Eloy Casagrande has once again proven his exceptional drumming skills, this time with an impressive performance of Slipknot’s track “Gematria (The Killing Name)” in a new drum-only video. Fans who once doubted his ability to handle the band’s intense material are likely reassessing their opinions after seeing this latest display of his talent.
The video, filmed in an intimate close-up style, highlights Casagrande’s remarkable performance, designed to captivate and inform drumming enthusiasts. This time, he tackles “Gematria (The Killing Name),” a track that had previously been deemed “unplayable live” by fans due to its complexity.
Captured during Slipknot’s live performance at Centennial Park in Sydney, Australia, on March 8, 2025, this new video follows a series of similar clips showcasing Casagrande’s drumming prowess. Earlier videos featured his renditions of “Liberate” and “Eyeless” from Slipknot’s December 2024 gig at the O2 in London, as well as “Get This” from a November 2024 performance in Zurich.
“Gematria (The Killing Name)” is particularly significant for Casagrande, as it was one of the tracks he performed during his audition for Slipknot in 2023. His success in the audition led to his departure from Sepultura after a 13-year tenure, stepping into one of rock’s most coveted and challenging drum positions.
Casagrande recently shared the story of his Slipknot audition with Modern Drummer: “Everything happened at the end of 2023 when I got a call from Slipknot’s manager asking me if I was interested in doing an audition. That year, Sepultura decided to stop playing, so it was a very natural decision for me to keep playing with someone else instead of just retiring.”
During the audition, Casagrande recorded six songs in São Paulo, sending them to the band. They then asked him to play three specific tracks: “Eyeless,” “Purity,” and “Gematria.” In January 2024, he flew to Palm Springs, California, to spend ten days with the band, rehearsing and refining the setlist.
Casagrande’s transition to Slipknot’s drummer wasn’t without its controversies. He took over after Jay Weinberg’s unexpected departure, a move that sparked mixed reactions from fans and band members alike. While acknowledging the challenge of replacing Joey Jordison, Slipknot emphasized their desire to evolve, parting ways with Weinberg and welcoming Casagrande into the fold.
Weinberg himself expressed his surprise and disappointment at the decision, commenting, “I was heartbroken and blindsided to receive the phone call… This is not the ending to the journey I’d dreamt of, and committed myself to seeing through – not by a long shot.”
Casagrande also left Sepultura just before their 40th anniversary tour, which caused some tension among band members. Grayson Nekrutman was quickly brought in to fill the gap, but both drummers have since formed a mutual respect, exchanging tips and support.
Casagrande’s latest video performance of “Gematria” is a testament to the success of his transition into Slipknot, demonstrating how well the band’s plan has come together.
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