Watch: CORROSION OF CONFORMITY Performs With New Touring Drummer NICK SHABATURA For First Time

Drummer Nick Shabatura made his live debut with CORROSION OF CONFORMITY on April 7 at Hell at The Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia. Fan-filmed video of the concert can be seen below (courtesy of the YouTube channel AmyMeacham).

Shabatura, who has previously played with DESECRATE THE HOUR and the Chicago-based NIRVANA tribute band SMELLS LIKE NIRVANA, landed the C.O.C. gig at the recommendation of ANTHRAX/PANTERA drummer Charlie Benante.

The Masquerade marked the first show of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's North American headlining tour with support provided by WHORES and CROBOT. The journey commenced with a pair of headlining shows on April 7 and April 8 in Atlanta and Greensboro, respectively, with WHORES. From there, the band headed to Sayreville on April 9 to join CLUTCH for a run of dates through May 3 in Asheville (with additional support by JD Pinkus). CORROSION OF CONFORMITY reconvenes with WHORES on May 5 in Toronto and May 6 in Montreal with CROBOT joining the caravan for all remaining dates through May 16 in New Orleans.

In a recent interview with Shawn Ratches of Laughingmonkeymusic, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist Woody Weatherman spoke about the band's latest two additions, Shabatura and bassist Bobby "Rock" Landgraf. Regarding how Bobby ended up joining the group, Woody said: "[We were] buddies. [He's] just a great friend. We know he's a fantastic musician. His main instrument's a guitar, but he's pretty prolific on that four-string too. And, of course, he had worked with [CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocalist Pepper] Keenan in DOWN before. Kirk [Windstein] couldn't make some [DOWN] tours, and Bobby stepped in as the second guitarist in DOWN. And we had played shows with Bobby's other band, HONKY, [his] long-running band. So we knew him. And we know we get along. And that plays a big part in it too. You don't wanna get somebody in there that you don't get along with. That wouldn't work… [We also want] somebody that's familiar with road travel, 'cause that's a big part of what we do. We're kind road dogs. We're getting ready to do that again coming up. We're gonna be out for quite a while. So it's important."

Woody went on to say that Shabatura "is gonna be the touring drummer" for CORROSION OF CONFORMITY. "[He's] a fellow out of Chicago who was recommended by Charlie Benante [ANTHRAX and PANTERA drummer]." Referencing drummer Stanton Moore, who played on CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's 2005 album "In The Arms Of God" and laid down the drum tracks for C.O.C.'s recently released double album, "Good God / Baad Man", Woody continued: "We played Stanton some of [Nick's] stuff he was doing, and Stanton was, like, 'That's your guy for the road. He's awesome.' And Nick came down a week or two ago and we did some rehearsing and it was awesome. So we're set. We never would've heard of Nick if not for Charlie bringing it up. So hats off to Charlie for sending him our way."

Earlier in March, Moore gave Shabatura's addition to CORROSION OF CONFORMITY his blessing, writing on social media: "I approve this message! I went by rehearsals in Riffississippi the other day to meet and hang with Nick. He is an amazing drummer and a super cool guy. He showed up having completely done his homework and already sounds great playing with the band.

"The plan was always for me to make this record with the guys and then to find somebody to do the touring. Well, we found the guy and he is Nick Shabatura! Thanks Charlie Benante for the recommendation".

"Good God / Baad Man" came out on April 3 via Nuclear Blast. Produced by Grammy Award winner Warren Riker (FUGEES, DOWN, CATHEDRAL) and featuring cover art by famed New Orleans artist Scott Guion, the LP was recorded at Blak Shak Studios in Riffissippi, USA, Dockside Studios in Maurice, Louisiana, and BEE GEES legend Barry Gibb's home studio in Miami, Florida.

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's first four albums left a permanent mark on headbangers, longhairs, and street punks everywhere: Underground classics "Eye For An Eye" (1984) and "Animosity" (1985) followed by slightly more overground bangers "Blind" (1991) and "Deliverance" (1994). By the time CORROSION OF CONFORMITY carved off "No Cross No Crown" nearly a quarter century later, they were legends in their own time, revered by two generations of punk, metal, and rock fans.