Hellyeah have respectfully announced the replacement for their beloved drummer and founder Vinnie Paul, who passed away unexpectedly last year at the age of just 54.
And it’s a familiar face — Roy Mayorga of Corey Taylor’s Stone Sour officially joining the ranks as the metal act’s new beatman-in-chief.
Taking to social media, the band broke the news: “Please welcome our dear friend and brother Roy Mayorga, who will be guesting behind the drum kit as we honor our brother Vinnie Paul,” they wrote.
“These men had so much love and mutual respect for each other, this makes our transition so much easier. Ready or not, here we come!”
Mayorga previously played with Hellyeah bassist Kyle Sanders in noughties act Medication, and will likely have plenty of time on his hands to dedicate to Hellyeah now that Corey Taylor is ramping into full Slipknot mode (his main band have got a new album and Australian tour alongside Metallica both coming very soon).
Meanwhile, Hellyeah are currently preparing for the release of their sixth album (due later in the year), which Vinnie completed all drums for just before he passed away unexpectedly in his Las Vegas home on June 22nd 2018 of an enlarged heart.
Since Vinnie’s death, emotional tributes have poured in from across the metal community, with performances in his honour and words shared from the likes of Phil Anselmo and Corey Taylor at a public memorial.
Hellyeah also posted an emotional AF video tribute to their fallen brother, which is pretty much guaranteed to leave you blubbering.
Read Hellyeah’s official statement announcing the news of his replacement, and listen to their latest single ‘333’ — which features Vinnie on drums — below.
