In a recent interview with ProMark DrumsticksEloy Casagrande, ex-Sepultura drummer, shared his journey to joining Slipknot, an opportunity offered to him at the beginning of the year, shortly before the North American tour marking the group's 25th anniversary. For Casagrande, a long-time fan, this invitation is a real consecration.
An intense journey to join Slipknot
It was Slipknot's manager who contacted Eloy Casagrande to offer him an audition with the group. Casagrande spent ten days in the United States rehearsing and recording with the members of Slipknot. “It was a very comprehensive test,” he says. “We spent several days recording new songs. They wanted to see if I could write drum parts and record in the studio, which is a whole different world.” After this first experience, he returned to Brazil, and only two days later the group officially invited him to join their ranks.
This audition put Casagrande under intense pressure, especially in the first days. “I remember the first day, I was so nervous that I made several mistakes playing in front of them,” he confides. However, the members of Slipknot supported him and encouraged him to relax. “From the second day, I was more comfortable, and everything went better.”
Also read: Jinjer announces his fifth album, Duél, and unveils a powerful new single
An honor and a significant influence
For Casagrande, integrating Slipknot is “a huge honor”. A fan of the group since his teenage years, he remembers the impact of songs like Dualitydiscovered on MTV, which had a profound impact on his musical training. “It’s a dream come true,” he says, also mentioning the pride felt by his fans in South America, a feeling shared by Slipknot guitarist Jim Root. “Our promoters in South America were delighted that we had a Brazilian batsman, as if they had won the World Cup.”
In an interview with Tone-TalkJim Root expressed Slipknot's enthusiasm for Casagrande, seeing him as the ideal candidate. “We didn’t even try anyone else,” he said, noting Eloy's admiration for the late Joey Jordison, the band's first drummer. “Eloy is humble and lives for his art. His energy reignited my passion for music.”
