Find more presales for shows in London, GB
Show Corrosion of Conformity presales in more places
Riff-resurrection with Corrosion of Conformity
Corrosion of Conformity came up in Raleigh's early 80s hardcore scene before sliding into swampy, groove-heavy metal.
From Hardcore to Heavy Groove
The key context now is drummer Reed Mullin's passing in 2020, with the band carrying on live with a tight, respectful approach that leans on pocket and feel. Expect a set that centers on Deliverance/Wiseblood era staples like Albatross, Clean My Wounds, and the venom of Vote with a Bullet alongside a deep cut such as Seven Days. The crowd skews mixed-age: longtime locals in sun-faded tees swap stories with younger doom fans comparing pedal boards, and everyone locks into the slow head-nod when the groove lands.Set Staples and Scene Notes
Trivia: the band once opened for Metallica in the 90s and used that run to road-test riffs that later grew into studio takes. Also, Mike Dean originally handled many vocals in the hardcore years before Pepper Keenan took more of the lead. You can hear their Carolinas roots in the swing of the riffs and the church-bell sustain they favor on open chords. Heads-up: song choices and staging details below are educated guesses based on prior tours.Corrosion of Conformity: The Scene Around the Riffs
The room fills with patched denim, work boots, and older Deliverance shirts beside fresh No Cross No Crown prints, a quiet handshake between eras.
Denim, Patches, and Patience
Pits break out in short bursts near the front, but most folks post up in a half-circle and nod along, saving their lungs for big hooks.Chants, Merch, and Rituals
Common chants are simple and percussive, with pockets of fans barking C-O-C between songs when the floor lights come up. Merch tables lean heavy on long-sleeve prints, embroidered patches, and tour-only vinyl variants, with a few trucker caps that sell fast. You will spot a mix of earplugs and phone cameras, but people tend to keep screens low once the solos start. Pre-show, fans trade stories about first seeing the band in small clubs or at festival side stages, and newer listeners ask which Wiseblood cut hits hardest live. The mood stays grounded and neighborly, more like a heavy community gathering than a spectacle, with shared respect for the songs carrying the night.Corrosion of Conformity: The Sound Under the Hood
Live, Pepper Keenan's sandpaper baritone rides on top of two guitars that trade between thick chords and single-note slides, keeping the songs breathing.
Groove First, Then Fire
Woody Weatherman often colors choruses with bright, bending lines while Mike Dean locks the low end with a gritty, fuzz-forward bass tone that feels almost like a third guitar. The band likes to drop tempos a hair compared to studio cuts so every cymbal wash and snare thud lands like a statement.Small Tweaks, Big Impact
They sometimes stretch the mid-section of Albatross into a loose jam, letting bass feedback bloom before snapping back into the refrain. A lesser-noted quirk: Mike Dean favors a pick for bite but will palm-mute and roll off tone to mimic a baritone guitar, which thickens riffs without crowding vocals. Expect simple, strong lighting cues that punch choruses and leave verses in warm, smoky tones so the ears lead. When the band revisits Vote with a Bullet, Pepper Keenan reshapes some phrasing from the Karl Agell era, tightening the cadence to fit his grainier delivery.If You Like Corrosion of Conformity
Fans of Clutch often click with Corrosion of Conformity's pocket-first riffs and bluesy swing that make even big rooms feel like bars.