Eloy Casangrande performed for the first time in Brazil as the drummer for Slipknot at Knotfest last weekend. The festival took place on the 19th and 20th at Allianz Parque in São Paulo.
Here Comes The Pain tour , which brought Slipknot to Brazil, is a celebration of the band's 25th anniversary. For the shows held in 2024, the group adopted a classic stage look, with the red jumpsuits from 1999 and masks with details reminiscent of their early versions. For the occasion, Eloy received a mask in the style of the band members.
The drummer played a "best of" setlist with the band on Saturday the 19th, and the Slipknot on Sunday the 20th. Eloy received a standing ovation from everyone present, further winning over the fans. Check out our coverage of the event here and watch some videos recorded from the dance floor:
Corey Taylor on Eloy joining the band
Revolver magazine , Slipknot vocalist Corey Taylor and guitarist Jim Root Eloy Casagrande to the group. Corey was emphatic in revealing the reason for announcing the new drummer at the very first shows (via Blabbermouth ): “It was simple. Eloy was the only one who had the courage to walk into the room with us. There were other candidates, but none with the passion and hunger to play that he demonstrated.”
“He rearranged his schedule to join us, and that impressed us immediately. Not only was he talented, but he also fit perfectly with the band's vibe. And our audience, accustomed to the group's discretion, deserved to know who was behind the drums.”
The singer also pointed out that the other applicants for the position weren't willing to personally perform with the band; they only wanted to send in recorded videos, something that, according to Taylor, sounded "very TikTok-like."
Jim Root echoed the praise, highlighting Eloy's humility and dedication: “He's a super cool guy, he's laid-back, but he lives and breathes drums. He's like a kind of Jedi Master of drums. He inspires me to be a better guitarist. And his presence was received with enthusiasm by South American fans, who feel represented by having him in the band.”
The legacy of Slipknot
Eloy's selection was no accident. According to Jim, in an interview with Tone-Talk , the Brazilian's name came up after he contacted the band directly, sending videos that demonstrated his talent and passion for music. His rapport with bassist Alessandro Venturella , who already knew him from other collaborations, facilitated the process.
Above all, Eloy showed extreme respect for the legacy of Slipknot's original drummer, Joey Jordison , a major influence on his career. His humility and passion for music were contagious to the other band members, raising the level of their performances.
Finally, to celebrate the band's 25th anniversary, Slipknot returned to their classic 1999 look, with red jumpsuits and reinterpretations of the original masks. A perfect combination to mark the band's new phase with Eloy Casagrande.
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