In a recent in-depth interview with music journalist Joel Gausten, former Corrosion of Conformity (C.O.C.) vocalist Karl Agell shared his experiences during the band’s transformative Blind era and paid tribute to the late drummer Reed Mullen. Agell, who joined C.O.C. in 1989 and was part of the band until 1993, was a key figure during one of the group’s most controversial yet pivotal times.
The Blind era marked a significant shift for C.O.C., as they moved from their hardcore roots into a more metal-driven sound. Agell acknowledged that the transition was met with some resistance from fans but explained that the band was confident in the direction they were heading. “There was definitely some blowback, but at the time we kind of knew we were on to something,” Agell noted. He discussed how he was exploring his identity as a vocalist and drew inspiration from a broad range of influences, including Motörhead, Thin Lizzy, Black Flag, and the Bad Brains. Agell emphasized that it wasn’t about choosing sides but rather about finding the most genuine impulses in his music.
Reflecting on his time in the band, Agell shared a vivid memory of attending a Prong concert, where he was struck by the raw power and intensity of their performance. This experience reinforced his belief in the direction C.O.C. was taking. “Holy fucking shit! This is awesome!” he recalled thinking. Agell admired how the band was able to fuse punk rock’s rebellious spirit with the heavy, blues-infused riffs that characterized their music during the Blind era.
In addition to discussing the band’s evolution, Agell spoke warmly about Reed Mullen, who passed away in 2020. Mullen was a beloved figure in the North Carolina underground music scene and a pivotal member of C.O.C. Agell described Mullen as a natural talent with an innate ability to bring people together. He was a crucial part of the hardcore/punk scene and left a lasting impact on everyone who crossed his path.
“He was just an incredible person that was able to realize a lot of things for a lot of people,” Agell said, highlighting Mullen’s influence beyond the music scene.“