EMQ with drummer Erez Yohanan of Amaseffer

What is your name? What do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?

Erez Yohanan. I play the drums.
I formed Amaseffer back in 2004. I started writing a concept album about the biblical story of Moses. I was looking for a guitar player, and Yuval Kramer joined me not long after. After a few months, a second guitar player, Hanan Avramovich, joined to complete the trio. Basically, we were together until SFL was released. Then we each went back to our families. In 2008, I started writing the new album When The Lions Leave Their Den, and it was supposed to be released around two years after the release of SFL, but then things started to drag, and many delays prevented it from happening.

Basically, the album was fully written as a pre-production demo version back in 2009, but then family and career commitments, personal reasons, kept delaying the completion of the album for many, many years- 18 years!

Eventually I completed the album myself, and today Yuval & Hanan are no longer a part of Amaseffer. I wanted them to be a part of it. I truly did; I waited for them all these years, but I guess they were not a part of it for many anymore, i just did not realise it until two years ago.

How did you come up with your band name?

The name is Hebrew phonetics for the English name of People of the Holy Book.

Am-Haseffer, but I took off the H so it will be easier to pronounce 🙂

What Country / Region are you from, and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?

I am from Israel. The Israeli metal scene is very strong with many, many metal bands from all genres. Many Israeli metal bands are doing well in the global metal scene.

 

What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)

On August 1st, I released the first single from the upcoming album. It is the title track. You can listen to it on all music streaming platforms and also on Amaseffer’s official YouTube page.

Who have been your greatest influences?

My parents asked what present I wanted for my 13th birthday…I said, “I want a gold chain with the name RUSH on it.” It was back in 1984. I am 55 years old today. But I was never writing music by influence; I wrote and still write whatever comes from my heart. I grew up in a family of musicians, so music was an integral part of my daily family life. From Mozart, Flamenco, Turkish, Rock, heavy rock, prog, movie soundtracks…all of these went into my subconscious toolbox when I became a musician as a teen and as an adult today.

What first got you into music?

1981, Tom Sawyer by Rush. My uncle played Moving Pictures to me when it just came out, and I was totally blown away by it. I will never forget this moment: he put on the vinyl, and Tom Sawyer was the first track…it was like getting hit by a train.

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?

I would love to produce Rush a new album with Anika

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

None. To me, the writing process, the production, the recording…that is the true essence of being a musician. I never wanted to be a rock star, play live, have groupies, and do endless touring. I like staying home, listening to music, writing music, and going to a nice restaurant. The whole playing live part was never a goal for me. That is why Amaseffer will not play live. Maybe one day, after the third chapter of the trilogy is released, I will make ONE live show playing all three albums.

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

A red balloon; it was weird, but very cute.

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

Cherish your loved ones and embrace life.

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

Chris Cornell

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

I love the writing and producing process. I hate mixing and preparing all the tracks for the mix 🙂

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

The crazy amount of money fans need to pay for a live show of their favorite bands. Ticket prices today are off the rails…not to mention VIP tickets, which is a pure robbery to pay $kkkk.

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

The Devil’s Hall Of Fame by Beyond Twilight.  To me, this album is the pinnacle of musicianship and vocal performance. Fin Zinler is a genius, and Jorn Lande is one of the best vocalists out there. Before I found the two new singers, I wanted Jorn to sing on Amaseffer’s new album, but his wife Christine said he is very busy. I tried to convince her many times, but he was too busy.

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?

Vinyl!!!

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

1992 – at the Roxen club with a funk metal band I played with. I was 21 years old and it was live on TV. I have a picture from this show. (see the attached picture). I will never forget that show!

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

A chef. I loveeee cooking. I was even on The MasterChef TV show a few years ago.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

Richie Blackmore, Johnny Depp , Gordon Ramsey, Tom Hardy, Neil DeGrasse Tyson

What’s next for the band?

I already started writing the third chapter of the trilogy. I have 3 songs done already, and I keep writing. I aim for a 2028 release…not 18 years 🙂 Yadin Moyal, the guy who recorded most of the guitars on the new album, is already recording some stuff for the new songs. The new album will have a darker mood.

What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people? Please include any links

Amaseffer has only Facebook and YouTube pages. I cannot handle more than that, I am not a social media guy. Other than that, you can find Amaseffer on all digital streaming platforms via DistroKid distribution.

https://www.youtube.com/@Amaseffer-Official

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAmaseffer

There’s a long-standing food-based debate here in the UK. And we’d like your help. So… A Jaffa cake – is it a cake or a biscuit? Discuss!

I love Jaffa cake; to me it is a biscuit! I loveeeeeee chocolate and orange mixed together

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Thank you for having me and giving me the opportunity to present Amaseffer.