- Pete Sandoval
Pete Sandoval is an
extreme metal drummer . Born inSanta Ana, El Salvador , he is known for his accomplishments in the world of extreme metal drumming.Fact|date=February 2008 His first significant stint as a drummer was for thegrindcore bandTerrorizer , formed in mid-1980s, where he began to demonstrate some of his talent. Heavily influenced by thegrindcore music around him, Sandoval quickly developed his abilities as a drummer with little formal training or musical education.Fact|date=February 2008In 1988, Sandoval was invited to join the
death metal bandMorbid Angel . Concurrently, the original lineup ofTerrorizer was dissolved after the departures of Sandoval and guitaristJesse Pintado (who subsequently joinedNapalm Death ).Some cite Sandoval as the drummer most responsible for introducing rhythmically precise
blast beats (i.e. definitive 2-note patterns of alternating bass drum / snare drum hits with cymbal-based ride patterns) into common use.Fact|date=February 2008 While variations ofblast beats had been around for decades, Sandoval built upon the idea with his own approach and quickly championed the concept's use in the music ofMorbid Angel .Fact|date=February 2008Sandoval is also among the first extreme metal drummers. Terms coined for him have included "Pete the Feet" and "The Commando".
Interestingly, Sandoval had never used two bass drums before joining Morbid Angel. He had to practice frequently in order to get his feet up to speed, and recorded the "
Altars of Madness " record within only a couple of months of joining Morbid Angel. According to Morbid Angel guitaristTrey Azagthoth , the band would occasionally walk in on Sandoval passed out on the floor in a pool of sweat. After being woken up, he would immediately say, "Time to get back to work!" [cite book | last=Mudrian | first=Albert | title= | location= | publisher=Feral House | month=September | year=2004 | id=ISBN 978-1-932595-04-8] After mastering double-bass usage in Morbid Angel, Sandoval also implemented them inTerrorizer 's "World Downfall " album when the band briefly re-united to record it.According to Azagthoth, Sandoval's Morbid Angel bandmates once played a prank on him by making him listen to an automated drum machine which they claimed was an actual drummer who could play faster than him. Sandoval believed them, went on to practice, and eventually managed to play faster than the drum machine, to the amazement of his bandmates who thought it impossible.
References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
