Eric Morotti is the drummer of Suffocation, one of the most influential death metal bands of all time.
But off stage, he treats drumming like a sport and his body like an instrument.In this Gym Rock Crew Interview, Eric breaks down how he trains on and off tour, why sobriety changed everything for him, and how fitness directly impacts his performance behind the kit.
It takes an athlete to play drums
Eric doesn’t separate music and fitness.
To him, drumming requires conditioning, endurance, coordination, and recovery just like any other high performance sport.
He explains how tempo, breathing, and rhythm in the gym directly translate to control and stamina on stage.
He shares his breathing techniques to keep his heart rate low & performance high on stage.
Eric listens to dubstep among other genres at the gym and says he loves training legs.
Core and Cardio at the end of every workout
Cardio isn’t optional when you’re playing extreme metal.
Eric talks about walking, treadmill work, and staying active even when lifting takes priority.
He explains how better conditioning allows him to play harder without gassing out mid set.
In this interview he describes how he balances drumming with workouts to prevent injuring himself.
I stopped drinking and got super shredded
Eric openly shares his sobriety journey and why quitting alcohol was a turning point.
He built momentum once alcohol was removed and made the decision public to keep him accountable.
This part of the conversation goes deep into the effects of removing alcohol on his body like more energy, fat burn, dopamine and mental clarity.
In the interview he says, “You’re like, “What? I didn’t know I could live like this. I thought I had to drink to get this feeling”
The gym taught me the 3 Ds
Eric talks about how routine at the gym taught him to push through tough times on tour and in life.
He talks about how just showing up when he doesn’t feel like it, helps him overcome potential frustration.
The 3Ds he talks about in this interview are his mantra.
After show pizza? Yay… No!
Eric talks about nutrition on tour, relying on protein shakes instead of riders, and traveling with supplements to support sleep and recovery.
The conversation touches on NAC, magnesium, melatonin, zinc, and why sleep is non negotiable for performance.
He shares his secret hack for getting good quality sleep when it gets noisy in tour bandwagons.
Eric avoids after-show pizza and talks about his easier, cheaper alternatives to staying healthy on the road.
Your partner either supports your growth or holds you back
One of the most real parts of the interview.
Eric explains why having a partner who shares similar values around health and fitness matters.
He talks about surrounding yourself with people who represent your future, not your past and why environment determines success more than motivation.
You only notice the thing that you’re working on the most in the mirror
Social media, body image, and bigorexia come up toward the end of the interview.
Eric explains why he prioritizes how he feels over looks but also battles with internal thoughts due to social media.
This entire interview is a goldmine for drummers & musicians who are looking to improve their performance & extend their career on the road.
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