Slipknot’s Eloy Casagrande confirms band is recording ‘many, many songs’ for new album

Slipknot drummer Eloy Casagrande has confirmed that the band is currently recording a large number of songs for its next studio album. The Brazilian musician says the atmosphere in the studio is positive and that the group is pleased with the material it has created so far.

Speaking to Camilo Guzmán of Colombia’s Radiónica, Casagrande explained that the band is focusing on making music it genuinely believes in rather than worrying about commercial expectations or how the songs might be received.

“Right now, we are recording the new album. We are doing the new record… We are doing a lot of songs — many, many songs,” he said. “The band is really happy with the music that we created so far. Everyone’s in a very good vibe.”

The drummer continued: “We are making real music. We are not thinking about business. We are not thinking about if the people are gonna like it or not. We are doing what we believe is right to do.”

Casagrande joined Slipknot in early 2024 after a 12-year stint with Sepultura. The upcoming album will be his first full-length recording with the Iowa metal band, and he admitted that he initially wondered whether he would be able to retain his own musical identity within such an established group.

“Before I joined the band, of course, that was something that I had in mind,” he explained. “I was concerned if I would be able to be myself, to play the way I like to play, to be able to do real things, real music.” Seeing the other musicians enjoy the creative process has reassured him that he made the right decision.

He also discussed how his Brazilian musical background is influencing the band’s new material. Casagrande grew up listening to both metal and traditional Brazilian rhythms, and says those influences are inseparable from his playing, even in the most extreme passages.

During his first rehearsals with Slipknot, percussionist M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan jokingly reminded him that he had joined a metal band after hearing him play Brazilian rhythms. More recently, however, Crahan has suggested incorporating those same influences into the new recordings.

“When we were recording, a few times he came to me and said, like, ‘Oh, what do you think about throwing out some Brazilian stuff, Brazilian rhythms?’” Casagrande recalled. “I think you changed your mind through the years, and that’s something really good.”

Casagrande also addressed the responsibility of following original Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison. He stressed that honoring Jordison’s legacy means more than reproducing his drum parts note for note: it is about preserving the band’s energy, attitude and identity while contributing something personal to the music.

According to Casagrande, the other members have been clear that they do not want him to imitate Jordison. Instead, they want him to bring his own ideas and personality to the band. That freedom, he says, is one of the reasons he considers joining Slipknot a dream come true.

Slipknot released the standalone single “Arsenal” in September. Guitarist Jim Root has confirmed that the track will not appear on the upcoming album, explaining that it was something the band could finish quickly while continuing work on the record. The band’s previous studio album, “The End, So Far”, was released in 2022.

A release date for the new album has yet to be announced. Watch Casagrande’s full Radiónica interview below.