Former Sepultura drummer Eloy Casagrande<\/b> shares his reasons for leaving the band after 12 years to join Slipknot.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Brazil’s Veja S\u00e3o Paulo, he went into more detail about the audition process, the emotional complexity of his decision, and the excitement of starting a new chapter in his musical career.<\/p>\n \r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n
Former Sepultura drummer Eloy Casagrande recently shared the details of his decision to leave the band and join Slipknot.<\/b><\/p>\n
At 33 years old, Casagrande had been with Sepultura for 12 years before making this significant change.<\/p>\n
In a recent interview with Brazil’s Veja S\u00e3o Paulo, Casagrande shared that the opportunity to audition for Slipknot came in December, shortly after Sepultura announced their 40th-anniversary farewell tour.<\/p>\n
“They asked me to record and send them some videos from right here in Brazil,<\/i>” Casagrande explained.<\/p>\n
“Initially there were three songs, then they asked me for three more, and asked if I had any plans to go to the United States. I was scheduled to perform there in January with my instrumental music project, Casagrande & Hanysz. So they moved my flight up a bit, and I spent five days in Palm Springs, rehearsing with the full band.<\/i>”<\/p>\n
The audition process was intense and demanding<\/b>. Casagrande described being kept in the dark initially, signing a non-disclosure agreement, and receiving a list of 32 songs to learn just four days before his trip to the United States.<\/p>\n
“When I got there, they gave me a setlist on the first day, which had some songs I didn\u2019t know either, but we went out playing. On the first day, I was very nervous because the band was complete, and it\u2019s quite an impact to see the guys there in front of you. It’s a band I’ve been listening to since I was a teenager.<\/i>”<\/p>\nTransition From Sepultura to Slipknot<\/h2>\n
Casagrande’s confirmation as Slipknot’s new drummer came after an extensive approval process involving all nine band members.<\/p>\n
“Slipknot is made up of nine musicians, so there are many spheres and layers, and they needed everyone\u2019s approval before they gave me the okay. I think it was on February 5th or 6th that I received confirmation that I had passed the test.<\/i>”<\/p>\n
As expected, Casagrande’s decision to leave Sepultura was not easy<\/b>. “The big thing, the reason I agreed to audition, was the end of Sepultura. The band was going to break up, and I didn\u2019t want to stop playing drums at the age of 33<\/i>,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I told Sepultura my decision when I had closed the deal with Slipknot on February 5th or 6th. That very day I called a meeting and explained the situation. That was it, an individual decision.<\/i>”<\/p>\nAdjusting to Slipknot’s Unique Style and Performing with a Mask<\/h2>\n
Playing with Slipknot presented new challenges for Casagrande, including performing with a mask and make-up<\/b>.<\/p>\n
“The first big change when wearing a mask is mental. It’s another persona in there. The mask has life. If someone else puts it on, it won’t be the same. I created it together with Shawn [Crahan, Slipknot percussionist and co-founder] \u2014 we worked out the design together \u2014 so it’s a combination of Slipknot and my personality.<\/i>”<\/p>\n
Physically, playing with a mask was less challenging than Casagrande expected<\/b>.<\/p>\n
“It gets hot because it’s full of foam, so I get very sweaty. But there’s a good space to breathe. Before the first performance, I was rehearsing with a mask made for athletes, which simulates altitude. It has several valves and covers the nose and mouth, restricting breathing. This helped me play more calmly.<\/i>”<\/p>\nCasagrande’s First Performances with Slipknot<\/h2>\n
Casagrande made his debut with Slipknot on April 25<\/b> at an intimate show at Pappy + Harriet’s in Pioneertown, California.<\/p>\n
The surprise gig was announced just a day before the show date. Later that week, Slipknot headlined the Sick New World festival in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
For these performances, Slipknot adopted a classic look<\/b>, bringing back their 1999 red jumpsuits and elements of their early masks, celebrating the band’s 25th anniversary.<\/p>\n
After parting ways with their previous drummer, Jay Weinberg<\/b>, last November, Slipknot teased fans with a hint about a new drummer by posting a photo of a single broken drumstick online with the caption “Rehearsal.”<\/p>\n
The band explained that the split with Weinberg was a creative decision, and Weinberg has since joined Suicidal Tendencies and Infectious Grooves.<\/p>\n
Casagrande’s departure from Sepultura was announced in February<\/b>, just before he was supposed to start rehearsals for the band’s farewell tour.<\/p>\n
Sepultura acknowledged his departure in a statement. In a previous interview, Sepultura singer Derrick Green praised Casagrande’s impact on the band<\/b>, calling him a “tremendous force” and a “perfect match” for Sepultura.<\/p>\nSlipknot’s Future: Plans for 2024 and Beyond<\/h2>\n
Slipknot’s latest album, The End, So Far<\/i>, was released in August 2022. This album marked the band’s last full-length release before the departure of keyboardist Craig Jones and drummer Jay Weinberg<\/b>.<\/p>\n