In a surprising announcement, Bassist/vocalist Mike Dean has exited Corrosion of Conformity after forty years in the band he formed in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1982. Mike has led the band as lead vocalist during two separate stints as the lead vocalist and his distinctive bass style helped guide the band over the years. Citing the distance between band members, the death of co-founder Reed Mullin, and then some other factors have led Mike to step down. The split seems amicable with both the remaining members and wishing each others well. COC continues to make progress on recording their next album, due for release in 2025. The bands’ next gig is Lamb of God’s Headbanger’s Boat!Continue reading
Tag Archives: COC
RIP Saint Vitus Bar – The Home of Metal 2013-2024 and The Top 5 Shows (Nirvana, Against Me!)
Pour one out for Saint Vitus Bar, The Home of Metal (and more) 2013-2024. We share our feelings on the closing and also:
We ranked the Top Five Most Important Shows Ever at Saint Vitus Bar
Top 15 Shows Covered by Ghost Cult
Top Interviews we conducted there
Top 5 Special Events
ALBUM REVIEW: Fu Manchu – The Return of Tomorrow
Fu Manchu formed in 1985 as Hardcore-Punk outfit Virulence whose sole release 1988’s If This Isn’t A Dream… has been reissued by Southern Lord. After this came a name and musical style change reminiscent of Corrosion of Conformity who undertook a similar evolution themselves. Continue reading
Corrosion of Conformity Streams Their Cover Of “On The Hunt” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, New Tour Dates Incoming
Corrosion Of Conformity have released a cover of the Lynyrd Skynyrd track ‘On The Hunt’, taken from the illustrious Southern Rock band’s third studio album Nuthin’ Fancy, released in 1975. This cover version brings a singular C.O.C. swagger and sludge-laden groove to the classic track. This ‘On The Hunt’ cover lands shortly before C.O.C. kick-off their forthcoming three-week tour across the UK and Europe, set to include performances at Desertfest London, Desertfest Berlin, and Soulstone Gathering in Krakow. Watch the track video here:
PODCAST: Episode 207: Mike Dean of Corrosion of Conformity on Touring, a Drummer Change, and Their Next Album
We caught up with COC co-founder and bassist Mike Dean recently, as the band heads out on tour to end the year with Spirit Adrift and The Native Howl. We chatted about the tour, their last album No Cross, No Crown, a change at the drum throne for both the tour and the next album, Mike’s other bands, and more.
Ministry Shares a New Music Video “Sabotage is Sex” – ft. Jello Biafra
Ministry has shared a new music video for the song “Sabotage is Sex” from last years’ album Moral Hygene. The track and video features Jello Biafra, in his first music video appearance ever. Jello and Al Jorgenson had an industrial/punk side project in the late 1980s, LARD. Created by director Joel Smith of Mad Minute Productions (previous work includes Activision, Audi, Black Eyed Peas, U2, The X Games), you can watch the video now!
ALBUM REVIEW – Boss Keloid – Family The Smiling Thrush
Following up a breakthrough album, such as Boss Keloid’s last opus Melted On The Inch (Holy Roar) which finished at #4 in Ghost Cult’s Album of the Year poll in 2018, is a challenging proposition. Stray too far from the magic formula and you risk undoing that giant stride taken forwards (even without being a band that has always taken efforts to ensure development and evolution of their sound is a given); repeat the previous approach and accusations of diminishing returns, or playing it safe, abound along with an invariably inferior product. Continue reading
STREAMING CONCERT REVIEW: Down’s Quarter Century Throwdown
To celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of their now-iconic debut album NOLA (Elektra Records), the band Down originally planned a tour at select venues worldwide before a global pandemic shut down the normal cadence of life as any of us ever knew it for the foreseeable future. Not to be silenced on such a momentous occasion, the guys took to the stage at a private location instead to stream The Quarter Century Throwdown as a global virtual concert. Featuring vocalist Phil Anselmo, guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein, drummer Jimmy Bower and Pat Bruders on bass, the event aired live with two encore performances in the days following the livestream for ticket holders.
Listen to An Unreleased Track by Righteous Fool, “Low Blow”, Featuring Reed Mullin of Corrosion of Conformity
Rolling Stone is currently streaming a new, previously unreleased track by Righteous Fool. The band and the track featured Reed Mullin of Corrosion of Conformity, who passed away last month at age 53. Today would have been his 54th birthday. Righteous Fool also featured COC bassist Mike Dean, and guitarist Jason Browning, who all shared vocal contributions. The band released one two-song seven-inch in 2010. The track ‘Low Blow’ was recorded in 2011 at Studio 606 in the San Fernando Valley (Dave Grohl’s studio) with the intention to be included on a debut full-length that never came to fruition. The stream serves as a tribute to Mullin on what would have been his 54th birthday (February 12th). The project actually led to the trio era reunion of COC that eventually led to the reformation of the “classic” lineup with Pepper Keenan that has been back in action for several years. Listen to Reed drum and sing his ass off on ‘Low Blow’ now. Continue reading
The Music World Reacts to The Death of Reed Mullin of Corrosion of Conformity
We are still reeling from the devastating news we brought you last night of the devasting loss of Punk and Metal legend and drummer Reed Mullin of Corrosion of Conformity. While we gather our thoughts to prepare a proper tribute, the entire music world seems to have mobilized an outpouring of love for Reed and support for the C.O.C. family at this time. Here are some remembrances from across the music world right now of the life and times and of Reed. Continue reading