Martin Axenrot - Opeth - Drum solo live @ Kojak (RA), Italy

[Morstonaqu]

Does anyone know which sabian cymbals Martin uses?

[DreadedLeopard]

This drummers thing is getting really over the top. I can't choose between either of them.

[gmt87801]

Axe is a good speed metal drummer. He is creative and has great double bass speed.

Lopez was a more jazzy and created more with dynamics and groove than with speed. But if he wanted to he could throw down some fierce foot work (Deliverance). I think overall I like Lopez for Opeth, but Axe isn't a bad replacement.

[losermonster]

@gmt87801 Speed metal? I think you've got the wrong band. No doubt Lopez was good. Great in fact. But Axe is unreal, and remember he's only had one album to prove himself so far. You can pick and choose between 6 albums with Lopez for his best.

[antonio610]

Åkerfeldt has said that every lineup change Opeth ever went through was for the better, and you know what, as long as he's still there it's probably true.

[zubiac]

to be honest: I think Lopez would have a very hard time to play Axenrot's Watershed stuff.

[novembre8211]

Anyone who thinks this guy can't play is an idiot, plain and simple

[Occultfiend]

Throwing in my 2 cents here.

I'm a drummer, i've been drumming for about 9 years now and both Lopez and Axenrot are badass but I think that Lopez puts a lot more effort into his fills and unusual cymbal work that just flicks around the songs nonstop, he's always doing something different, and he can perfectly accent the guitar work, Axenrot just can't pull off the fills and cymbal play as good as Lopez can, not trashing him, Axenrot is still a damn good drummer, they're both a lot better then me

[TheMisodoctakleidist]

@Occultfiend

I agree. Axe works well with Opeth, but Lopez just fitted in the band perfectly. His drumming was, I suppose, more tasteful.

[death666nemesis]

opeth greatest band !!

[irwin3036able]

Martin Axenrot should make an album with A7X!!!

[Smackenzieth]

@irwin3036able hahahaha, that would be so embarassing. a7x is garbage.

[donangry]

Lopez > This garbage.

Not impressed.

[groscaca69]

@megadedly: how can people fight against megadeth and metallica? Megadeth is a better band by far....=p

[Megadedly]

You guys are as lame as everyone that fights about Metallica and Megadeth. Who cares, Jesus. Lopez is already doing his own thing with Jonas Reslan. Get over it, it's been like 4 years.

[helloffire43]

dude i only list to three bands that are death metal opeth, dark tranquility, and amon amarth!!!!!!!!!!!!1 amazing solo 2

[death666nemesis]

@helloffire43 i think u forgot death 'cause without them none of these bands would've existed ... great choices though

[loincloth200]

Lopez had a distinct salsa flair to his drumming, most particularly his fills

But Lopez was also very lazy when it came to 3/4 beats, often using the same exact beat for more than several songs.

Axe does much more interesting things in 3/4, and I doubt he'll ever rinse n reuse them. But at the same time, his fills are less organic, much more mechanical than Lopez's.

I think Mikael has to be just loving the fact that there is debate about the lineup change in his band. Classic.

[dannythefreerunner]

Mike and Fredrik. how can you say which one is better. Fredrik doesnt sing and play. alot harder to sing right when playing. and the solo's mike pulls off when he is not singing is just as good as Fredrik's

[SephynnXx]

I agree, Mikael to be honest sounds better on guitar in my opinion. His solos have true soul, Fredrik sounds like he has artificial feel because, he is nothing but a shredder that is told what to do by every band he ever joins. Sure he gets the job done but, he butchered the hell out of Peter's guitar parts when I seen Opeth live last year. "The Drapery Falls" sounded like shit because of his fuck ups. Mikael is a songwriter and emotional player, Fredrik practiced his guitar a lot....

[JimKnopf15]

@SephynnXx Never read so much crap in one post. Frederik outplays BOTH Mikael and Peter, his technique is flawless and he plays with so much feeling. Proof? watch?v=l6hoEDh7i4M

[SephynnXx]

@JimKnopf15 Fredrick better than Mikael? NOT AT ALL! Mikaels a musical genius. Fred can shred, abd us good, but he is far from flawless. I seen him butcher Opeth songs several times when I seen them live last year. Everyone was talking about how much this guy screwed up and, how much they missed Peter. Sorry but, I dont care how fast some guy can play the guitar, or how technical he is. I would rather hear one spine chilling note on the guitar than some shredding solo with zero emotion.

[hashimali72]

Axe is by far better than Martin Lopez.

[SephynnXx]

@JimKnopf15 By the way, I know you are probably one of these dime a dozen, metalhead, everything has to be played a million miles per hour type of guys. But unlike most people I dont find speed impressing. Its a robotic, mechanical exercise that can be done and learned by anyone. Shredders are a dime a dozen. Real guitarists have soul and can write good music. Mikael is that man. Fredrick is nothing more than a guitar player who is a good guitarist, but that is all he is. He no musical genius.

[DanielAbbasi07]

The best drummer that has ever been in Opeth. Simply as that.

[quisquefaber88]

its a matter of preference. i prefer lopez... u can't judge on skills, cos you can't say lopez is less skilled than axenrot. so its subjective.

[HemeHaci]

on the contrary Lopez is a better drummer, may not be skillwise but come on, Fredrik is also a more skilled guitarist than Mikael but who cares?

[000MidnightSun]

although he is very good i think it's obvious that martin lopez is the best. axe can't play most of his beats and that's a fact, jack

[DanielAbbasi07]

That's a matter of taste. Lopez has another style than Axe, that doesn't mean Axe can play it. I think it's good that Axe don't try to coyp Lopez, as many would have done. Axe is a beast and solid as hell live.

[000MidnightSun]

i beg to differ. although he's pretty great, i've only seen opeth with axe and he has definitely dropped some beats. for instance the only time i saw them play deliverance he wasn't keeping up all the way on the end drum section when the double bass drives quickly. also he doesn't play the beats off the ride and hi-hat like lopez does on godhead's lament. i saw these live. no disrespect but these instances are true. i love these guys still. i wish i could see the 20th anniv show

[DanielAbbasi07]

It's all a matter of taste. Mikael said that Lopez had a tendence to be quite untight live and the last gigs with Lopez wasn't good at all. To be tight is one of Axe's biggest drum skills. His drumming is so haunting and filled with energy. And by the way, when I saw Opeth in Oslo back in September last year, Axe NAILED Deliverance. But again, at the end of the day, it all comes to what people like and prefer. Lopez did great things for Opeth, I like Axe better

[Shishiwakarashi]

Lopez is fucking awsome man... but Legolas is better...

[MarkusVanta4]

sick solo

[FieldsOfQuantum]

thats a shame that martin lopez never did something like that on any gig it would be 10x better solo with lopez.

[YouKnowUAreRight]

duuude the sound of that bass drum :O so awsome

[BmArthas]

Sure that he is a good drumer... he makes music with OPETH!!!

[Joeaviation1712]

Opeth IS one of the greatest bands ever. The mix of hard double bass metal, with smooth acoustics and melody, is unbelieveable. They get my vote everytime. And there Swedish? I've heard people say nothing good comes from Sweden. C'mon!!! There's OPETH!...oh, and Ikea ;) haha

[macadangdang07]

in flames? arch enemy? caliban? the list goes on dude

[Chairmaneoin]

and meatballs

[Wraithdegothia]

Nothing good comes from Sweden? Well, when it comes to music nothing could be further from the truth. ;)

*deep breath*

Opeth, Dark Tranquillity, Cult of Luna, Meshuggah, At The Gates, The Haunted, Edge of Sanity, Sacrilege GBG, Bloodbath, Katatonia, Amon Amarth, Aeon, Entombed, Helltrain, Nasum, Soilwork, Scheitan, In Flames, TIamat... ah hell, too much to list.

And that's just the death/melodeath scene, and even there I'm leaving a few out lol. And yea, meatballs!

Screw Ikea though.

[MarianOctavarium]

@Wraithdegothia You Forgot Therion and ABBA jeje

[Nihility91x]

Quality Death Metal comes from Sweden!!!

[deadrider24]

@BmArthas

and bloodbath

[infectiousfiles]

funny how people clap to a drum solo .. lol

and soon they realize they are not even clapping in time

[slickvick456]

he uses dw rite? cz in the burden video it isn't playing on dw drums, it's sumthing else.. Any1 kno wt he used 2 record the watershed album?

[09thmsteam]

I just saw one of the soundcheck videos and I saw pdp set w/ dw9000 pedals on each bass not sure which set though

[slickvick456]

o kk

[bradydrumsrule]

well pdp is an offshoot of DW so if hes endorsed by DW then that includes pdp. at least i think it is haha

[09thmsteam]

Ya but I didn't know you get the offshoots endorsed too for being endorsed by the mother company o_o

[EternalSolstice]

I think that was a Mapex, not 100% sure

[TarekSolidSnake]

he's fucking awesome !

i wish i can be there :(

[EternalSolstice]

Same (:

[Exit89Drums37]

man that bass drum sounds sweet in my subwoofer

[opethsdarkestfan]

to be a member of opeth, u have to be called martinXD

[thefullmoon]

lol XD

[blueapple007]

lmao! is true....

[kenv13]

to be the drummer of opeth***

[DraneXproductions]

OR your last name hast to start with ak, unless you play a keyboard.

[typhis187]

Anders Nordin was the first Opeth drummer and had been with Akerfeldt in a couple of other bands before then including their first effort Eruption.

Can't remember which of you asked about who their first drummer was. He played on Orchid and Morningrise, then lopez came in on My Arms and you all obv know the rest.

[Blindingraven]

If Only Martin Lopez was there to stick a drum-stick down this posers throat.

[Panasper]

if only axe was here to shove a drum-stick down your throat you fuckin poser

[Blindingraven]

What was that?

All I heard was "noff.noff.noff fuckin poser hyuk hyuk hyuk".

Axe loves the cock almost as much as your cunt of a mother. I reckon I'd drum all three of you under the table at the same time.

[mercefulmerc]

SHUTDOWN LOL!

But theres one thing you're wrong about, and there's not really much you can do to -proove me wrong, actually. There's nothing, anyway. Martin Axenrot is an excellent drummer. Your saying he's shit because you're in denial about you're jealousy of his proffesionalism. SNAP.

Gw Martin.

[skinmasterJ]

Anybody who says axe sucks has not seen opeth live. He is phenomenal ! I watched him from stage side at Starland Ballroom in NJ back in May and I was blown away by his speed, groove, technique, and finesse around the kit. He needs more pub. because he is one of the best metal drummers today. Let chris adler get all the recognition while basically playing the same shit all the time. I put axe up there with Danny Carey and Gavin Harrison. Yes people, he is THAT good !

[DimebagizGod]

that is a cool drum solo.

[Tkot2326]

During a concert, the average metal drummer has the same heart rate of an olympic athlete. This is fact.

[cawkypoo]

that war martin lopez, not this guy

[ozzi94]

What i like about axe is all the ghost notes he adds to his beats. Not many metal drummers nowadays do that.

Burden - whole song ghost notes.

Bridge of sighs (i know its not their song) ghost notes everywhere.

Its VERY unusual and VERY cool!

Opeth FTW!

;D

[McMajestic992]

damnation was a good album but ghost reveries had some nice plays in lopez drumming

[XxReGoxXeRo]

Opeth Losr Martin Lopez WHICH KILLS me but Axe is the next best replacement and least and we got Fredrik Akeson as a guitarist

[GRAWpcsucks216]

If it sounds like Opeth and you like Opeth....quit bitchin and enjoy it!

[kerplunk89]

i second the gentilemen. here here!

[chuckl3s]

how do people come to the conclusion that axe has a superior technique than lopez? lopez had more feel, more jazz, more soul - and more technique. axe sounds like a drum computer to me, and if you listen to live material with him, i think he's speeding up songs constantly that don't sound good that way... he's just taking the balance out of the songs and turning them all to pure death metal songs. that's not what opeth is all about imo.

[heyimdave222]

out of all the albums they made, i have to say that i am a lopez fan, but i am starting to like axe a little more

but hey

i am just a teenager

[bvanhar1]

axe and lopez own

[xiraki1]

Axe And Mikael Are My Favourite members.But all opeth rullezz

[CreatorsMT]

The way Opeth's sound is going, I'd say axe's drumming fits very nicely with them. He's got excellent chops.

[djd4m0nk]

if ur a fan of opeth then just accept that times have moved on! - lopez has left us many an album to enjoi. axe can never replace lopez but i still believe he belongs in the new opeth XD

mmmmm a month til they come to town XD

[dalchimsky]

I prefer Lopez. Axenrot is amazing, fast, powerful tight, but does - though in an awesome way - things that EVERY other metal drummer does. Lopez threw in his lines so many different things, making them so beautiful and interesting to listen to.

The only thing, for me, in which Watershed drumming is really enjoyable is the production, the drum sound, as powerful and cristalline as never heard before. Unfortunately, the same can't be stated for Ghost Reveries, where drums have no "mids".

[ozzi94]

That is not true. Well, of course he is playing drums in a "metal" way ,( Well, what did you expect? JAZZ drums? *sigh*) but he adds things that pretty much NO metal drummers do. Like ghost notes. Do u even know what that is?

And what he does is VERY special.

Coming from an experienced drummer.

[SoulreEperHellraiser]

Since when did ghost notes become non-metal if I may ask? It's like saying a ride cymbal doesn't belong in jazz.

[ozzi94]

No. That would be a ridiculous thing to say. Ride-cymbal IS jazz. Ghost notes is NOT. since 99% (roughly) of all mainstream metal drummers DO NOT use ghost notes, and 100% of all jazz drummers use ride cymbal, its so fucking stupid of tosay that.

go to hell, shithead.

[fabricedrummer]

I agree.

"Axe" (and also Martin Lopez!!) use ghost notes, those gentle hits between the accents on the snare drum and toms. This is not common at all in the Metal world mainly because it's tough to play ghost notes when you have to hit loud!!

I'm a rock drummer and I played in a metal band but I couldn't use my ghostnotes as the sound was too loud and I needed to focus on my strength and volume first!!

So respect these guys for being able to play subtle music, even loud

[ozzi94]

Thank you! ;D

[shlempnar]

thats fucking stupid. every good drummer ghosts. if its not a habit it better be fucking deliberate.

[ozzi94]

You are fucking stupid. I didnt say its unusual for good drummers to use ghost notes, i said not many (pretty much no) METAL (!!!!!) drummers do it.

Retarded dickhead.

[shlempnar]

well get your shit straight then. ghosts are as common as shit that is brown

[ozzi94]

Not in metal.

[shlempnar]

YES IN METAL. of course the ozzy fan is going to say otherwise. all ozzy's drummers were fucking hard hitters. straight to the damn point. mostly self taught too. deen castronovo, tommy aldridge, randy castillo, lee kerslake. but carmine appice, that dude ghosts like there's no tomorrow. probably not with ozzy. ozzy is a very particular man. he knows what he wants... but "not in metal"? fucking sit down, shut up, and get your ears out of your asshole you "retarded dickhead".

[kaChalloner]

man did your mom kick you when you were a kid or something? you just seem pissed off at nothing haha

[ozzi94]

I am pissed off at something. Retarded people on youtube who think they know everything about something.

[ImNorthPole]

so, you're pissed at people like yourself?

[Skipants17]

Hey ozzi94, watch Thomas or Tomas, not sure how it's spelled, Haake of Meshuggah drum. There's a video of him playing "Bleed" live here on youtube somewhere. He uses tons of ghosts on the snare. They are common as fuck man.

[delphicdaimonion]

Yes, ghost notes are common among many drummers, but using Haake as your source that something is "common" is a bold move! And it's "Tomas."

[Skipants17]

"Using Haake as your source that something is 'common' is a bold move!"

Lol! So true! But he is an example of a metal drummer who uses them... and uses them well.

[delphicdaimonion]

He absolutely is. However, he does just about everything (except speed) better than any metal drummer, period.

[FailureEpiphany619]

damn those kicks sound heavy and full!

[MforMetalhead66]

axe is has a heavier style and i have to say that i prefer him than Lopez,but they are but good drummers

[DetNosnip]

*sigh* Alot of chops...no feel.

[FutureBarCode]

EXACTLY!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Blk6Metal6Guitarist6]

axe kicks ass in opeth

[FutureBarCode]

Really fucking lame :(

Lopez owns...

Go fuck you mother...

Bye...

[cglcon]

your a idiot, AXE is amazin!

And I already fucked your mother the day so...

[mercefulmerc]

Would you to turks learn to spell =S and axe owns

[FutureBarCode]

"Would you to turks learn to spell"

I'll leave it at that.

[mercefulmerc]

How come you quoted me?

[Slashandcarry]

FutureBarCode, you just made my evening.

[Ludwigdrummer616]

Haha, I was going to do the same, but you beat me to it. lol funny shit

[Arkayem]

Lopez drum solo plz

[Mirdraal]

Yeha i reckon Lopez was better for their style. Axe is to metal, not enough of what Lopez had which made him more unique and better for Opeths style.

[DubbleD123me]

I think they can play at the same level, i just think Lopez is better for Opeth.

[Sezzthrazz]

why're people always saying that the one or the other is better...

Come on! Martin is great with death metal and swing sounds.

Lopez is great with death metal and latin/exotic sounds.

Both are fucking great drummers!

I like Axe best for Watershed.

I love Lopez for all the 8 other albums ^^

[christdechienmort]

first of all lopez didn't make the 8 others but he came on My arms, your hearse CD not before but i don't remember the name of the one who makes orchid and morningrise. for more info go check on the official site before writing bullshit thx.

[aaronmusslewhite]

Either way, he played on almost all their albums. And before you run your mouth when people make minor mistakes about something insignificant like what drummer played what album in a band, maybe you should make sure you have all your facts straight yourself (and if you haven't quite figured out what i'm talking about, you failed to produce a name for their first drummer, so for more information check the official site before writing bullshit, thanks).

[Elion177]

i love that guy ... i like his style much more than Lopez's (only opinion - don't judge)

[JakDaMan666]

I hate when people try to clap along.

[fredszzz]

haha i know its a drum solo wtf xD

[jaredowty]

Axe may have superior technique to Lopez, but Lopez had a 100x better feel and sense for the song, which is why he was better for Opeth. IMO.

[SamNeLL]

could not agree more (Y)

[iznow]

TRUE.

[DubbleD123me]

he speaks the truth

[Jagstaldincola]

Yet, Watershed with Axe on it is a fucking kickass CD.

Really great songs on it, that's for fucking sure!

[mjttama04]

If anybody knew anything about drumming, they would KNOW that this guy is a better drummer than Lopez (No offense to Lopez). Although Lopez is awesome in his own right.

[Compendyum]

Wrong. Opeth is not the same without Lopez. The groove,the latin fills and jazz fuzion doesnt exist in Axe´s portfolio. He is still good, though.

[Negronigganigga]

I dont know why people act like he isn't as good as Lopez. This is one fantastic drummer.

[yas666eer]

hez good but.........

god i hope lopez recovers and comes back.. he used to bring such a different flavor to opeth

[LostWithin8]

Yeah but he won't come back, so shut up please! Axe ftw!!

[gonnakillyou666]

dude he quit just because he wanted to quit

and ontop of that cuz he was always sick.

he's not coming back.

[icanhaspopcorns]

Hey, nice job on getting the camera perfectly in focus.

[icanhaspopcorns]

Just to ruin it for everybody who hasn't listened to Watershed - Its a fucking great album.

[fendermexi]

maybe its just my speakers, but the bass sounds fuckin crazy. Impressive to say the least, i do miss Lopez tho

[insightliviu]

axe is a very good drummer . he just has a different style than good ol Lopez.

[gurrmuff]

:/ hes alright

[InTuneOnTime]

HE BASHES THE SHIT OUT OF THE DRUMS!!! GOD MOTHERCUNTING DAMMIT SON OF A FUCK! Lopezzzzzzz take a xanax and come bacckkk, pleaasseee god save us from this rigid swede!!!

[HicinPie]

yea hes good but Marin Lopez is the shit, why did he leave opeth? and what band is he in now?

[BloodWings17]

martin left opeth because he couldnt deal with the stress of touring, he was emotionaly unstable and he couldnt even hold down a meal,all the members agreed to let him go for his own health hes not currently in any band

[HicinPie]

bugger.

[Walls1441]

actually he just has a rare blood disease.

[HicinPie]

he just has a rare ability to play the drums like a god damn beast thats all.

i give him \m/ in honor of his name.

[runnerman130]

i heard he had a rare blood issue that messed him up pretty bad

[IAmSofaKingAwesome]

i am actually very interested to see how the new album will turn out with the new guitarist and new drummer.

[Cheesecake93]

ooo you got that right! but hes still awesome.

[argentinoproductions]

he`s awesome... but... nothing like Martin Lopez...

[InTuneOnTime]

It's funny, I try convincing myself that this guy is "just as good"....yeaaaa fucking RIGHT! I guess if Lopez can't be there then Axe will do, but shit, it'll NEVER be the Opeth everyone knew and loved for so long. Make way for Akerfeldt & Co.-peth

[dimedizzle]

HAHA "Akerfeldt and Co.-peth" hilarious.

Have you heard The Lotus Eater? Axe is tiiight.

[InTuneOnTime]

Yes I've listened to LE like a million times. Axe is indeed tight but my god, so fucking different. There are a lot of aspects of Lopez's drumming that I'm going to miss no matter how good Axe is now or gets down the line.

[dimedizzle]

I'm gonna wait for the album before I set this in the cement but I do miss the groove Lopez and Mendez had in pretty much every song.

Axe still does a good job covering Opeth's old songs so they arn't going to change.