I e-mailed Mykill, the drummer of Slayer tribute band Dead Skin
Mask. I'm not sure what he prefers to be called. His name is
Mike Aresco (Michael, hence spelling as Mykill). He is an
interesting character, to say the least. After seeing them for
them twice, this time with a 60% new line up, I wanted to see
what they are doing and what news of their CD release is
available. This is what Mykill said:

Javier: That is some set you play.

Mykill: Well, no, not really. It is necessary for this music.
Slayer does not use a small rinky-dink drum set, nor do I. You
see, Slayers albums, all have use of a big set. The only album
you could get away with some small, crappy 5-piece set is,
maybe, SHOW NO MERCY. From HAUNTING THE CHAPEL to GHUA, there is
NO WAY. So, any Slayer tribute that has any less than 11 pieces
of drums on that stage, had better stick to songs off SHOW NO
MERCY, less AGGRESSIVE PERFECTOR.

Javier: Tama and Paiste. That helps bring Slayer's music to life?

Mykill: Well, yeah! The TAMA (drums) part of the music is the
least detectable. It is real hard to listen to a cd and tell
what brands of drums are used. There are too many variables,
like, what heads are on the drums, mic placement, or what
effects and equalization are in the mix. TAMA are very strong,
look great, and stay adjusted. I have NOT screwed with my MTH
100 tom holders, since I bought them in '91! The MTH 900 is the
same way. The PAISTE (cymbals) part, there is a huge difference
between the sound of PAISTE and the other brands. PAISTE is the
best sounding cymbal you can get. If you ask me... there is no
other choice. Even if Slayer did not use them, I would. They
sound like no other and they are gorgeous to look at. I'd rather
buy these brands, forever, rather than ever get others for free,
actually. Fortunately Paul (Bostaph), and Dave (Lombardo) are
smart AND have good taste!

Javier: Have you seen or heard any other SLAYER tributes?

Mykill: Yeah.

Javier: Is Dead Skin Mask your first and only project?

Mykill: Yes and no. We (Dead Skin Mask) are about to start on
our own songs. DSM is, at least for now, the only one. I have
another one I"m currently assembling called Self Bias Resistor.
Obviously, it is a FEAR FACTORY tribute. Vocals are what I"ll do
in that one. As for my first, no. I wasted allot of time in
another useless endeavor. But something good came out of that
last nightmare, I found Romeo (DSM vocals) towards the latter
part of it. With out him, this (DSM) would probably not have
done one show, yet. Funny how sometimes good can come from a
very bad situation.

Javier: Do you stay in touch with past band-mates?

Mykill: "� About a year ago I talked with Bryan, back in
Connecticut, from Lost Soul"�

Javier: Aside from Bostaph and Lombardo, who made you want to
pick up a pair of sticks?

Mykill: Wow, there are allot. Probably the first drummer I
noticed, as a young kid, was Ron Bushy from Iron Butterfly.
Around that same time I discovered Ringo Starr. Years later,
when I was 12, Alex Van Halen found my ear. I used to see Buddy
Rich on The Tonight Show when I would be awake late. He amazed
me! He still does. Also Stewart Copeland was very interesting to
me. These were the drummers that forged my desire to become one
myself. Once I heard Slayer, well, I found an unheard of speed
that captivated me. There are so many more. Even today, I still
find new drummers that awe me.

Javier: The last one, tell me about this cd.

Mykill: Sure, 4 maybe 5 songs, out in 2005, clips will be on the
site, also in 2005, (http://www.deadskinmask.com) before it (cd)
is released.

Look for Dead Skin Mask, Slayer tribute band. They are very fast
and very good.

Javier Escandoza.

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Author : Javier Escandoza
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