Eloy Casagranderenowned Brazilian drummer, was chosen as the Best Metal Drummer of 2024 by magazine readers Modern drummer. His technical skill and ability to create innovative rhythms, both in the studio and live, established him as one of the most prominent musicians of contemporary metal.
Casagrande, known for his work with the band Slipknot and as a member of Grave For more than a decade, he expressed his gratitude through his social networks, highlighting that he does not consider himself the “best” in his field, but he does feel lucky for the support of his followers. In his message, he thanked Modern drummer for their work and Slipknot fans (known as maggots) for your trust and loyalty. In his humble statement, Casagrande emphasized that “There is no good or bad in music or the arts”underscoring his genuine and unpretentious approach to his artistic career.
Eloy Casagrande began his musical career at a very young age. Born in São Paulo, Brazilin January 1991, and at the age of 7 he was already playing the drums. However, his rise to international fame occurred when he was just 13 years old, when he won the Batuka International Drummer Fest in 2004. The following year, in 2005, he won the Undiscovered Drummer Contest from the prestigious magazine Modern drummerbecoming a young promise in the world of drums.
His unique style, which fuses influences from brazilian music (such as samba, maracatu, and bossa nova) with the metalallowed him to stand out in the competitive world of drums. At age 20, in 2011, Casagrande joined Graveone of the most emblematic bands of Brazilian and world metal, replacing Jean Dolabella. During his time in Sepultura, Casagrande contributed his technical skill and innovative outlook to the band’s albums, bringing their music to audiences around the world. In total, he recorded three albums with the band and participated in a global tour that spanned five continents.
Throughout his career, Casagrande maintained a close relationship with his followers, sharing his creative process on his social networks and holding workshops and masterclasses. In addition, he was part of other musical projects, such as Casagrande & Hanysz with the guitarist João Hanyszwith whom he released the album Liminal. This ability to explore diverse musical styles and his dedication to technical perfection earned him multiple awards and nominations, including the Metal Drummer of the Year in the Drumeo Awards of 2022.
In February 2024, shortly before starting rehearsals for Sepultura’s 40th anniversary tour, Eloy decided to leave the band. The main reason for his departure was his need to dedicate himself fully to Slipknot, a band that required him exclusiveness and prevented him from continuing to participate in Sepultura projects. This decision was not without controversy, as it caused surprise and sadness among fans, especially due to the suddenness of his departure. Despite Casagrande’s departure, Sepultura found his replacement in the young Grayson Nekrutman20 years old.
In April 2024, Slipknot officially announced that Eloy Casagrande would replace Jay Weinberg as their drummer, following his surprise departure from the band in November 2023. This change was part of a series of restructurings within the group, which also included the departure of their keyboardist. Craig Jones. Casagrande, who had already been a prominent figure in the metal world, joined Slipknot to complete the band’s lineup during their tour. “Here Comes The Pain”which celebrated the 25th anniversary of their debut album.
The selection process for the position of Slipknot drummer was rigorous. Casagrande he spent ten days in Palm Springs, California, with the rest of the band, rehearsing and recording. During this period, he was subjected to various tests, including an audition with a set list of 32 songs, which allowed the band to evaluate his ability to adapt to their unusual style. The Brazilian drummer highlighted the importance of the experience, sharing that wearing the mask was a mental challenge at first. The mask, which creates a new persona for the musician, was designed in conjunction with Shawn Crahan and became a symbol of his incorporation into the group.
What makes Casagrande special are both his technical virtuosity and his ability to fuse different musical genres. He grew up in Brazil, a country with a rich musical tradition, and his influences include both traditional Brazilian rhythms and the heavier sounds of metal. This crossing of genres is evident in their style, which creates a unique sound that is felt on stage.
Casagrande is characterized by being organic and traditional in your battery technique, avoiding the use of electronic triggers and opting for a more direct style of execution. Your drum set includes TAMA Drums, Paiste Cymbals y Evans Drumheadsand has a particular taste for tuning his toms in high keys, which is common in Brazilian drums. This tuning and his preference for acoustic percussion give him a distinctive and visceral sound, which captivated his followers. Furthermore, his style was influenced by great drummers such as Vinnie Colaiutawho taught him that “thought is the enemy of flow,” a philosophy that he applies to the fullest during his performances.
