DEICIDE | Steve Asheim | interview

[@DeadGlassEyes]

I love this guy, he never really gets the recognition he deserves. Dudes been at it writing bangers for over 20 years, and is an incredible musician. Completely crazy how good he is at both drums and guitar. Steve, you're a legend.

[@Soundterror]

I think that recently fans are realizing that most of the music in DEICIDE was written by Steve, including the brilliant Legion!

[@christophernatale7436]

Since 87’…….. that’s well over 20 yrs.

[@andrewmichaellee]

Humble guy considering he’s basically a death metal legend….criminally underrated IMO.

[@macabre19]

Steve is critical to the band. Without him, it wouldn't work.

[@Soundterror]

I think it could be as you wrote

[@yinzthrone8703]

I been listening to deicide for over 30 years and not sure I ever heard Steve talk until now.

[@Soundterror]

I am glad that I was able to make him speak, haha :D

[@niffingig5143]

I love this guy! A deathmetal band I was drumming for opened for Deicide a few times from 1997 to 2002. I hung out with Steve and Glenn multiple times. I was 18yrs old when I first met them, and they were always awesome people. They were supportive of the younger bands that were doing deathmetal justice, and they were accommodating to fans. The Hoffman brothers were.... well, not cool. Not at all. It bums me out that I never crossed paths with Deicide again because I took a pay check to play in a couple known metalcore bands, did session work, then played in some technical metal bands, followed by straight up grindcore, then to blackmetal. I never was in an opportunity to share a stage again with them. Sucks.... Our of all the bands who I've opened for, it so opened for whatever band I was in, Deicide were always my favorite. In 2005, or 2006, Deicide had a tour with Immolation, and a Metalcore band was opening the tour. They contracted me to be the session drummer for the tour, but I just started a new job that paid very well. I couldn't do it. To this day, I wish I would have quit before starting that job, then took the session gig. It would have been epic to tour with the Deicide and Immolation guys. I hung out with Glen and Steve plenty, I knew Jack from his Cannibal Corpse days, I hung out with Ross, Rob, and Steve from Immolation a few times, and I knew Bill from a couple shows my band played direct support for on a Cannibal Corpse/Angel Corpse tour. I don't care that I made good money. It was such a missed opportunity of memories that would have been worth it.

[@edwardzilberman9597]

Like it or not, The Hofman brothers are what made Deicide sound like Deicide. They were assholes because they have mental problems. You can change the vocalist, it will still sound like Deicide, You can change the drummer, it will still sound like deicide....but if you change the guitarists in the first 3 albums, it becomes a completely different band. The way Hofmans think about riffs, the way they sound...they sound fucking evil.....great guitar work.

[@megadejv8883]

@@edwardzilberman9597 Actually - bullshit. You have to catch Deicide on tour nowadays to see how great guitar work and BACKING VOCALS are live. Deicide = Benton + Asheim, i can't even imagine how weaker the band would be without one of them. And of course - my fave's are first four albums so i miss Hoffman brothers too, but life goes on.

[@Soundterror]

Sometimes we choose life basis things, anyway most of us don't know whith the guys you mentioned :)

[@jamescon55]

@@niffingig5143 That's an awesome story. I used to play drums too, but later , had physical issues plagued me to just finally quit it ALL , around 10 years now, actually... Yeah man, Steve Asheim was one of my all time favorite drummers and yeah, he JUST KEEPS going! It's amazing with him, Sandoval's return years ago and and just😮... ROCK the funk ON 🤘🔥🤘

[@jamescon55]

@@edwardzilberman9597 Yeah! The 1st album WAS the Hoffman bros, and Steve WAS ALWAYS known for writing "most of the guitar on Once/Serpents, and some of LEGION"...He NEVER would disclose HOW MUCH guitar he actually WROTE for LEGION, up till recently, (THIS interview for one)...ALL these people STILL complaining about "NO Hoffman bros! 😤" , actually FAIL, to realize? ALL the brothers DID? WAS, write the 1st one and THEN, just layed their SOLOS down on ALL/MOST of STEVE'S GUITAR PARTS (to make GLEN 1st and foremost? Happy with the songs, THEN? The rest of the band so yes! The Hoffmans CAN and DID, get on stage and be "hired guns" for the LIVE GUITAR PLAYING IN DEICIDE! YES, they WERE GREAT back when but? Without talking smack, these just FACTS, they have been gone now since WHEN? 2003-2004? ...IT IS STILL the absolute SAME person/people WRITING the guitars, and lyrics SINCE, the LEGION era, so... Yeah! Hailz the mighty Steve/Glen AND DEICIDE! 😎🤘🔥🤘

[@SoundcraveMagazine1]

Great questions. Good job. Amazing to hear Steve talk. I didn’t think anyone other than Glen talked. Great perspective about a legendary band.

[@Soundterror]

Thank you!

[@aamespublishing]

Thank You so much for this interview! Steve is a living legend without a doubt! One of the best metal drummers of all times and also a good human being.

[@Soundterror]

Agree! Great guy and very open minded!

[@ericb4351]

Cool interview. Steve’s a great dude and an original talent!

[@Soundterror]

Thanks! Yes, great guy!

[@andyzuleta5344]

Steve is cool when I first time I saw DEICIDE recently. He was cool enough to sign my DEICIDE cd 💿. For the younger generation who didn’t experience them in the 90s it’s cool how they’re still touring so I was lucky enough to see them, the opening bands were okay

[@Soundterror]

I am waiting for their own tour next spring!

[@andrewmeyer4466]

Very cool and collected dude...not to mention an absolute beast of a drummer!

[@alexgrady608]

Hail Mr. Ashiem and DEICIDE!!! Such an underrated, under appreciated and kind musician this man is, especially at his current age! Much respect!!! 🤟🏻

[@Soundterror]

\m/

[@DawnPossession]

😮 what an amazing drummer

[@Soundterror]

Indeed \m/

[@nathaninostroza7655]

He's still a straight weapon behind the kit. Period.

[@brandonbee3956]

Good straight to the point interview with Steve! Great to see more info from him in interviews.

[@Soundterror]

Thanks!

[@scottpelhamsr9500]

Best drummer ever. Period.

[@Soundterror]

\m/

[@vanguard4065]

My favorite death metal drummer! And also Pete Sandoval and Alex Marquez 🖤🎼💀

[@Soundterror]

One of the best for sure!

[@zacharyseibert6788]

Last album rules.The Stench Of Redemption is a masterpiece. Killer vid!

[@Soundterror]

Totally agree!

[@aningishzida]

Nobody puts Steve in the corner 😀 I met this guy back in 1998. Awesome guy

[@paulotavares1009]

Hail DEICIDE 😈 they cruised the devils path with glorious conquers 😈 Legends 🖤

[@Soundterror]

\m/

[@TrevyTrev-andTheFunkyPets]

First time I saw Deicide live in 91? Was watching Demolition Hammer open , looked at my side and there’s Steve standing there, very tall wearing a black hoodie and had a long beard ( before they were in style). Looked very intimidating. Seems like a nice guy. Great interview

[@Soundterror]

Yes, I didn't know what expect before talk but it turned out that Steve is really cool guy!

[@TrevyTrev-andTheFunkyPets]

@@Soundterror Steve with black hoodie looked like he just left a Satanic ritual, and Glen was walking amongst the crowd carrying a big triple upside crucifix ( like on the album cover) acting crazy .

[@VinterEvig]

Some good questions. Well done

[@Soundterror]

Thank you!

[@NIJHR]

steve is the man for writing most of their Legion release! fucking legend

[@SelfRighteousNewAgeLightWorker]

So *THAT'S* why it sound so amazing!!! It's like fractured Classical music. 😈 Now it makes sense.

[@NIJHR]

@@SelfRighteousNewAgeLightWorker can’t tell brother , that’s kind of what he says, but It’s such a death metal classic !

[@SelfRighteousNewAgeLightWorker]

@@NIJHR Another guy posted here, saying that Steve must take credit for writing Legion for legal purposes, etc. It's difficult to know who truly composed that album now that the Hoffman Brothers are out and there's no way to verify anything. If Steve wrote most of that album, then he's truly a genius… but if he didn't, then the blandness of the recent DEICIDE albums post Santolla makes total sense. It's too bad that the Hoffmans can't get it together enough to compose and release their own music, because their sole AMON album from 2012 was very promising… it displays more of the fractured and technical Neo Classical songwriting that was present on Legion anyway. 🤔

[@NIJHR]

@@SelfRighteousNewAgeLightWorker from what he says here hè is self tought, but I get how he got that inspiration but its problably in a technical way, must say that i like their first two best indeed, still their carreer is impressive

[@Soundterror]

It sounds like that!

[@mariuszkarczewski1939]

Zajebisty wywiad i dobry angielski prowadzacego. Keep like that!

[@Soundterror]

Dzięki!

[@krzysztofbednarski6529]

Kultowy muzyk, szacunek za dziennikarskie rzemiosło i komunikacje. Deicide to jeden z najlepszych zespołów kiedykolwiek.

[@Soundterror]

Dzięki! A do tego bardzo przystępny w rozmowie

[@nosivo13]

Great interview

[@Soundterror]

thanks!

[@seanbaros-qe1rp]

Steve's awesome!!🤘🤘

[@Soundterror]

Totally agree!

[@seanbaros-qe1rp]

@@Soundterror 🤘🤘

[@Soundterror]

@@seanbaros-qe1rp \m/

[@guydelusignan4272]

Glen is a showman/Entertainer Steve is the real deal

[@Soundterror]

I think Steve is basis of this band and guy why band is still playing

[@CdieSilberblume]

Very very good questions !

[@Soundterror]

Thank you!

[@MetalConfederation]

It would be fun to watch how Steve plays the piano Once Upon The Cross or something lol

[@Soundterror]

haha! good one :D

[@richevans609]

I am amazed by Musicians...

[@calebhurlbert3702]

Can’t wait for this upcoming tour man hopefully I get another GB bass pic 🤌🏻

[@balrogDCLXVI]

What's the gauge of his bass pick?

[@Soundterror]

I am waiting for next year tour anouncement!

[@ΣτέφανοςΤρύφωνας]

Come to Greece guys!! 🤘

[@Soundterror]

Next year new tour, then who knows?

[@ericevans7974]

Steve has Always been a prodigy🥁🏆🤘🏻🍺

[@Soundterror]

\m/

[@jamescon55]

He definitely wasn't digging the whole In Torment in Hell questions WAS he 😬....(The RR contract fulfillment releases)....😬😁 Other than THOSE last 2 on Roadrunner and the final Hoffman bros CD? Scars?... Much thanks Steve and company for ALL the inspiration 🤘🔥🤘

[@ajkorras]

5000 dollar album

[@Soundterror]

Yes, read about that they wanted to record two albums to be free from contract with RR.

[@theironforce3000]

I don't think I've ever heard Steve talk in length like this before.

[@Tjhx1138]

@@theironforce3000 check out the behind the scenes stuff on the scars of the crucifix cd/dvd. There’s also an interview with him and jack Owen on one of the live dvds. I think it’s on KZbin.

[@Soundterror]

Thanks! Great was that we was so kind and there were no rush when we were talking

[@pinnerspinner8389]

Eric and Brian were good guitarists playing Steves material. They also accused Benton of shitty bass playing and said he couldn't play Legion riffs on bass. I saw them in Toronto at Lee's Palace and Bentons bass sound was fucking heavy and he dominated Legion riffs and was doing vocals on top of that so i dont know what those two were ranting about. Benton silenced them both.

[@scottpelhamsr9500]

They're still angry to this day. What have they done since Deicide?

[@loboahriman7680]

​@@scottpelhamsr9500 they brought back Aimin' but only for 1 album and long time ago.

[@Soundterror]

As far as I know the problem was that they were lazy and that was one of the main issues (correct me if I am wrong)

[@pinnerspinner8389]

@@scottpelhamsr9500 They did that demo sounding album Liar In The Wait which was not bad but had a lot of bad intent behind it and they spent to much time trying to stick it to Steve and Glen. Shit happens in bands with money but if you believe in the music your doing nothing can stop the progression of that. They said Benton could not play Leigon stuff...that was total stiff smelling bullshit. Not only can he, but he sounds bad ass, he plays well AND does vocals on top of it!

[@pinnerspinner8389]

@@Soundterror Unprofessional, unproductive. They also got into trouble preventing them from touring internationally as well. I didn't know Steve wrote all that material. No wonder it sounds so tight, he wrote it lol.

[@stevehunt914]

LOL - He literally couldn't even have 5 minutes without Glennis pestering him about something.

[@Soundterror]

:D

[@Yasin-jd5zd]

Banished by sin ....one of the best death metal albums in 24.Deicide is awesome.

[@Soundterror]

For sure great release :)

[@ThedrumMachine78]

Legion has to be one of the top 10 Death Metal albums of all times. Insane album.

[@Soundterror]

Agree - still one of the best and most important releases on death metal scene!

[@amp8374]

A to niespodzianka 😊

[@Soundterror]

Będzie jeszcze nie jedna pozytywna niespodzianka na kanale :)

[@АнтонИванов-т8в]

​@@Soundterror 👍👍👍👍👍🫶🫶🫶🫶 ждём

[@Soundterror]

@@АнтонИванов-т8в :)

[@mariusznielipinski9334]

🤟🖤🤟

[@Soundterror]

\m/

[@CdieSilberblume]

🖤🖤👍🏻

[@Soundterror]

\m/

[@Empede23]

Hail fuckin Steve and Deicide excuse my fuckin language

[@Soundterror]

\m/

[@IamMichaellucifer13]

Can not wait for the show in Pensacola on my birthday, that is so fucking metal, just saying.

[@Soundterror]

\m/

[@bob12474]

I remember going to the strip club in Montreal with Steve about 18 years ago after a Deicide show.

[@loboahriman7680]

Was that Glen at 2:59 ?? They yowl at eachother like a bunch of grandpas 😅😅

[@Soundterror]

Yes, it was Glen in background :)

[@loboahriman7680]

​@@Soundterror hehe I'm j/k about the grandpa thing but that was funny!

[@Soundterror]

@@loboahriman7680 I know, but it was funny moment anyway :D

[@SelfRighteousNewAgeLightWorker]

Steve seems like a cool guy, and it's interesting to hear about the business side of the band… but DEICIDE is no longer the scary, vicious and innovative band that I grew up with in the 90s. The insane creativity of the Hoffman Brothers is sorely missed.

[@Soundterror]

I think it is hard to be satanic and scary band when you are already 50 years old. It wouldn't be honest or true, it's hard to have the same rebellion and youthful verve at that age :)

[@rubenabrego6762]

Steve Fu@k n Machine 🤟

[@Soundterror]

\m/

[@letterzero4799]

very florida accent) beast of a drummer, great composer too.

[@StainedGlassEyeBalls]

Forgot to mention at 16:39 Glen got a beating! Lol

[@Soundterror]

Who has beaten him then?

[@immyownbestfriend9338]

some of the best death metal albums were recorded with a significantly smaller budget than “in torment in hell”.

[@ravnswart]

Like which ones?

[@nicolasreny221]

@@ravnswartfr

[@Soundterror]

Some demos for sure :)

[@StainedGlassEyeBalls]

17:15 not the full story of what Glen was doing.

[@Soundterror]

Could you write full story? I don't know it

[@Hecatecrossways]

I don't know why people don't like Inscyneratehymn, and In Torment in Hell. Those were the best Deicide albums. Vital Remains with Glen Benton was also good, and Vital Remains with their 3 prior studio Vocalists ( they have featured many Vocalists live) were great also. Vital Remains, and Deicide go together well. They should share the same fanbase.

[@JeudeBop]

I totally agree on Insineratehymn!

[@Soundterror]

Maybe it is becasue of sound?

[@TheMortimerBoy]

I like Insineratehymn but In Torment In Hell just sucks for me

[@ArmandoHernandez-dy9fo]

💯

[@Soundterror]

\m/

[@alwaystired6615]

You didn't interview Glen?

[@Soundterror]

Unfortunatelly no, hope on spring tour in Europe, there will be a chance!

[@ummumunshi8825]

610th like mine!

[@aggyd9207]

My favorite Deicide albums are the ones with Asheim on drums. As far as I'm concerned this guy is king of blastbeats. The whole reason I listen to Death Metal is because of Stve Asheim and Don Tardy's blastbeats.

[@Soundterror]

Steve plays on all DEICIDE albums :)

[@aggyd9207]

@@Soundterror he just came back to the band. I go to Deicide shows here in FL all the time. I assure you he hasn't been with them in ages.

[@braindeadrichard]

@@aggyd9207you must be confused. He never left and to my knowledge no one has filled in for Steve on drums. Do you have proof of this? If not just sounds like you’re making it up.

[@zacharyseibert6788]

@@aggyd9207 Steve has always been in the band, brah. Donald Tardy doesn't play blastbeats, never has. You sound like an absolute idiot. 😂

[@aggyd9207]

@zacharyseibert6788 I meant they are my two favorite drummers. I know Tardy is in obituary bruh

[@650AFTERHOURSOC]

DEICIDE/KRISIUN SF! It's going to be a great time ☕🚬🔪🤘

[@Soundterror]

Sounds killer!

[@JoeyMarks666]

Fuck yea can’t wait!

[@JoeyMarks666]

Fuck yea can’t wait!

[@JoeyMarks666]

@@650AFTERHOURSOC see you there! 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@SeveredFuneral]

Steve should start writing everything again...

[@Soundterror]

He does it with Keving now, I think

[@Tjhx1138]

It must be really annoying to be asked a bunch of questions about past band drama . Especially when there’s many new albums that all sound great

[@Soundterror]

... or it is really annoying to be asked same questions about new release in recent interviews :) It depends what you are looking for in interviews - I like digging in the past :)

[@Tjhx1138]

@@Soundterror feeling defensive? I didn’t mean just ask about the latest release. You were asking about the Hoffman bros drama from over 25 years ago . They get asked that question in literally every interview. Steve seemed annoyed in the interview.

[@Nachovallester]

San Diego 1992 10 31

[@Soundterror]

\m/

[@too--late]

🤘Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of Deicide, but listening to the albums recorded with brothers Eric and Brian Hoffman, I think they composed the music. But Steve Asheim has to say it’s him for legal and financial reasons. The only names Steve Asheim mentions when talking about his influences are Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt, Ludwig van Beethoven and Sergei Rachmaninov. He doesn’t mention Venom, Slayer or Possessed. This snobbery of citing composers far removed from one’s real influences to give the impression that one is a great creator is a regular occurrence. Honestly, who would think that Deicide was built on the music of Franz Liszt and not that of Venom and Slayer? Let me remind that Beethoven was a devout Christian, that Franz Liszt composed Christus, to the glory of the resurrection, and that Schumann composed a Requiem. And these are Deicide’s influences musically and spiritually?

[@robertocaba5915]

Yeah, the whole thing about classic composers sounds ridiculous.

[@SelfRighteousNewAgeLightWorker]

This makes a lot of sense. The insane creativity of the Hoffman Brothers is clearly lacking now… they may not be "mentally stable" enough to compose and release music these days, but now DEICIDE is stuck in straightforward "groove mode" with some occasional melodic parts that sound like 90s era HYPOCRISY, not the magnificent composers that he cites. It's basic shit and unimpressive for 2024. Steve and Glen are business men, far removed from the spirit of innovation, and Steve in particular with his “it’s just like Legion cuz that was made with computers too” attitude is especially jaded. 🙄

[@thedeceased]

First two Deicide are unmatched.

[@Sixbillion1]

It’s no secret Steve wrote everything. The hoffmans did the solos. If you’ve ever listened to the hoffmans band Amon you’d know they can’t write riffs

[@stephenowens3687]

My wife is a classically trained pianist. She has no interest in Metal, but she says it is the modern equivalent of classical music.

[@johnran6015]

Dude talks exactly like Eugene Levy

[@Soundterror]

You mean sound of his voice?

[@HexenGeist777]

Legion

[@TheManglerPolishDeathMetal]

yes !

[@SquidwardBenton]

✌️🦭🦀🐳

[@Soundterror]

\m/

[@Janisani1]

Saw Deicide in Stavanger Norway where I believe Steve grandparents are from. The sound guy was terrible and left it way to loud for that arena. Bleeding ears and not a good experiance.

[@Soundterror]

I alays have earplugs with me in case of bad sound guy :D

[@lucasjankowski7117]

Sam wywiad bardzo okay. Co do angielskiego to na plus pewność i płynność wypowiedzi. Akcent natomiast pozostawia dużo do życzenia - jest bardzo "drewniany".

[@drummersfromhell666]

Akcent Steve-a? :D. Haha. Ale tak poważnie... Cieszmy się z tego, co Maciej robi. A z czasem będzie pewnie coraz bardziej pro. Dzięki za wywiad Soundterror!

[@Soundterror]

Dzięki za opinię :) Zdaję sobie z tego sprawę, dlatego też nad tym cały czas pracuję :) Pozdrawiam!

[@Soundterror]

@@drummersfromhell666 Dzięki Rafał za dobre słowo :) Tak jest, pracuję nad tym :)

[@immyownbestfriend9338]

could not care any less about any deicide material after legion.

[@Soundterror]

It's ok. I love Once upon the cross for example :)

[@karlricardo4088]

​@@SoundterrorSerpents of the Light is also decent.

[@Truckerkris32]

DYING FETUS IS THE KINGS OF DEATHMETAL NOW

[@ToddDavis-p3u]

That's one little bitty opinion.

[@TheSason666]

I even never ever heard them.

[@scottpelhamsr9500]

Hahaha! Yeah, right. Not in this universe.

[@ravnswart]

everybody knows that the DEATHMETAL crown belongs to CC, even though they don't need it

[@Truckerkris32]

@ravnswart sure but fetus new album set the bar to say deicide is better is fucking joke

[@johnvaldez90]

This guy and his accent need to go bye-bye