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]
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
Shiki (2022)
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
^ ab"Mike Heller". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
^ abc"Mike Heller". Sick Drummer. October 6, 2007. Archived from the original on March 28, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
^"Mike Heller – Malignancy – Rehearsal Drum Cam". YouTube. October 22, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
^Childers, Chad (September 8, 2021). "David Ellefson Launches New Band The Lucid, Reveal First Song + Album Details". Loudwire. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
^ abc"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.
^"SWWAATS in Studio, Episode 2". YouTube. October 21, 2008. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
^"Mike Pistone – OKOSU – Carrion Feeders". YouTube. February 6, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
^ ab"Sick Drummer Magazine – NAMM 2011 – Mike Heller Interview". YouTube. January 20, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
^ ab"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.
^"Mike Heller Drums". Facebook. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
^"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.
^"KREATOR/Ex-DRAGONFORCE Bassist FRÉDÉRIC LECLERCQ Releases 'Hours' Music Video From AMAHIRU Project". Blabbermouth. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
^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.