Drummer Eloy Casagrande has departed from SEPULTURA to pursue “another project,” sparking speculation among fans that he might join SLIPKNOT as their new drummer
Casagrande‘s departure from SEPULTURA comes just two months after the band announced plans for a global “farewell tour” to commemorate their 40th anniversary in 2024.
Earlier today, SEPULTURA released the following statement via social media: “The ‘Celebrating Life Through Death’ tour, a farewell tour over the next 18 months that will celebrate the band’s 40th anniversary and also its farewell to the stage.
“Beginning of December the group clearly defined the intention at the announcement, it is a ‘conscious and planned death’. As poetic as it sounds, a tour of this magnitude took nearly of year of preparing and planning which would require a lot commitment, ethics and loyalty to their fans, as well as respecting for the band’s history — something that is a clear priority to Andreas Kisser, Derrick Green and Paulo Xisto.
“However, on February 6th a few days prior to the first rehearsal, drummer Eloy Casagrande informed the band that he was leaving SEPULTURA to pursue a career in another project. The band were taken by surprise, without prior warning, he immediately left the band, abandoning everything related to SEPULTURA. Luckily American virtuoso Greyson Nekrutman will take the position of Eloy Casagrande and is welcomed as the band’s new drummer for the ‘celebrating life through death’ farewell tour.”
Greyson comments: “Today I express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible opportunity to join the legendary ranks of SEPULTURA for their farewell tour. To contribute to this legacy is a privilege that fills me with both honor and excitement. SEPULTURA‘s fearless approach to exploring new territories in the metal sphere is something that I have always admired and strived to emulate in my own musical endeavors.
“I am eagerly looking forward to adding my own spirit and passion to the mix, to connecting with the fans who have supported the band through its evolution, and to the electrifying experiences we’ll create together on stage. Here’s to the new chapters we’ll write together, to the stages we’ll conquer, and to the powerful music we’ll unleash upon the world.”
Having joined SEPULTURA 13 years ago as the successor to Jean Dolabella, Casagrande contributed significantly to the band’s sound and evolution during his tenure.
SEPULTURA‘s most recent album, “Quadra,” released in February 2020 via Nuclear Blast, showcased their continued musical prowess and was produced by the acclaimed Jens Bogren at Sweden’s Fascination Street Studios.
Meanwhile, SLIPKNOT encountered their own drummer-related shakeup earlier when they parted ways with Jay Weinberg in early November. Weinberg expressed surprise at the decision, and the band has yet to announce his replacement.
As Casagrande embarks on his new endeavor, fans eagerly await further developments regarding his future musical endeavors and the next chapter for both SEPULTURA and SLIPKNOT.