American heavy metal band Slipknot shocked fans on Wednesday when they revealed that drummer Jay Weinberg was leaving the group after 10 years.
The band made the announcement on their official website.
“The band has decided to make a creative decision, and to part ways with Jay,” they said in a statement.
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“We would like to thank Jay Weinberg for his dedication and passion over the past ten years. No one can ever replace [late bandmember] Joey Jordison’s original sound, style or energy,” they wrote.
“But Jay honored Joey’s parts and contributed to the last three albums and we, the band, and the fans appreciate it. But as ever, Slipknot is intent on evolving.”
They added: “We wish Jay all the best and are very excited for what the future holds.”
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On Instagram, fans claimed the band originally posted the announcement and turned off comments, before deleting the post.
They commented on the band’s latest post, a birthday tribute to Mick Thomson, saying they were shocked that Weinberg was leaving.
“WTF is going on with this band?” one fan commented.
Another added: ”WTF? Jay out?? Slipknot is dead. You guys are killing any identity the band still have. It’s like a company. And why you blocked the comments?” another wrote.
Weinberg joined the band in 2014 and is the son of drummer Max Weinberg, a drummer for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band.
He has yet to address the announcement on his socials. He won Drummer of the Year in September.
Slipknot are famous for wearing creepy masks on-stage and formed in 1995.
Just two years ago, Joey Jordison, co-founder and original drummer of the hard rock band died. According to reports, he died aged 46 due to transverse myelitis, the inflammation of the spinal chord.
Co-founder Paul Gray died in 2010 at the age of 38, due to an overdose.
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