Mike Dean, the founding bassist of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, has exited the band. His involvement with the group spanned from 1982 to 1987, then from 1993 to 2006, and again from 2010 until now. Dean attributed his departure to the physical distance between him and his bandmates, as well as the challenge of creating new music after the 2020 death of founding drummer Reed Mullin.
He said in a statement: “Recently I made a decision to step away from CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, a band started 40 odd years ago by Reed Mullin, Woody Weatherman, and myself. I’m extremely proud of everything we’ve done together, and look forward to hearing more from the band going forward.
“When I rejoined COC for the finishing touches of the Deliverance album, I moved back to Raleigh, NC for an all-in creative campaign, but time, distance and side projects and life in general has changed all of that. Ever since Reed drifted away from the band and then passed way, it’s been difficult for me to collaborate on new material with bandmates who live hundreds of miles away.
“I look forward to putting together a new Raleigh based outlet to create new music with more alacrity and with more of an emphasis on my own ideas than in recent times. Also, I look forward to continuing to record and produce other artists. All the best to Woodroe, Pepper, and COC crew, and most importantly, many big thanks to the fans of all iterations of the band, who have made this real for all of these years. Salute!”
“PS Stay tuned here for links and more information.”
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY wrote in a separate statement: “We, Woodroe and Pepper, are in full support of Dean‘s future endeavors and wish him all the best in the quest. Thankful for the music made and (R)evolutionary paths created.
“That being said, this book of CORROSION is not finished, nor will the train stop. The opportunity to play music and create is something that we don’t take lightly, and we will not waver. New COC recording is well underway and will be released in 2025.
“Much love and respect to all the free thinkin’ beer drinkin’ friends and fans worldwide, looking to making more. Without you, we are just growing deaf in a garage. See you on the horizon. Stay tuned, stay heavy.”
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.