Mike Heller

Mike Heller (born January 17, 1982) is an American drummer known as a member of the industrial metal group Fear Factory, 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]

Mike Heller
Heller performing with Fear Factory in 2013
Background information
Born	(1982-01-17) January 17, 1982 (age 41)^[1] Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres	Technical death metal jazz funk Latin pop rock heavy metal industrial metal death metal groove metal alternative metal
Occupation(s)	Drummer
Years active	2002–present^[2]
Member of	Fear Factory The Lucid Raven

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

• Fear Factory
  • Genexus (2015)
  • Aggression Continuum (2021)
• Malignancy
  • Inhuman Grotesqueries (2007)
  • Eugenics (2012)
  • Epilogue (2014)
  • Malignant Future EP (2016)
  • Intrauterine Cannibalism Re-Recording (2019)
• Raven
  • Screaming Murder Death From Above: Live In Aalborg (2019)
  • Metal City (2020)
• Abigail Williams
  • Walk Beyond the Dark (2019)
• The Lucid
  • The Lucid (2021)
  • Saddle Up and Ride (2023)^[13]
• 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)
• Slipknot
  • Untitled Album (2024)
• System Divide
  • The Collapse (EP) (2009)
  • The Conscious Sedation (2010)
  • Ephemera (2012)
• 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
  • 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

1. "Mike Heller". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
2. . 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. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
4. Childers, Chad. "David Ellefson Launches New Band The Lucid, Reveal First Song + Album Details". Loudwire. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
5. . Sick Drummer. April 20, 2012. Archived from the original on June 21, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
6. "SWWAATS in Studio, Episode 2". YouTube. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
7. "Mike Pistone – OKOSU – Carrion Feeders". YouTube. February 6, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
8. "Sick Drummer Magazine – NAMM 2011 – Mike Heller Interview". YouTube. January 20, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
9. . 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.