Sepultura bassist Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr. recently spoke about the band’s new touring drummer Greyson Nekrutman, who replaced longtime member Eloy Casagrande, in an interview on The David Ellefson Show.
Pinto Jr. praised Nekrutman’s unique approach and discussed the adaptation process with the new drummer.
“Greyson [Nekrutman, Sepultura’s new touring drummer], he is a great guy. He has a very jazzy, totally different approach,” Pinto Jr. said. “I’m still adapting, learning with him day by day.”
The bassist reflected on his experience working with different drummers throughout Sepultura’s history.
“Eloy [Casagrande, former Sepultura drummer] was in the band for 13 years. It took me a while to really lock up with him,” he continued. “The easiest one, of course, was Igor [Cavalera, original Sepultura drummer], ’cause we grew up together. And then the other ones, I had to readapt, and even the way of playing, just to make Sepultura sound right. Each one is very unique and has their own particularities. That’s why it’s so nice.”
Pinto Jr. also revealed that the band has been working on new material with Nekrutman.
“We’ve done some new recording with Greyson, and it sounds amazing. [It’s a] totally different approach, and it was, like, ‘Don’t try to be that much metal. Just be yourself. Be a jazz player. Try to bring into the metal your own style and you’re gonna fly high, dude.’ ‘Cause he’s amazing,” he said.
The drummer change represents a significant shift for Sepultura. This is particularly notable given the circumstances surrounding Casagrande’s departure and Nekrutman’s impressive musical background.
Wikipedia reported that Nekrutman was born in 2002 on Long Island, New York. He started playing drums at the remarkably young age of four. His musical foundation is deeply rooted in jazz and Latin rhythms, drawing inspiration from legendary drummers like Buddy Rich and Art Blakey. This jazz background explains Pinto Jr.’s emphasis on encouraging Nekrutman to maintain his unique style rather than conforming to traditional metal drumming approaches.
Before joining Sepultura, Drummerworld noted that Nekrutman served as the drummer for Suicidal Tendencies. He became known for his ability to blend sophisticated jazz techniques with metal’s raw intensity. This experience with crossover thrash likely prepared him for the technical demands of Sepultura’s complex compositions.
The timing of Nekrutman’s integration into the band was particularly challenging. Sepultura’s official website revealed that Casagrande left the band suddenly, just days before the first rehearsal for their “Celebrating Life Through Death” farewell tour. This abrupt departure required Nekrutman to quickly adapt to Sepultura’s extensive catalog and complex arrangements under significant time pressure.
His debut with Sepultura during their 2024 Latin American tour showcased his dynamic and precise playing style. Fans and critics particularly praised his performance on classic tracks like “Slave New World.” His technical proficiency complemented the band’s intricate sound while adding his distinctive jazz-influenced flair. The positive reception demonstrates that Nekrutman’s unconventional approach is successfully bridging the gap left by Casagrande’s departure.
