Corrosion Of Conformity Drummer Reed Mullin Dies At 53, Reactions Pour In

Reed Mullin, a drummer and co-founder of North Carolina-based heavy metal band Corrosion of Conformity died Monday at the age of 53, the band said in a statement.

“It’s with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to a friend, a brother and pioneer. Reed you are loved and always will be. Lets all take a moment...,” it said on Twitter.

Mullin co-founded the group in 1982 in Raleigh. Its other founders were singer Mike Dean and guitarist Woody Weatherman.

Mullin had a history of alcohol abuse but the exact cause of his death was not immediately known. He missed several shows in the past four years as he had taken a leave of absence from the band due to some health problems, Variety reported. Mullin reportedly suffered a seizure after consuming excessive amounts of alcohol on June 5, 2016 prior to the band’s show in Edmonton, Alberta, which led to his absence from the band.

In August 2019, Dean told Blabbermouth that Mullin needed "to take care of himself and get his sh--t together" prior to joining the band again.

Gerard Cosloy, an American music industry executive, referred to Mullin as “one of the absolute good guys in U.S.” He said he was “thinking about the bandmates, friends, family and fans” of Mullin after his death.

Alan Harrington, former Welsh footballer and friend of Mullin, mourned his loss. "Oh my god what’s happening with the drummers passing away my friend Reed Mullin from Corrosion of Conformity from Raleigh NC Died today,” he said on Twitter, calling him a “great guy.”