Back in February, Sepultura announced the departure of drummer, Eloy Casagrande. Casagrande, who yesterday was announced as the newest member of Slipknot, took to social media today to share the following message:
Says Eloy: “It’s an exciting moment. Unthinkable until then. There is nothing to lose, there is nothing to win. There is just living. We’re here as one.Thank you Slipknot for trusting me. Thanks all the maggots and fans around the world.See you on the road. Here comes more pain. ”
Today (April 30), the band took to social media to post a new promo photo of its nine members in their classic red jumpsuits and masks, resembling an iconic photo taken in 1999. In the photo, the band tagged eight of its nine members – one of whom has been revealed to be Eloy Casagrande.
Eloy Casagrande – the former drummer of Brazilian metal icons Sepultura – has now been confirmed as Slipknot’s new drummer. Casagrande made his debut with the band last week during a last-minute intimate club show at the Pappy + Harriet’s barbecue bar in California on April 25.
The surprise gig had been announced one day prior to the show date on April 24. Over the weekend, they headlined the Sick New World festival in Las Vegas.
During the intimate set, the band donned their classic red jumpsuits that they had worn in 1999 during their debut. Several of the band’s original members also donned throwback masks, while newer members revealed new masks.
Eloy Casagrande’s quick reveal as Slipknot’s drummer comes as a surprise to longtime fans who have followed the band through their numerous line-up changes dating back to 2013.
Typically, the band have been very secretive about their new members’ identities, usually letting internet sleuths uncover identities rather than just revealing it on their own.
So far, only one member of Slipknot have not had their identity confirmed or revealed. Their new keyboardist and sampler’s identity still remains a mystery after he replaced longtime member Craig Jones last year.
Eloy Casagrande had been heavily speculated to be former Sepultura percussionist Eloy Casagrande since he announced his departure from the Brazilian band earlier this year.
Shortly after, Slipknot hinted at the latest addition to the line-up with a post in March, sharing a picture of a single broken drumstick with the caption ‘Rehearsal’.
Last week’s intimate gig marked Slipknot’s first concert with Casagrande following the shocking firing of Jay Weinberg late last year. The intimate gig came after percussionist and founding member Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan told NME that the band are “going back to basics” this year to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
“We’re going back to basics. I’m ready to kick everybody in the face again! I’m ready to do a 100-person venue again! I’m ready to do a 500-person venue…”
They will also be returning to the UK this winter to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their self-titled debut album. Visit here for remaining tickets.
Speaking to NME about what Slipknot have planned for 2024, Crahan said: “I’m ready to move on from what has been, and move onto a world that I know needs to be. For instance, normally we’d have about two years on and one-and-a-half years off — we’re not doing that anymore.”