In a recent conversation with Chris Akin of the Classic Metal Show, Corrosion of Conformity founding guitarist Woody Weatherman opened up about the significant shifts within the band’s lineup over the last few years. The veteran musician touched upon the emotional weight of losing co-founding drummer Reed Mullin in 2020 and the more recent, unexpected exit of longtime bassist and vocalist Mike Dean in September 2024. Reed Mullin, who helped form Corrosion of Conformity in 1982 alongside Woody Weatherman and Mike Dean, had dealt with various health struggles prior to his passing, yet his loss remains a profound moment for the group.
“Reed and I went to high school together and all that kind of stuff,” Woody Weatherman told Chris Akin (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “And that was around the time we started the band with Mike. So it’s heavy, losing a brother like that. The one thing about losing Reed, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. He had health issues and stuff, but it’s still really tough. And he wasn’t actually traveling with us. The band was in Australia at the time of his passing, and it hit us heavy. ‘Cause we were over there playing shows.”
The spirit of the late drummer reportedly loomed large during the sessions for the band’s newest release, the April 2026 double album titled Good God / Baad Man. While the drum tracks were handled by the highly respected Stanton Moore, Woody Weatherman noted that there were moments in the studio where it felt as though his old friend was still contributing to the creative process.
“One thing about Reed I’ll mention was making this record [Corrosion of Conformity‘s recently released album Good God / Baad Man] with [drummer] Stanton [Moore], there was just so many times where when we were recording the drums, we were in the studio, we were looking at each other, and it was, like, ‘Man, that little lick that Stanton just did, it sounds like something just like what Reed would do.’ I don’t know whether it was Stanton giving his nod to Mullin, ’cause Stanton is fantastic in his own right, but it just sort of felt like Reed was there with us, even though he wasn’t physically there. So he’s hanging around. I don’t know if he’s laughing at us, giving us the middle finger or the thumbs up, but he’s hanging around.” Woody shared.
Beyond the legacy of Reed Mullin, the band had to navigate the sudden departure of Mike Dean in late 2024. At the time, Corrosion of Conformity was preparing to focus on the recording of their new material. Mike Dean‘s exit was amicable, driven by a desire to focus on his own studio production work and local projects in Raleigh, North Carolina, but the timing caught his bandmates off guard.
“Well, it was a shock to us, ’cause we were getting ready to buckle down and do the record. And [Mike] made the decision [to leave]. It was an amicable deal. We’re bros. But he’s got a studio and he wanted to spend more time in his production work, and he produces bands. And he’s got another music project he’s working on. And I’m sure it was a tough decision for him, but it was a surprise to Pepper [Keenan, Corrosion of Conformity guitarist/vocalist] and I, ’cause we were already talking about the record and making plans and stuff. But, man, things like that happen sometimes. People wanna move in a direction, and more power to Mike. He’s an amazing musician. It was tough to have him pull out of the band, but we got Bobby Rock in the mix now,” Woody explained.
Bobby “Rock” Landgraf, known for his work with Down and as a tech for Pantera, has stepped in to fill the vacancy on bass. While primarily a guitarist, Bobby “Rock” Landgraf has brought a new rhythmic foundation to the group that differs from Mike Dean‘s legendary “beast-like” style. According to Woody Weatherman, the new bassist focuses heavily on locking in with the kick and snare to provide a rock-solid foundation for the songs.
“And he’s another one of those guys that’s like a true musician. Kind of like Mike, he actually knows what notes he’s playing and what keys. And Bobby, he’s a guitar player first, really, but he’s an amazing bass player. But differs in his approach to how… He wants to lock in rock solid with the drums. That’s his approach, being on the bass. He’s, like, ‘I’m gonna play and I’m gonna lock in with the drummer.’ And so that’s his approach. And Mike had a slightly different approach. He attacked the bass like a beast. And Bobby does as well, but he’s more locked in to that kick-snare, and he wants to make it rock solid. So that’s a slightly different vibe,” he said.
Despite the change, the door remains somewhat open for the future. When asked by Drew Stone of “The New York Hardcore Chronicles Live!” last October if he would ever return to the fold, Mike Dean responded: “Never say never. Never say never. Yeah, it’s possible. I’m not opposed to it. It just seemed too cumbersome to make new music. They managed to make some new music [since my exit], so I’m glad for them. And I think their record’s gonna sound good.”
In his original departure statement, Mike Dean cited the difficulty of collaborating across long distances and a desire to pursue a Raleigh-based outlet for his own ideas. He offered his best wishes to Woodroe, Pepper, and the crew, thanking the fans for their years of support. In response, Pepper Keenan and Woody Weatherman issued a joint statement supporting his future endeavors while making it clear that “this book of Corrosion is not finished, nor will the train stop.”
The result of this transition, Good God / Baad Man, arrived in April via Nuclear Blast. The 14-song collection was produced by the Grammy Award-winning Warren Riker, who has previously worked with the Fugees, Down, and Cathedral. The recording sessions spanned several locations, including Blak Shak Studios in Mississippi, Dockside Studios in Louisiana, and even the home studio of Barry Gibb in Miami. To round out the new era of the band, Corrosion of Conformity officially welcomed drummer Nick Shabatura to their ranks this past March, ensuring the group remains a formidable force on the road.
