Former Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg has revealed that he is still grappling with the sudden shock of his departure from the iconic heavy metal band, but he’s finding solace and support through therapy.
In November, Slipknot made the unexpected announcement that they had parted ways with Weinberg after nearly a decade of collaboration. The statement, which described the separation as a “creative decision,” left little doubt that Weinberg had been fired rather than choosing to leave on his own terms.
The band’s message 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 statement went on to explain that Slipknot’s decision was rooted in their intent to “evolve,” indicating that the band felt a change in their lineup was necessary to achieve that goal.
For Weinberg, who had been gearing up to join Slipknot on tour, the news came as a complete surprise. The drummer, who had been a key member of the band since 2014, was left blindsided by the decision. He had fully committed himself to the band, both professionally and personally, making the sudden departure all the more difficult to process.
Just a few days after Slipknot’s announcement, Weinberg issued a heartfelt statement of his own. He expressed his deep disappointment and shock at being let go, writing:
“I was heartbroken and blindsided to receive the phone call that I did on the morning of November 5th; the news of which, most of you learned shortly after. However, I’ve been overwhelmed by — and truly grateful for — the outpouring of love and support I’ve received from this incredible community I consider to be my creative and artistic home.”
In his statement, Weinberg also made it clear that he was not planning to step away from the music industry, despite the setback. “This is not the ending to the journey I’d dreamt of, and committed myself to seeing through — not by a long shot,” he assured his fans, hinting at future projects and a continued presence in the world of music.
Months after the split, Weinberg appeared on the podcast One Life One Chance With Toby Morse, where he provided an update on how he has been coping with the emotional fallout from his departure.
Weinberg admitted that he’s still in the process of coming to terms with the loss and is not yet ready to fully open up about the experience. “Truth be told, I’m at kind of a point where I’m not quite yet really ready to talk about [the split], really. And that’s not to dismiss the conversation, but I’ve spent time, and spend time, just processing the entire experience. And the experience not being the last six months, but really the last ten years,” Weinberg explained.
Despite the emotional challenges, Weinberg shared that he has sought help through therapy, which has been instrumental in helping him navigate this difficult period. “I have a fantastic therapist who helps me.
Before I speak on it, it’s important for me to do the right work of processing these events that, you know, you spend ten years exclusively committed to one thing,” Weinberg said.
The drummer acknowledged that while he’s not yet ready to fully articulate his thoughts on the split, he recognizes that the time will come when he’ll be able to speak candidly about his decade-long journey with Slipknot and the events that led to his departure. “There’s a lot to process on the other side… And I think there is definitely a time where I’ll speak to my lived experience over those ten years — just not quite yet,” he added.
As Slipknot continues their journey without Weinberg, the band is currently in the midst of a lengthy arena tour across North America. The tour is set to reach Europe later this year, culminating in two highly anticipated performances at The O2 Arena in London in December.
For fans of Slipknot, the tour represents an opportunity to see the band’s new lineup in action, though the absence of Weinberg is likely to be felt by many who have come to appreciate his contributions to the group’s unique sound and energy.
Weinberg’s departure marks a significant moment in Slipknot’s history, as the drummer had been instrumental in helping the band navigate a challenging period following the death of founding member Joey Jordison in 2021.
Weinberg had stepped into a role that many believed was impossible to fill, honoring Jordison’s legacy while also bringing his own style and creativity to the band. Over the course of his nearly ten-year tenure, Weinberg played on three of Slipknot’s albums, contributing to the band’s continued success and evolution.
As Weinberg takes the time he needs to process and heal, his fans and supporters will undoubtedly be eager to see what the future holds for the talented drummer.
Whether through new musical projects or other creative endeavors, it’s clear that Jay Weinberg’s journey is far from over. For now, however, the focus remains on healing, reflection, and finding the strength to move forward after a decade-long chapter that came to an unexpected and emotional close.
