Mike Smith (musician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other people by this name, see Michael Smith.

Mike Smith is a death metal drummer of African-American origin. He is known for his work with the death metal band Suffocation. He performed on their 1990 demo Reincremated, the 1991 EP, Human Waste, their 1991 debut album Effigy of the Forgotten, and their 1993 album Breeding the Spawn. He then departed from the band and was subsequently replaced by drummer Doug Bohn. He then returned when the band reformed in 2002 after a four-year hiatus and performed on their 2004 release, Souls to Deny and 2006 self-titled album. In all of Suffocations albums that feature Mike Smith you can hear the blast beat style that many death metal bands use. Mick Harris of Napalm Death is credited as coining the term 'blast beat." This beat can be heard in other bands such as Immolation, Nile, Emperor, and Morbid Angel.

Mike Smith also lent his drumming skill to the song "Dawn of a Golden Age" on Roadrunner United: The All Star Sessions.