning...)

[@Rebornthrudoom]

It's almost like a Ringo Starr type of situation, anyone else playing drums for Cannibal Corpse just wouldn't be the same. They would either make it too flashy or it just wouldn't sound right. Playing 30 years with the same band gives you a particular way of working together that just can't be achieved by even "more advanced" drummers.

[@goatmanindustries7182]

There are just some musicians you click with. Chemistry usually takes time. You are correct you can't replace chemistry.

[@ZetroDrummer]

One of my drum heroes... thank you guys. You may invite Dave Mcgraw... sick drummer

[@dr.trichome6419]

calvometal or richard cristy from control denied i love raw drummers savage brann dailor too mastadon bad af

[@doublemarvellous5525]

You would forget how good he actually is on some of those recordings. Blood Drenched Execution is unbelievable

[@itsrodionraskolnikov]

Went through a couple of CCs' interviews, and this gotta be the humblest bunch of talented musicians I've ever seen. Love them

[@TJCombo67]

Outstanding vid. One of my all time favorites, the guy is SO humble but has been SO influential and laid down some of the heaviest grooves of all time. Much respect!

[@BrianHarrisDrummer]

One of the best drumtalk episodes that I've watched. Paul is a cool dude, well spoken, fired back solid answers to all the topics/questions. Was hoping he would talk about his back issue. I saw a video of him in the studio where his back tightened up on him really bad during a blast section (I believe it was), and they had to bring in an inversion table to give him some relief just so he could continue recording. It's really unfortunate as a drummer to have back issues.

[@tylerdees4169]

Yeah it was during recording encased in concrete. He pinched a really nasty nerve and it makes your whole back feel like your suffocating. That's every day of my life lol!

[@andreassteenhaut3645]

Really honest and down-to -earth drummer! Great interview.

[@lazyjackass77]

Huge thanks to Paul for doing this interview. Great video, Drumtalk!

[@OleksiiTheAngry]

Gallery Of Suicide was the first thing I heard from them. My favourite Cannibal Corpse album still. Not the least because of the "simple" (repetitive, not as colourful as in, say Sepultura. Also my first blastbeats ever!) yet RELENTLESS and hypnotizing drumming of Paul Mazurkiewicz that brought and kept all the riff mayhem together, every hit or kick - like a nail shot deep into the skin of a screaming listener of some pop BS... :D

[@osbaldohernandez9174]

I remember meeting Paul back in 2010 and I told him dude how do you Make amazing drum beats I know nothing and he said hey man I just learned from listening and messing around and making our own sounds

[@questioneverything1771]

I really enjoyed this video. I absolutely respect and love this band, they're absolutely my all time favorite. Listening to this band in my younger years, has absolutely help me get through some tough times.

[@MrRick693]

I don't think he realizes how much of an influence his drumming and Cannibal had on metal. They created a sub genre.

[@polishcowm7366]

Rock78 Rock78 i mean they popularized a genre

[@olafvanrijnsbergen1177]

Co-created really.

[@maxdurk4624]

They definitely did not create death metal, but they definitely helped make it popular

[@MrRick693]

@@maxdurk4624 I think they did. First with blast beats, odd timings, cookie-monster vocals....

[@maxdurk4624]

@@MrRick693 I mean, they were an early band, but they so did not create it. Death, Morbid Angel, Possessed, etc were all first

[@Mark.13.]

American-Polish power Mazurkiewicz on drums !

[@JM-zf1sd]

pure old school and pure authenticity...i ve grrew up listening Cannibal C. yeah!

[@JackBuzzMusicZone]

This guy is an Angel, seriously....RESPECT FOR PAUL!

[@Jermusicislife84]

Drum teachers should play this interview to their students LOL Paul is a beast! 🤘🤘

[@FredrikSvensson1979]

His style of drumming is an integral part of what makes Cannibal Corpse what they are. It suits and complements the rest of the music perfectly, which is what makes it so great.

[@droblit]

Eaten back to life is one of the best albums ever.

[@BrianHarrisDrummer]

I agree! Still my favorite from them. That album seems to be a slightly different style from all the albums that followed. It has so much groove to it that is missing from the others. Plus I liked Barnes' raspier vocals on that album. Same with Broken Hope "Swamped in Gore"...full of groove. Wish they'd remix/master that album. It's a bit thin.

[@jerby1355]

Brian Harris Drummer yeah it seems to be more thrashy, especially compared to tomb of the mutilated

[@TeamMontrealMetal]

Down to earth guy. I love Paul, met him a couple times here and there. Music is not always about competition and being the top player. I'm not a top guitar player, I don't shred like I used to but I do tons of riffs and songs...

[@steved9198]

Paul, what an awesome interview!!

[@joesmith9216]

Pauls blast is THE fucking best to this day!!!!!!!!!!! he kind of IS the sound of death metal.

[@edwardglenn9310]

Love his honesty and humility. I remember when I first heard vile I thought he was as extreme as it could get. Then I heard origin but hey these guys are still the best death band ever imo.

[@N8oRMusic]

I love how his playing suit the riffs and songs in general. Brutal and to the point.

[@mustard92]

My kind of drummer. He keeps it real.

[@bradleysmith9924]

Love his attitude.

[@TomWolfDrum]

I like Paul's playing in Cannibal Corpse because it doesn't get in the way of the guitar melodies. Their songs are always full of odd meters and tricky changes. I've been learning Intestinal Crank on drums and I love the quintuplet feel in that song as well as Five Nails through the Neck. Not easy to play on drums and very unusual playing style compared to say Nile or Behemoth.

[@MaceFXE]

I love that he's not worried about being the fastest. You really lose the "feel" of the music when you put your fast pants on. To each their own really, but I dig the groove of the music the most.

[@larsmuldjord9907]

This dude is a fucking legend! This motivates me a lot more than listening to the dudes going over their 300 bpm techniques. Nothing against that, but it sometimes looses focus on what's important. Which is the music. New CC album is fucking great! Death metal just the way I like it. Groovy, thick guitars, guttural growls, the occasional melody and catchy riff. Death metal perfection for that style imo. Please CC, never change.

[@justinhawker8941]

Paul you a legend and humble soul. Rock on brother

[@valuscapricornvs]

Paul is such an inspiration to me growing up learning to play drums

[@TheSPACEDIEVEST1]

Thank you so much for this channel. Drummers that I was curious about are on this channel.

[@sinisterspawn]

My favorite drummer! Dude is here to leave his mark, his writing and his style is what makes him. He isn't out here to be the fastest or show off he just does what he does

[@t3hgir]

so humble

[@bigstef2010]

I like this guy a lot. Great drummer with a great attitude.

[@whoshotya117]

Very humble this guy, I think he does his job well!

[@shoveluffu9664]

Absolute legend and one of my fav drummers. Met him years back and he was the cooliest guy.

[@michi4277]

I love Paul Postaph, Mike portnoy, and George Kollias to name a few, but really, I respect this guy because of all he said in this interview. Raw, Power, Old school. This guy rocks!

[@Khazandar]

It's interesting that Paul remarked about his posture then and now, behind the drums. I've often looked at him during the last ten years, and thinking "That can't be good for him, sitting hunched over like that" xD

[@tommanserable]

What a dude. I swear that death metal musicians are the most chilled out

[@dandavvson333]

great interview on both sides keep it up

[@leatherhead94sarchetterche5]

1 of the FASTEST & BEST DRUMMERS OF ALL TIME. (CANNIBAL CORPSE FOREVER)

[@Loki_Morningstar666]

One of my long time favorite drummers and a really cool guy.

[@darkallyrecordings4931]

I love the cannibal kick snare beat. No one else does it. Its like the kick beat is a little delayed almost swingy. The snare always falls on 1, 3, 2 or 4, but the kick doesn't exactly land on 2, 4, 1 or 3. Its just a natural thing Paul does and makes Cannibal. You really hear it on Pounded Into Dust.

[@timurlysenko1906]

Thanks for this interview!!!

[@Standbackforscience]

"My drumming isn't about me, it's about the band". That right there is why this guy is the best drummer for Cannibal Corpse, who in turn are the most successful death metal of all time. He focuses on the song, and the band.

[@stephenisburger]

Love hearing him speak of the old school hammering, and play what needs to be played. Exactly

[@GODCORRUPTED]

one of my favorites of all time

[@cesarcalderon6336]

Much respect for Paul.

[@BAIARJ]

Legend. Yet so humble

[@adnanrawashdeh3965]

i love this guy and the only thing i love more than him is the way he puts up things ♡

[@Kwert]

Love Paul, and he's definitely an integral part of Cannibal's sound over the years, but I wonder now how much he might be holding things back? Although, it is cool how they have this juxtaposition of difficult riffs with brutal, simple drums behind them.

[@c_w3377]

Paul next time I run into you at town ballroom in Buffalo I'm definitely buying you a drink. Thanks for the greatest albums of my life. You guys are like wine

[@bmentlow]

For years I'd watch Paul play live and see how low he was sitting and be amazed at how in the hell he was able to pull off his playing like that. It's unbelievable playing at that level of intensity for decades that he didn't sustain some debilitating injury. He was definitely making playing way harder for himself. Those parts he plays are hard enough as it is, let alone fighting with the natural physicality of the instrumental because of poor technique or posture. Glad he figured it out!

[@PawelSorinsky]

bmentlow Yes he hurt himself that way over time and his playing deteriorated.

[@Shredder-KJ]

His power is crazy his hits punishing

[@fandejeanpierremarielle7686]

and people think metal guys are dumb... just watch this smart and humble interview

[@goatmanindustries7182]

Funny his outlook on drumming is how I had actually started drumming. I started playing bass. So I feel the transition was fairly easy. It was always hard to find a drummer for the band I was in so it's the whatever the band needs. Never took a lesson just kind of did my own thing. I feel sometimes that makes so of the best drummers that bring something great to bands.

[@hetfe]

He speeks like gunmashine, love it. Amazing drumer. So natural.

[@owenpooley8492]

I love this dude

[@retyetye]

I don't like their music, but Paul is so inspirational, humble and honest ....!

[@paulhaverkamp5621]

Cannibal Corpse braa..he is a great drummer n is very straight forward in his abilities n attitude. Got nothing but respect for them.

[@RxMinus]

Paul: I'm NOT technical. Paul: But then we got technical. Paul: still not technical.

[@MetalAndStoneYouTube]

So simplistic, so pure, so brutal

[@spacegaiden]

i fuckin love this man

[@williamlayng9725]

I like Paul's attitude and unorthodox style drumming!!!! Be careful with that fisting LOL!!!!!

[@AndrewMarloweTV]

"F you studio i own you" gotta love this guy

[@J_Z666]

really inspiring im a drummer myself he explains a lot so goes for me what he said

[@TomDrums]

In a drumworld where it's almost all about showing off your chops, Paul is a much welcome breeze of diversity :)

[@davemitchell9662]

I like this dude.

[@marekweglarczyk5096]

Here he is

[@adh1219]

Underrated and inspiring

[@michaeloehmen6989]

Funny thing is, 190 is one of the hardest speeds to play, it's about the peak of full movement before you start using full ankle and fingers.

[@fredlivingston3766]

Paul is a monster tells it how it is so many of us started bands with no training bad ass this guy is

[@jobzagudn]

The drums in cannibal are always spot on

[@vampyredeth]

That was great!

[@Sladey71]

What a nice bloke he is. Seems to be a thing amongst death metal musicians...or just the heavier metal musicians in general. Paul, Gene Hoglan, Mike Smith, the brilliant & much missed Chuck Schuldiner when he was around...Erik Rutan in particular is FAR too nice!! Maybe it's an equation - niceness is directly proportional to the heaviness & brutality of your music!! Great interview that though, from a quality musician with a quality band.

[@marcusking8507]

BEER PORN & MORE You hit the nail on the head. Extreme metal is a great outlet for negative emotions- it's a form of catharsis. It's a similar situation for people like Stephen King.

[@MrAdhock]

not fastest but for sure, most brutal band ever... :)