Martin Axenrot

Martin Axenrot
Birth name Erik Martin Axenrot[1]
Also known as Devastator, Skeleton[2]
Born March 5, 1979
Linköping, Östergötland, Sweden
Genres Progressive death metal, death metal, progressive rock, thrash metal, black metal, jazz fusion
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Drums, percussion, guitar
Years active 1995–present
Associated acts Opeth, Bloodbath, Witchery, Satanic Slaughter, NCO, Nifelheim, Nathalie Lorichs, Jon Lord
Website www.opeth.com trondheimexperiment.com

Erik Martin "Axe" Axenrot[1] (born March 5, 1979 in Linköping, Sweden) is a Swedish death metal drummer. Known for his intricate playing style, Axenrot is currently the drummer for the bands Opeth, Bloodbath and Witchery. Axenrot has been jokingly referred to as the The Lord of the Rings character Legolas by band members and fans. "He's kind of pretty, looks like Legolas," remarked Mikael Åkerfeldt who has also named him, "the most confused man I have ever met".[3]

On Blabbermouth.com Åkerfeldt also said that Axenrot completed his drumming part for eleven tracks on the Opeth album 'Watershed' in just seven days. ".[4]

Axenrot's girlfriend, Nathalie Lorichs, performed vocals on "Coil" on Opeth's Watershed album.

History

Martin Axenrot's first band, Triumphator, formed in 1995 and made 2 records (an EP "The Ultimate Sacrifice" and full length "Wings of Antichrist"). Martin Axenrot was only involved with Triumphator's demo "The Triumph Of Satan", released 1996. He left Triumphator after the release of "The Triumph Of Satan".

In 1999, he became a member of Witchery and Nifelheim. In 2004 he joined Bloodbath as their new drummer after Dan Swanö that continued in the band as one of the guitarist and songwriters. He met Mikael Åkerfeldt sometime after 15 February 2005, when Peter Tägtgren quit Bloodbath and Åkerfeldt came back into the band again to replace Tägtgren. Axenrot commented on meeting Åkerfeldt, stating "I knew Mikael Åkerfeldt because of the Bloodbath project. I met the other members a couple times because I played festivals with other bands at the same time as Opeth. Sweden is too small to not know every band here. Everybody knows everybody."[5] On 29 August 2005, Martin Lopez of Opeth, had to leave the band temporarily again due to his illnesses. With Opeth temporarily searching for a drummer, Patrik Jensen suggested to Åkerfeldt his bandmate in Witchery, Axe, to fill-in. With Åkerfeldt knowing Axe for a little bit by being bandmates in Bloodbath back then, but going on Jensen's reference, Åkerfeldt got Axe to play with Opeth for five tours. On May 12, 2006, Axenrot officially joined Opeth, as Lopez never returned to Opeth after deciding to focus on Soen.[6]

Equipment

Axenrot is endorsed by DW Drums, Sabian cymbals, Evans heads and Pro Mark sticks.[7]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Erik Martin Axenrot (1979-03-05). "Ratsit - Gratis upplysning pЕ fЖretag och privatpersoner". Ratsit.se. Retrieved 2011-10-02.
  2. "Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives - Triumphator". The Metal Archives. Retrieved 2011-10-02.
  3. TK Dallman, October 14, 2008. "Opeth is breaking the metal mould". Interrobang, Retrieved on August 4, 2009
  4. "Interview with Opeth drummer Martin Axenrot". Drummerszone.com. Retrieved on August 10, 2011.
  5. "Opeth’s Martin Axenrot Weighs in on "Heritage," Opeth's Current and Future Direction and His Career". Metal Underground. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  6. "Martin 'Axe' Axenrot". MetalStorm, Retrieved on August 4, 2009
  7. "Opeth website". Roadrunner Records. Retrieved 14 August 2012.

External links