Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich paid tribute online to fellow drummer Reed Mullin of the band Corrosion Of Conformity, who died on Monday (January 27th) at the age of 53.
Ulrich wrote on Instagram, “Reed…Thank you for the crazy good times we had together. Thank you for always having the biggest smile on your face. And thank you for the f**kin grooves and that pocket that was all your own…making Corrosion Of Conformity swing like nothing else! Rest In Peace brother.”
Mullin's bandmates confirmed his passing in a social media post Monday night, writing, “Reed, It's with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to a friend, a brother and pioneer. Love and condolences to the family, friends and fans who will miss you and thanks for the music.”
Mullin co-founded C.O.C., as they were known, in 1982 with bassist Mike Dean and guitarist Woody Weatherman. The band went through a number of personnel changes while evolving from a hardcore punk act into a heavy, Southern-tinged rock band, making them one of the key acts to bridge the gap between punk, metal and hard rock. They scored two rock radio hits in 1994 with “Albatross” and “Clean My Wounds” from the band's fourth LP, Deliverance.
Mullin had missed a number of shows in the past several years due to a variety of health and alcohol-related issues, including a seizure he suffered back in June 2016.
Other artists who paid tribute to Mullin online included members of Stone Sour, Faith No More, Anthrax, Megadeth, Lamb Of God, Machine Head and many other bands that rose out of the same underground scene in which Mullin and C.O.C. were pioneers.