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The past few years have been good to Deicide. With the success of 2006’s ’Stench of Redemption’, the band traveled the globe with their newest members, guitarists Jack Owen and Ralph Santolla, and founding members Glen Benton and Steve Asheim couldn’t be happier. Now almost 2 years later, Deicide have returned with a new album expected to be released on May 13 entitled ’Till Death Do Us Part’. Here to give us the scoop on the new album is drummer and songwriter Steve Asheim!
Interview with Deicide by Ryk Weston
You’ve predominantly been one of the main songwriters in Deicide, so I have to ask how much input did you have for Till Death Do Us Part?
I was in charge of writing the music for this new record, and that’s what I did. I’ll run it down for you. I wrote the riffs, arranged them into songs, arranged the vocals, and even wrote a few leads as well. It was a lot of work, bit I managed to get it done pretty quickly, about a month’s time and pretty easily too. There wasn’t a lot of suffering over this. It was almost like the record wrote itself.
How would you compare the new material to your last album, Stench of Redemption?
I would say it is reminiscent of Stench of Redemption in that it has the bigger more expansive song structures of Stench and even maybe a little more cohesiveness, but it’s different in that it’s less melodic, because there are plenty of harmonies and leads. It’s just kind of "anti-melodic". Definitely more twisted sounding.
Do you ever come up with material and then worry if you’re going to bury yourself with the drum patterns?
Not really, no. In fact, that thought has never crossed my mind until you just brought it up. When I’m writing music I can already hear the drums and know what I’m going to do, but I don’t see myself writing something I can’t imagine myself playing because that wouldn’t even make sense.
Since you write Deicide’s songs, what guitars do you have that you find comfortable playing?
I write a lot on my acoustic, but it’s nothing special. When I’m actually tracking guitars I have an old B.C. Rich custom shop Rich Bich. It plays nice and sounds decent, so I use that.
Do you tend to come up with new riffs while on the road, or do you let the brainstorm begin when you’re at home?
I definitely just wait until I’m at home with the recording gear before I worry about writing. Besides, there’s enough happening on the road to be worried about writing material. That’s where you’re supposed to concentrate on getting rest and doing good shows.
What do you do to avoid writer’s block? Or is it ever an obstacle for you?
You know, I don’t really have a problem with writer’s block. I don’t believe in it, therefore it doesn’t exist. When I want to write something, I write it. That’s that.
Your drum work in Deicide requires a lot of stamina and probably really works on your cardio. Do you do anything special to keep in shape, or does it just come natural to you after all these years?
It does tend to come natural after awhile, but that’s because I’ve managed to keep in practice this whole time. Had I not been active, I’m sure my capabilities would have declined. As a matter of fact, I just recently started doing extra cardio to make playing easier, and it definitely works.
Do you recall the early drumming influences which lit the fire under your ass to take it to the BPM’s you’re doing?
The early influences that inspired me to go fast was the first stuff I’d heard. Metallica’s Kill ’Em All and Ride The Lightning. The first Anthrax record and definitely Slayer’s Show No Mercy.
So many of today’s young drummers are persistent in pushing the envelope with wanting to be the fastest out there. Do you run into these kids at shows asking you for advice?
Occassionally, and they always want to talk about the technique, like there’s some secret I can tell them. There isn’t. You just have to play by ear. That is, play until it sounds like what you hear in your head. That way you’ll develop your own technique.
How did you come to find out about the use of Deicide’s music being used as torture methods for captured insurgents?
I think my record company brought it to my attention first. They wanted me to comment on it. Of course I did, I said something off hand like, "Yeah, that’s cool" or something, and people were a little offended at my lack of sensitivity or compassion or something. Truth is, I don’t think playing loud music for people is torture. Last time I checked, people pay to have super loud music played for them. Hell, it’s how I make my living. In fact, I think the Army should hire us to play live interrogations. That’d be heavy as Hell! (laughs).
Are there any plans to release a video for the new album?
There’s actually a video making contest Earache is sponsoring. Fans can produce their own vid fo rthe song "In The Eyes Of God". Three finalists will be picked according to the number of hits, then a winner will be selected from the finalists. They win a guitar and some other stuff too, I think. Pretty cool concept. It gets the fans involved.
Has the proposition for medical marijuana use been tossed around as an idea in Florida?
It actually was about 10 years ago or so, and the people overwhelmingly voted Yes for med-weed, but the State is still run pretty conservatively and the bill can’t get through the State House to get passed as a law, or at least decriminalized. Too bad, but I think it’s only a matter of time, maybe another 10 years.
Glass pipe or the traditional bong: Of the two, which is your favorite choice?
I used to be a bong man, but got fed up with the whole thing. The stinky water, cleaning it, breaking the glass bowls, all that shit. Plus, my lungs are starting to get a little worn out, so I slowed down a little. Smoke a lot less and through a one-hitter it conserves a lot, saves me dough and weed. Plus, it’s tiny and concealable, and easy to clean. Everybody else hates it and refuses to use it. I say, "Fuck off, more for me!". Like I said, less, but always top quality and a very steady stream! (laughs)
Steve, many thanks and tokes for doing this interview. Any parting words for the Deicide fans waiting for the new album?
I just wanna say "thanks" to all the fans for sticking with us all these years and to hang in there. New album on the way and hope to see everyone soon!
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