On August 8th, 2017, New Orleans originating, alternative rock band known as Mutemath released an official statement on their Facebook page, written by lead vocalist Paul Meany, explaining that the beloved and exceptional drummer of the group, Darren King, would be leaving the band and “would no longer be performing with Mutemath.”
This statement shocked thousands of hardcore fans, who are currently anticipating the band’s fifth studio album, “Play Dead,” releasing September 8th this year, as well as the accompanying promotional tour, which will now see fellow New Orleans drummer David “Hutch” Hutchinson fill in for King.
Arguably one of the greatest drummers in modern alternative rock, King had been with Mutemath since the beginning, and has thus left behind his definitive mark on the band’s sonically varied discography. In honor of King’s departure, here are a handful of his greatest studio performances:
"Reset" from "Mutemath" (2006)
Without a doubt, “Reset” is the band’s most iconic and accessible instrumental track to date. With an exception to the other-worldly outro supported by the other members of the Nola four-piece, Darren King leads this track through punchfully executed rhythm, serving as the sonic command center for this monstrous five and a half minute track. At the near halfway point, the drums break away, and the electronic elements interweave throughout the remainder of the runtime, only for Darren to deliver a galloping change-up that ensures the spotlight remains on him.
"Armistice" from "Armistice" (2009)
A horn-backed delight of a title track, “Armistice” offers a faster-paced drumming element and slightly more aggressive percussion in comparison to some of the album’s softer or slower burning cuts. While the verses and choruses do showcase how King handles coexisting alongside a horn section, the final 45 seconds allow the world class drummer to prove his groove can playfully bounce with horns and strings, bringing the band’s post-rock influence front and center.
"Tell Your Heart Heads Up" from "Odd Soul" (2011)
The dirty, frantic atmosphere of the verses for “Heads Up” is due mainly to King’s masterful approach to delivering a beat that can be commanding but not too overbearing. He knows the right delivery doesn’t always need the most amount of punch. The track’s bridge proves this point further, as the listener’s attention is held by King’s precision and sharpness, rather than an outright attempt to slam his drumsticks as hard as he can.
"Stroll On" from "Play Dead" (2017)
With the album just around the corner, it only makes sense to highlight King’s sendoff work from the Mutemath project. The two promotional tracks from the upcoming release both show that Darren King has and always will put every ounce of his heart and soul into the music he makes. “Stroll On” gives us a sure-fire taste of what his final outing with Mutemath will deliver: an old school, traditional bounce and feel mixed with modern, electronic crunch and space. Pull back the production, and it is still distinguishable as Darren King’s handiwork gluing the various elements of Mutemath’s sonic components together.
Below is a paylist featuring these standout tracks and more. Though, with Darren King behind the drum kit, every track stands out from the vastness of modern competition, leaving many favorites missing from this list for sure! With hours of exceptional studio recordings, fans will be able to forever enjoy King’s musicianship. While he will be missed by not only the fans but his fellow bandmates, it only leaves us wondering what his next musical endeavors will be, how much it will blow us away, and what amount of gaffer-tape he will use to stick his headphones in place.
