Each week, we go on a search for some of the hardest hitting and brutalest heavy metal we can find. In this weeks edition of Voices of Metal, we turn away from the guitar and turn towards the brutal stylings of Suffocation’s bass player Derek Boyer. From Long Island, New York – Suffocation has defined itself as a high-intensity, blisteringly fast explosion of orchestrated sound.

Why did you choose to be a bass player?
“I started out playing guitar as a teenager with a major thrash influence. I initially switched to bass because there were no good bassists around. Immediately fell in love with playing bass because the instrument was so percussive and dynamic! Locking in with your drummer and providing a solid foundation is what it’s all about!”
How did you come to be in Suffocation?

“I became friends with the guys in Suffocation back in the mid ’90s. When Suffocation bowed out of the industry in 1998, everyone was shocked. They reformed after a 5 year hiatus and it was so great to see Suffocation back in the game! At the time I was performing with Vital Remains and we co-headlined the 2003 Milwaukee Metal Fest with Suffocation. After we closed out the show they pulled me aside and asked me if would be interested in joining. It was such an honor to be asked to play with one of my favorite bands! I accepted the offer and the rest is history!”
Your sound has some serious intensity and brutality, which basses, amps and pickups do you use to get your tone?
“I love my sound! It starts with fresh strings and my 18-volt Seymour Duncan active electronics!!! I play a custom handmade American B.C. Rich Warlock bass. Below are my live and studio setups.”
LIVE– “The only thing between my bass and my amplifier is a Tech21 SansAmp Bass DI (great tool!). I am currently using KUSTOM Amplification’s Groove 1300 HD amps with the G-810H cabinets (10 inch speakers are a must, they’re faster and tighter than larger speakers). The last trick is that I use 2 signals. Example: I use the SansAmp direct output to supply the compressed lower frequencies and I use a Sennheiser 421 microphone on a cabinet to provide the attack and dynamics of my finger style.”
STUDIO– “As for recording or writing in a studio environment I use Studio Devil’s Virtual Bass Amp Pro. It’s by far the best computer based product I’ve ever used! Whether you’re going for a compressed glassy tube sound or something completely different, you can really get whatever tone you’re looking for. Check it out! Really another great tool!”

For more information on Suffocation, visit: http://www.suffocation.us/