Pete Sandoval

Pedro Rigoberto "Pete" Sandoval is a Salvadoran-born American death metal drummer.[1] His first significant stint as a drummer was for the grindcore band Terrorizer, formed in 1986, where he began to demonstrate some of his talent. Heavily influenced by the grindcore music around him, Sandoval quickly developed his abilities as a drummer with little formal training or musical education.[2]

Pete Sandoval
Background information
Also known asCommando, Pete the Feet
OriginSanta Ana, El Salvador
GenresDeath metal, grindcore, deathgrind
Occupation(s)Drummer
InstrumentsDrums, piano, keyboards
Years active1986–present
Associated actsMorbid Angel, Terrorizer

Career

In 1988, Sandoval was invited to join the death metal band Morbid Angel. Concurrently, the original lineup of Terrorizer was dissolved after the departures of Sandoval and guitarist Jesse Pintado (who subsequently joined Napalm Death).

Sandoval had never used two bass drums before joining Morbid Angel. He had to practice frequently in order to get his feet up to speed, and recorded the Altars of Madness album within only a couple of months of joining Morbid Angel. According to Morbid Angel guitarist Trey Azagthoth, the band would occasionally walk in on Sandoval passed out on the floor in a pool of sweat. After being woken up, he would immediately say, "Time to get back to work!"[3] After mastering the double-bass technique in Morbid Angel, Sandoval also implemented it in Terrorizer's World Downfall album when the band briefly re-united to record it.

According to former singer David Vincent, the band once played a prank on Sandoval by making him listen to a band that used a preprogrammed drum machine, and pretended it was a real drummer who could play faster than he could. Sandoval was gutted, and went on to practice until he managed to play faster than the machine.[4]

In 2010, he had to undergo surgery to repair a prolapsed disc. Not being able to play painlessly for an extended period for up to a year, he was replaced by Tim Yeung for the recording and touring of Morbid Angel's 2011 album Illud Divinum Insanus.[5]

In December 2013, David Vincent stated in an interview that Sandoval was no longer with Morbid Angel, citing incompatibility with the band after Sandoval's conversion to Christianity as the reason.[6]

In a 2014 interview, Sandoval said that his beliefs would not affect Terrorizer's music or lyrical content, explaining that his faith had given him a positive outlook on life.[7]

Sandoval explains that the reason for his split from Morbid Angel was not a religious matter, but having the time to recover from his back surgery which took much longer than he had expected, as the band would not wait for him to recover, thus prompting them to find a new drummer. He also mentioned that after the recording of Terrorizer's 2012 album Hordes of Zombies was when he converted to Christianity and his life started to change, crediting his mother and sister for their encouragement. Sandoval said that he would not have continued to perform in the band after his conversion due to his newfound religious differences with them. When asked if he misses performing with Morbid Angel, he said, "No, I don't. I don't miss it. I don't miss any of that."[8] His relationship with the band members is no longer existent without any negativity on both sides.[9]

Morbid Angel discography

Terrorizer discography

References
  1. Shteamer, Hank (1 October 2018). "Song You Need to Know: Terrorizer, 'Caustic Attack'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  2. Staff, Jam Addict (2019-09-12). "The Fastest Drummers of All Time". JamAddict. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  3. Mudrian, Albert (September 2004). Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal & Grindcore. Feral House. ISBN 978-1-932595-04-8.
  4. David Vincent interview in "Hard Rock Magazine" n°3, June 1995, p.31
  5. "Exclusive: Tim Yeung Talks About Playing With Morbid Angel". Sick Drummer Magazine. 2010-05-05. Archived from the original on 2010-05-09. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  6. "Interview: Dave Vincent of Morbid Angel". Invisible Oranges. 2013-12-15. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  7. "Former MORBID ANGEL Drummer PETE SANDOVAL Says His Christian Beliefs Will Not Affect TERRORIZER". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  8. "Former MORBID ANGEL Drummer PETE SANDOVAL: How 'I Fell In Love With God'". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  9. "PETE SANDOVAL No Longer Has a Relationship With MORBID ANGEL: 'I Don't Even Speak To Them'". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
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