Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg is breaking his silence following his shocking departure from the band

Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg has broken his silence, saying he felt “heartbroken and blindsided” after being told he was no longer part of the band.

The musician – who is the son of Bruce Springsteen’s drummer Max Weinberg and has performed with The E Street Band – has been with Slipknot since 2014 after taking over from former member Joey Jordison, but his departure was confirmed last week and now Jay admitted he had no idea he would be dropped from the lineup.

In a post on Instagram, he wrote: “I was heartbroken and blindsided when I received the call I made on the morning of November 5; of which most of you heard the news shortly afterwards.

“However, I am overwhelmed by – and truly grateful for – the outpouring of love and support I have received from this incredible community that I consider my creative and artistic home.”

Jay insists he will continue playing drums despite his “sadness” at getting the boot from Slipknot.

Long-serving member: Jay (pictured) has been part of the heavy metal group for almost a decade but is ‘heartbroken’ about his departure

He added: “This is not the end of the journey I dreamed of, and I have committed myself to persevering – no way.

“But despite the confusion and sadness, there is something that offers just as much comfort.

‘For many of you reading this: 10 years ago we didn’t know each other. And now we are. For that, I am grateful in ways I will never be able to fully express.

‘I like to play drums. I will always love playing drums. I will always have a passion for music, art and creative expression. Nothing will ever change that.’

The remaining members of Slipknot previously confirmed Jay’s departure in a statement, saying: ‘We would like to thank Jay Weinberg for his dedication and passion over the past decade.

“No one can ever replace the original sound, style or energy of Joey Jordison, but Jay has honored Joey’s roles and contributed to the last three albums and we, the band and the fans appreciate it.”

The band vowed, “Slipknot intends to evolve. The band has decided to make a creative decision and say goodbye to Jay. We wish Jay all the best and are very excited about what the future holds.”

‘Thank you’: Jay joined the band in 2014 and is ‘overwhelmed’ by the love he has received since his sudden departure

Switchknot: Jay replaced Joey Jordison as part of the Duality rockers and has been a drummer for almost 10 years

In 2019, Jay explained that during his first audition for the band, he had to rely on his muscle memory to play the band’s songs, but he got the job almost immediately.

He told SJC custom drums: ‘I go out and go to this studio, and they say, ‘Okay, there’s a drum kit.

“We’re bringing in Slipknot in about twenty minutes. That is cool?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah… okay, that’s cool.’

“Just based on my muscle memory from when I was 14 or 15 in my shed, we played about 20 Slipknot songs. And it was like, ‘Okay man, if you want this, then it’s yours