Heller traces his musical and drumming influences across many genres, including gospel, Latin jazz and funk.[1] He has been known to incorporate these styles into his death metal compositions,[5] although they can be difficult to recognize when played at death metal tempos. Heller teaches current and aspiring extreme metal drummers[6][7] and writes columns for Sick Drummer magazine.[8] He is known as a talented linear player,[4] a style which involves the use of two or more limbs, with no two limbs playing the same thing at the same time.[8] Heller plays session drums[9] and has collaborated with artists in disparate styles.[7] He joined the Yonkers, New York-based technical death metal band Malignancy in 2003, replacing Roger J. Beaujard. In 2008, he started the band System Divide with the Aborted vocalist Sven de Caluwé and the ex-Distorted vocalist Miri Milman. Heller joined Fear Factory in 2012 after the departure of Gene Hoglan.[4][10] Heller performed on the 2020 debut album by Amahiru, a musical project led by Frédéric Leclercq and Saki.[11]
Heller has also recorded with bands and artists including Edei, Ryann, 208 Talks of Angels, Measure, Razorcult, Chikatillo, Pseudo Supremacy, Hollow, Death Dealer and Cryosaur.
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