Eloy Casagrande reveals his Slipknot audition process: “They threw new ideas at me to see what my songwriting was like”

A few weeks on from playing his first shows with the band, Slipknot drummer Eloy Casagrande has spoken about how he landed his incredibly cool new gig.

In an interview with Veja São Paulo (and translated from Portuguese by fans on Reddit), Eloy reveals that the band’s manager got in touch with him back in December, after they parted ways with previous sticksman Jay Weinberg in November.

“He asked if I was interested in auditioning first,” Eloy remembers. “I accepted. They asked me to record and send them some videos from right here in Brazil. 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, and 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.”

Things obviously went well, as Eloy continues that he extended his stay for another five days so that Slipknot could “record some things” together with him, with new material seemingly quite a key aspect to the whole process: “I think that was also part of the audition, they threw new ideas at me to see what my songwriting was like,” he explains. “They wanted to test me in every way.”

However, that doesn’t mean we’re necessarily going to get a brand-new ’Knot record featuring Eloy straight away: “I’m still trying to understand how the dynamics of the band work – it’s not so clear yet how things work in terms of records and new songs,” he clarifies. “We’ve written a few things, and they’re shelved for the time being…

“I don’t think there’s any pressure to record new material. But I’m sure they want to, I don’t know when, because right now the band is focused on celebrating its 25th anniversary.”

Eloy has also thanked fans – and especially his many thousands of Brazilian fans – for all their support when it was announced that he was officially a new member.

“It was unbelievable, a great thrill,” he says. “And the Brazilian fans are wonderful, man. I can’t keep up with my social media anymore. It’s just me for now managing everything. I have someone who helps me answer professional emails, and the band’s press office has been helping me. But social media was something I abandoned, because I received so many messages and so much support. I really felt embraced. And you can go there, comment more, I’m loving it. I couldn’t be more grateful to the Brazilians.”

Catch Slipknot back in Europe and the UK at the end of this year:

December

5 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome
6 Dortmund, Germany – Westfalenhalle
8 Stuttgart, Germany – Schleyerhalle
9 Leipzig, Germany – Quarterback Immobilien Arena
11 Zurich, Switzerland – Hallenstadion
12 Paris, France – Accorhotel Arena
14 Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
15 Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
17 Manchester, UK – Co-op Live Arena
18 Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
20 London, UK – The O2
21 London, UK – The O2

Get your tickets now.

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