Slipknot’s drummer Jay Weinberg has departed the heavy metal band after 13 years.
The 33-year-old sticksman replaced original drummer Joey Jordison – who died in 2021 – and the only explanation for his exit is that it was “a creative decision”.
A statement on the group’s website read: “We would like to thank Jay Weinberg for his dedication and passion over the past ten years.
“No one can ever replace Joey Jordison’s original sound, style or energy, but Jay honored Joey’s parts and contributed to the last three albums and we, the band, and the fans appreciate it.”
The band vowed: “Slipknot is intent on evolving.
“The band has decided to make a creative decision and to part ways with Jay. We wish Jay all the best and are very excited for what the future holds.”
Jay – who is the son of Bruce Springsteen drummer Max Weinberg and has performed with The Boss’ E Street Band – first featured on Slipknot’s 2014 record ‘.5: The Gray Chapter’, which earned Corey Taylor and co two Grammy nominations.
Jay leaving the ‘All Out Life’ band comes a month after keyboardist and sampler Craig Jones left.
In 2019, Michael Pfaff was brought in to replace percussionist Chris Fehn.
The current line-up also includes Sid Wilson, Jim Root, Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan, Mick Thomson, and Alessandro Venturella.
Meanwhile, frontman Corey recently admitted he believes he has around “five years left” of being “physically” able to tour as he does now with Slipknot.
The 49-year-old rocker has predicted that by the time he reaches his mid-50s, he won’t be able to keep up with his gruelling tour routine and deliver “quality” performances.
However, the ‘Duality’ rocker has vowed to continue for as long as possible because his “heart and soul needs it”.
He told Germany’s Rock Antenne: “As long as I can physically do it, and as long as there are people there to see it, man, I’ll continue to do it.
“Now, if the quality starts to fail, then I’ll know it’s time to hand it in. And I’ve already thought about it — I’ve already thought about, maybe I’ve got another five years left of physically touring like this. I try to take care of myself. I work out when I can.”
He admitted: “The travel out here [in Europe] is exhausting; the food is horrible; so, it makes it hard to do that. But as long as I can keep at it, that’s at least what I wanna do. So, yeah, it is what it is.”