Ben Koller
A human blast furnace behind the kit, whose explosive precision and creative fury powered some of modern metal's most inventive bands.
Born 1980 (age 46)·American drummer·Birthday: July 29·Generation X
Biography
Ben Koller operates as the relentless, rhythmic engine for some of the most technically demanding and sonically aggressive music in heavy music. With a style that merges hardcore punk's raw speed with heavy metal's complex density, he first gained major attention as the drummer for the revered hardcore outfit Converge. In that role, his chaotic yet meticulously controlled patterns became a defining element of the band's sound, providing a foundation for their emotional and musical extremity. Beyond that core commitment, Koller's versatility shines in side projects like the hard-rocking Mutoid Man, where his playing reveals a sly sense of groove and classic rock flair. His approach—a whirlwind of double-kick fury, off-kilter fills, and surprising textural choices—has made him a benchmark for a generation of drummers who value both brute force and artistic ingenuity.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Ben was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ben Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Ben's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Has been the primary drummer for the influential metalcore band Converge since the early 2000s, appearing on landmark albums like 'Jane Doe' and 'All We Love We Leave Behind.'
- Co-founded the rock band Mutoid Man with Stephen Brodsky of Cave In, showcasing a more melodic and riff-oriented side of his playing.
- Performed and recorded as a member of the supergroup Killer Be Killed, featuring members of Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and Soulfly.
- His drumming style is frequently cited for its blend of extreme speed, creative fills, and precise technical execution.
Did You Know?
He is known for his distinctive mustache and often wears a protective face shield while drumming.
Before joining Converge full-time, he was a member of the hardcore band Force Fed Glass.
He is an avid visual artist and has designed merchandise and artwork for his bands.
Koller is left-handed but plays a right-handed drum kit setup.
“My job is to hit things as hard and as fast as possible.”
