Mike Heller

Mike Heller
Heller performing with Raven in 2023
Heller performing with Raven in 2023
Background information
Born (1982-01-17) January 17, 1982 (age 42)[1]
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres
OccupationDrummer
Years active2002–present[2]
Member of
Formerly of

Mike Heller (born January 17, 1982) is an American drummer known as a former member of the industrial metal band Fear Factory, member of the technical death metal band Malignancy,[3] the British heavy metal band Raven, and rock band The Lucid alongside bassist David Ellefson (ex Megadeth), guitarist Drew Fortier, and vocalist Vinnie Dombroski (Sponge).[4] Heller also formed the band System Divide[5] and is a session drummer with credits in many genres.[2]

Biography

Heller traces his musical and drumming influences across many genres, including gospel, Latin jazz and funk.[2] He has been known to incorporate these styles into his death metal compositions,[6] although they can be difficult to recognize when played at death metal tempos. Heller teaches current and aspiring extreme metal drummers[7][8] and writes columns for Sick Drummer magazine.[9] He is known as a talented linear player,[5] a style which involves the use of two or more limbs, with no two limbs playing the same thing at the same time.[9] Heller plays session drums[10] and has collaborated with artists in disparate styles.[8] He joined the Yonkers, New York-based technical death metal band Malignancy in 2003, replacing Roger J. Beaujard. In 2008, he started the band System Divide with the Aborted vocalist Sven de Caluwé and the ex-Distorted vocalist Miri Milman. Heller joined Fear Factory in 2012 after the departure of Gene Hoglan.[5][11] Heller performed on the 2020 debut album by Amahiru, a musical project led by Frédéric Leclercq and Saki.[12]

Discography

  • Heller with Fear Factory in 2013
    Fear Factory
  • Malignancy
  • Raven
    • Screaming Murder Death From Above: Live In Aalborg (2019)
    • Metal City (2020)
  • Abigail Williams
    • Walk Beyond the Dark (2019)
  • The Lucid
  • Aerosol
    • Murmurations (2021)
  • Amahiru
    • Amahiru (2020)
  • Black Hole Deity
    • Lair of Xenolich (2021)
  • Ol Drake
    • Old Rake (2015)
  • Gorepunch
    • Give Em Hell (2015)
  • Control/Resist
    • Gods By Design (EP) (2014)
  • System Divide
  • Success Will Write Apocalypse Across the Sky
    • The Grand Partition, and the Abrogation of Idolatry (2009)
  • Secrets She Kept
    • Le Fin Absolue du Monde (2011)
  • Azure Emote
    • The Gravity of Impermanence (2013)
    • The Third Perspective (2020)
  • The Cosmos
    • Imbecile (2013)
  • In the Fire
    • The Living Horror Show (2020)
  • Beneath
    • Ephemeris (2017)
  • Excommunicated
    • Death Devout (2018)
  • Kalopsia
    • Death Starts the Horror (2011)
    • Amongst the Ruins (2012)
  • Zillah
    • Not All of Me Shall Die / Man Son of Swine (2011)
  • Sigh

Heller has also recorded with bands and artists including Edei, Ryann, 208 Talks of Angels, Measure, Razorcult, Chikatillo, Pseudo Supremacy, Hollow, Death Dealer and Cryosaur.

References

  1. ^ a b "Mike Heller". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c "Mike Heller". Sick Drummer. October 6, 2007. Archived from the original on March 28, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  3. ^ "Mike Heller – Malignancy – Rehearsal Drum Cam". YouTube. October 22, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  4. ^ Childers, Chad (September 8, 2021). "David Ellefson Launches New Band The Lucid, Reveal First Song + Album Details". Loudwire. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "Mike Heller Confirmed As New Fear Factory Drummer". Sick Drummer. April 20, 2012. Archived from the original on June 21, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  6. ^ "SWWAATS in Studio, Episode 2". YouTube. October 21, 2008. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  7. ^ "Mike Pistone – OKOSU – Carrion Feeders". YouTube. February 6, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  8. ^ a b "Sick Drummer Magazine – NAMM 2011 – Mike Heller Interview". YouTube. January 20, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  9. ^ a b "SDM Lesson: Linear Drumming In a Death Metal Context". Sick Drummer. January 22, 2011. Archived from the original on July 6, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  10. ^ "Mike Heller Drums". Facebook. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  11. ^ "An Interview With Fear Factory". Tone Deaf Network. June 9, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
    - "Interview: Fear Factory Guitarist Dino Cazares Discusses Making 'The Industrialist,' Lineup Changes and Gear". Guitar World. May 16, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
  12. ^ "KREATOR/Ex-DRAGONFORCE Bassist FRÉDÉRIC LECLERCQ Releases 'Hours' Music Video From AMAHIRU Project". Blabbermouth. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  13. ^ Blabbermouth (December 23, 2022). "DAVID ELLEFSON's THE LUCID Collaborates With INSANE CLOWN POSSE's VIOLENT J On 'Saddle Up And Ride' EP". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved January 10, 2023.