Besides including philosophical references and tributes to indigenous peoples, Eloy Casagrande‘s mask subtly honors the late drummer Joey Jordison.
Joey Jordison, the original drummer for SLIPKNOT, passed away on July 26, 2021. Casagrande, the current drummer for the band, discussed this subtle tribute to Jordison in a conversation with Gustavo Chagas for the Warner Music Brasil channel.
He said: “When I went through the testing period I started working with Shawn, the ‘Clown’. His first suggestion was that the mask be white, so that it would be better visible at the back of the stage. Since the drums are behind , and (with) the entire structure of the SLIPKNOT stage , I would be better seen, visualized, with the white mask. The second point is for us to pay a brief tribute to Joey Jordison, who was the band’s first drummer, who wore a white mask all his life too.”
Joey Jordison died on July 26, 2021, at the age of 46. His family did not specify the cause of death, but said he died peacefully in his sleep. Jordison had been diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a rare neurological disorder that causes inflammation of the spinal cord, in 2013. He said he had recovered from the condition with physical therapy and medication. Transverse myelitis can cause symptoms such as weakness, pain, sensory alterations, and autonomic dysfunction.
Last year, Jordison‘s estate initiated lawsuit against SLIPKNOT alleging that the band capitalized on Jordison‘s death to boost sales for their 2022 album, The End, So Far, after experiencing a decline in sales following his passing. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that Corey Taylor and Michael Shawn “Clown” Crahan falsely stated that they reached out to Jordison‘s family to offer condolences.
The legal action also addresses Jordison‘s departure from SLIPKNOT, citing his health struggles and removal from the band via email. The lawsuit asserts that the band failed to return various personal belongings and equipment, some of which are allegedly still being showcased at Knotfest.
SLIPKNOT has denied these allegations and is seeking the dismissal of the lawsuit. The outcome of the legal action is pending.
Casagrande joined SLIPKNOT in February, stepping into the role previously held by Jay Weinberg, who was unexpectedly dismissed in November 2023. His abrupt departure from SEPULTURA in February, just before the band’s 40th anniversary farewell tour rehearsals, hinted at his transition to SLIPKNOT.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.
