SLIPKNOT appears to have initiated rehearsals with a fresh drummer following the departure of Jay Weinberg last November
Over the weekend, SLIPKNOT teased fans on social media with a photo of a shattered drumstick captioned “Rehearsal.”, hinting at the acquisition of Jay‘s successor.
While SLIPKNOT has remained tight-lipped about the new drummer’s identity, eagle-eyed fans speculate that the use of a Promark drumstick suggests former SEPULTURA drummer Eloy Casagrande might be taking over the kit, given his endorsement by Promark.
The band’s inaugural performance of 2024 is slated for April 27 at the Sick New World Festival in Las Vegas, followed by gigs at Welcome To Rockville in Daytona Beach, Florida on May 12 and Sonic Temple in Columbus, Ohio on May 19.
SEPULTURA announced last month that Casagrande had exited the band to embark on “another project,” fueling speculation among fans that he could be joining SLIPKNOT.
Casagrande‘s departure from SEPULTURA coincided with the band’s announcement of a global “farewell tour” to mark its 40th anniversary in 2024.
SLIPKNOT severed ties with Jay Weinberg on November 5, 2023, citing creative differences. Weinberg expressed shock and disappointment on Instagram, revealing that he was unaware of the decision until shortly before fans were informed.
When SLIPKNOT announced Weinberg‘s departure, the band thanked Jay “for his dedication and passion over the past ten years.” The group added: “No one can ever replace Joey Jordison‘s original sound, style or energy, but Jay honored Joey‘s parts and contributed to the last three albums and we, the band, and the fans appreciate it. But as ever, SLIPKNOT is intent on evolving. We wish Jay all the best and are very excited for what the future holds.”
Jay‘s final performance with SLIPKNOT was at the Hell & Heaven festival in Toluca, Mexico, on November 3.
Following the release of “.5: The Gray Chapter” in 2014, SLIPKNOT initially kept the identities of their touring drummer and bassist under wraps, despite revelations by a former drum tech who leaked backstage information on Instagram.
“.5: The Gray Chapter” received multiple Grammy nominations, including nods for “Best Metal Performance” and “Best Rock Album.”
Jay Weinberg contributed to the success of both “We Are Not Your Kind” in 2019 and “The End, So Far” in 2022, both of which dominated Billboard’s rock albums chart.
In related news, it appears that fresh masks are being designed for SLIPKNOT’s upcoming 25th-anniversary celebration of their 1999 self-titled debut album.
On March 1st, Corey Taylor, SLIPKNOT‘s lead vocalist, unveiled a snapshot depicting what seems to be him undergoing the molding process for his new mask.
Taylor posted the pic to social media, accompanied by the hashtag “#25.” SLIPKNOT then reshared the image on their stories.
Speculation looms regarding whether these masks will harken back to the band’s original self-titled era. Considering the discomfort the band members endured with their masks during that time and the toll taken on them by continuous touring, it’s unlikely that they’ll revisit the exact originals.
SLIPKNOT‘s turntablist, Sid Wilson, has also stirred anticipation among fans by urging them to “bid farewell” and hinting at a “new look” for the pioneering nu-metal band. The 46-year-old DJ took to social media back on January 15, suggesting a potential unveiling of a fresh mask and a new era for the group. However, in the wake of the dismissals of sampler Craig “133” Jones and drummer Jay Weinberg in 2023, Wilson‘s cryptic remarks sparked concerns among fans, leading to speculations about his potential departure from SLIPKNOT.
“Say goodbye to this guy and get ready for the new look 👀 #cantstopwontstop @slipknot,” Sid captioned along with the image on his social media.
Sid‘s comments ignited a reaction from fans, initially concerned that Wilson was departing SLIPKNOT.
These teasers align with the band’s recent statements, especially following the termination of Weinberg. Percussionist Shawn “Clown” Crahan further emphasized these hints of a significant creative shift during an interview with NME last December.
“As far as Jay goes, what people need to know is Jay did not leave the band, and what I want to say is that we’re moving on,” he said.
“Like the statement said, we’re choosing to do something different. This space that we’re at right now is a very, very special space, thought about and generated mostly by the OGs [longstanding members Corey Taylor, Mick Thomson, Sid Wilson and Jim Root].”