Corey Taylor on Why Slipknot Chose Eloy Casagrande as Their New Drummer

Vocalist explains why the brazilian drummer was the perfect choice to replace Jay Weinberg.

By Atticus Novak

Jun 27, 2024

Eloy Casagrande was the only drummer bold enough to audition in person for Slipknot, setting him apart from other candidates.
Corey Taylor revealed that Eloy’s commitment and hunger to jam face-to-face immediately impressed the band.
Slipknot is celebrating the 25th anniversary of their debut album with a tour featuring Eloy’s insane drumming.

The Gist

Slipknot’s decision to bring in Eloy Casagrande, formerly of Sepultura, as their new drummer has sparked plenty of chatter. Let’s be honest—watching his relentless, jaw-dropping drum videos circulating online, it’s hard to argue they didn’t find their guy. This wasn’t some half-baked hire; it was earned.

Speaking to Revolver, Corey Taylor peeled back the curtain on how Eloy stood out in the selection process. And not in some TikTok-filtered way. While most candidates chose the “send a video and hope for the best” route, Eloy was the only one willing to step into the same room as the band. Imagine that—a real, in-person audition in 2024. Groundbreaking stuff, huh?

“We kinda just said, ‘Let’s tell people already.’ Eloy was the only one brave enough to meet us face-to-face. A bunch of others sent videos, like some kind of TikTok audition tape. That’s not how this band works, dude.

“Eloy rearranged his entire schedule to come jam with us. That hunger, that commitment—it grabbed our attention immediately. It wasn’t an instant decision, though. Getting to know him mattered just as much as hearing him play. By the time we made the call, it was clear: ‘This is the guy.’ Instead of dragging it out, we decided to just tell everyone. He’d earned it.”

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Eloy Casagrande earns his place as Slipknot’s drummer after showing commitment and auditioning face-to-face.

Let’s pause here. Imagine receiving a call from Slipknot—the actual Slipknot—and thinking, “You know what? I’ll just send in a video. That’ll do.” Really? That’s like getting a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s factory and opting for a Zoom tour instead. Eloy’s move wasn’t just bold—it was smart. He stepped up, and now he’s sitting behind one of the most famous drum kits in modern metal.

Meanwhile, Jay Weinberg has landed comfortably with Suicidal Tendencies, and Greyson Nekrutman—their former drummer—is pounding the skins with Sepultura. Somehow, this game of musical chairs managed to leave everyone in a better spot. A rare win-win-win in the chaos of the music world.

Eloy Casagrande ‘SIC’ (Slipknot) Live Drum Cam

As for Slipknot, they’re not just coasting on Eloy’s skills. The band is currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of their debut album. If you’re lucky enough to catch one of their upcoming shows, you’ll see Eloy absolutely decimate those drums live. Tour dates are plentiful, so unless you’re living under a rock, there’s no excuse to miss it.