Paul Mazurkiewicz, drummer of Cannibal Corpse, recently sat down with Pod Scum host Rexx Ruger for an interview, where he credited Slayer’s legendary drummer Dave Lombardo as the key influence behind his career.
When asked about his musical inspirations, Mazurkiewicz didn’t hesitate. “Slayer’s Dave Lombardo is my biggest influence, of course,” he said. “If it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.”
He went on to describe how Lombardo’s drumming shaped his own approach. “He’s the king of thrash, double bass, and all that,” Paul explained. “As a teenager, hearing him play in the mid-’80s—when I was just starting out—it really solidified the way I wanted to play. What he was doing then, and still does, was a huge part of my influence.”
Mazurkiewicz also reflected on the broader impact of the 1980s metal scene. “All those bands and influences from the mid-to-late ’80s—bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Slayer, and the thrash pioneers like Kreator and Dark Angel—really laid the groundwork for death metal and the kind of music we play in Cannibal Corpse,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming Lombardo’s lasting influence. “There were so many influential bands and drummers back then, but yeah, Lombardo would be my biggest one.”
Interestingly, Lombardo himself has cited his own set of inspirations, particularly when it comes to his pioneering double-bass technique. In a recent interview with Revolver, he explained, “I was already implementing those patterns with my legs or my feet. I was a big fan of Iron Maiden’s early works,” adding that Clive Burr’s drumming, especially his work on “Phantom of the Opera,” was a significant influence. Lombardo also pointed to Motörhead’s “Overkill” as a key moment that affirmed his double-bass trajectory.
Mazurkiewicz will bring his signature drumming style to the stage next year, as Cannibal Corpse embarks on their North American tour, kicking off on March 28 in Quebec City, Canada.