Paul Mazurkiewicz Drum Kit & Gear Setup — Cannibal Corpse Drummer | MetalForge
Paul Mazurkiewicz Drum Kit, Gear & Setup
Complete biography of Paul Mazurkiewicz, co-founder and drummer of Cannibal Corpse. Explore his 35+ year career, brutal drumming style, and influence on deat...
Quick Facts: Paul Mazurkiewicz
| Band | Cannibal Corpse |
|---|---|
| Genre | Death Metal |
| Country | USA |
| Primary brand | Pearl |
| Drum kit | Pearl Reference |
| Snare | Pearl Free-Floating Steel |
| Sticks | Vic Firth Paul Mazurkiewicz Signature |
Paul Mazurkiewicz Biography
Paul Mazurkiewicz (born September 8, 1968, in Buffalo, New York) is an American drummer and co-founder of legendary death metal band Cannibal Corpse, formed in 1988. As one of the most consistent and dedicated drummers in extreme metal, Mazurkiewicz has performed on every Cannibal Corpse album since their 1990 debut "Eaten Back to Life."
His drumming style combines relentless blast beats, complex double bass patterns, and groove-oriented sections that have helped define the death metal sound. With Cannibal Corpse being the best-selling death metal band of all time (over 2 million albums sold worldwide), Mazurkiewicz's contribution to the genre is immeasurable. His 35+ years of consistent touring and recording make him one of the most enduring figures in extreme metal history.
Career Highlights
- 1988: Co-founded Cannibal Corpse in Buffalo, New York with Chris Barnes, Bob Rusay, Jack Owen, and Alex Webster
- 1990: Released debut album "Eaten Back to Life," establishing Cannibal Corpse's brutal sound
- 1992: Released "Tomb of the Mutilated," featuring the iconic "Hammer Smashed Face"
- 1994: Appeared in the film "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective," performing "Hammer Smashed Face"
- 1995: George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher joined as vocalist; new era began
- 1996: Released "Vile," first album with Corpsegrinder and Rob Barrett
- 2006: Released "Kill," considered one of their most technically proficient albums
- 2012: Released "Torture," showcasing evolved drumming complexity
- 2017: Released "Red Before Black," their 14th studio album
- 2021: Released "Violence Unimagined," demonstrating continued relevance after 30+ years
- 2023: Continues touring extensively; Cannibal Corpse remains death metal's best-selling act
Style & Influences
Paul Mazurkiewicz's drumming style is the foundation of Cannibal Corpse's brutal sound. His approach combines old-school death metal intensity with evolving technical proficiency, maintaining consistency across three decades of extreme metal.
Key Influences:
- Dave Lombardo (Slayer): Thrash metal intensity and double bass foundation
- Pete Sandoval (Morbid Angel): Death metal blast beat technique
- Gene Hoglan (Dark Angel/Death): Technical precision in extreme metal
- Neil Peart (Rush): Progressive elements and composition
Signature Techniques:
- Relentless blast beats: Sustained high-speed patterns that define Cannibal Corpse's intensity
- Groove-oriented sections: Contrast brutal blasts with headbang-worthy mid-tempo grooves
- Complex double bass patterns: Intricate kick drum work underlying the wall of sound
- Endurance drumming: Maintaining intensity through 90-minute performances nightly
- Song service: Patterns designed to enhance rather than overshadow the riffs
Gear Highlights
Paul Mazurkiewicz has been associated with Pearl Drums for much of his career, favoring equipment that can withstand the rigors of extensive touring and intense playing.
Current Setup:
- Drums: Pearl Reference
- Snare: Pearl Free-Floating Steel
- Cymbals: Meinl Classics Custom / Byzance Series
- Hardware: Pearl Eliminator Double Bass Pedal
- Sticks: Vic Firth American Classic 5B
- Heads: Remo Powerstroke 3 / Emperor Coated
Setup Philosophy:
- Durability is paramount for 200+ shows per year
- Consistent setup across all venues for muscle memory
- Relatively standard kit size for death metal efficiency
- Emphasis on reliability over complexity
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Paul Mazurkiewicz use?
Paul Mazurkiewicz plays a Pearl Reference drum kit — the blast-beat-optimized setup that has powered Cannibal Corpse's relentless death metal assault for over three decades. It's anchored by a Pearl Free-Floating steel snare tuned bright and tight to cut through down-tuned guitars.
What drum set does Paul Mazurkiewicz use?
Paul Mazurkiewicz's drum set pairs his Pearl Reference shells and Free-Floating steel snare with a Pearl Eliminator Double Bass Pedal, the same configuration carried across Cannibal Corpse's entire discography from Tomb of the Mutilated through Violence Unimagined.
What cymbals does Paul Mazurkiewicz play?
Paul Mazurkiewicz plays Meinl cymbals, drawing from the Classics Custom and Byzance Series.
What snare does Paul Mazurkiewicz use?
Paul Mazurkiewicz's snare is a Pearl Free-Floating Steel, tuned bright and tight to cut through Cannibal Corpse's down-tuned guitars.
What sticks does Paul Mazurkiewicz use?
Paul Mazurkiewicz uses Vic Firth American Classic 5B drumsticks.
What bass drum pedal does Paul Mazurkiewicz use?
Paul Mazurkiewicz drives his locomotive double bass technique with a Pearl Eliminator Double Bass Pedal.
What drumheads does Paul Mazurkiewicz use?
Paul Mazurkiewicz uses Remo Powerstroke 3 / Emperor Coated drumheads across his Pearl Reference kit.
What band is Paul Mazurkiewicz in?
Paul Mazurkiewicz co-founded and has drummed for death metal band Cannibal Corpse since 1988, appearing on every album since their 1990 debut Eaten Back to Life.
How many Cannibal Corpse albums has Paul Mazurkiewicz played on?
Paul Mazurkiewicz has appeared on every Cannibal Corpse album since the band's 1990 debut Eaten Back to Life — the only member besides bassist Alex Webster with that distinction — across more than a dozen studio releases including Tomb of the Mutilated (1992) and Violence Unimagined (2021).