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Kamelot - Drummer Casey Grillo Leaves, Announce Replacement


Casey Grillo is no longer Kamelot's drummer. After more than 20 years, he is off to new endeavors. Prior to the recent final recordings, long-time drummer Casey Grillo informed the band that he had made the difficult decision to pursue other music and touring opportunities, in addition to the desire to focus more time on his drumhead company.

"Casey has been my friend and colleague for nearly 20 years. We have seen and done a lot together both in and outside of Kamelot. As his friends, the band and I respect his decision. I'm sure that we will all still be hanging out together when we have down time." - adds guitarist Thomas Youngblood.

In a letter regarding his departure, Casey states: "First and foremost I would like to thank all of the Kamelot fans around the world for your support during my time with the band. It has afforded me the opportunity to travel the globe, meet the most amazing people, experience so many cultures, and to share some of the most memorable experiences of my life. Between the various other musical endeavors I am involved with, along with my rapidly growing business DrumStatic.com, it really just became evident it was time for me to explore and focus on these new opportunities without compromising the exclusivity Kamelot needs and deserves."




Photo: Tim Tronckoe photography


The technical musical arrangements and intense touring demands drove the band to enlist a proficient and energetic musician which would fit perfectly within the Kamelot machine. The new drummer is someone you may already know, Johan "Jo" Nunez. This 29 year old drum master and instructor has been touring and playing on albums with Marty Friedman, Gus G., Firewind, Nightrage and more. "We knew Johan already from touring and he worked with us on the entire recent European tour. He's a sensational drummer, and was an easy choice in my mind. Be sure to make him feel welcome, and bug him for a photo, he's a super nice dude!" - adds bassist Sean Tibbetts.

Johan Nunez states: "I am thrilled to join the Kamelot family! I've known the band for well over 15 years and always looked up to Casey as a drummer, so it was a big honor for me when I was asked to step in. I have toured in the past with Kamelot and I could see how dedicated and loving their fans are! Everybody in the band and crew has been wonderful and already made me feel at home, so I'm really excited to meet you all soon on the road!"

Casey concurs with the selection and adds: "I sincerely ask for you all to give a warm welcome to Johan Nunez, and to embrace him as the new drummer. He is a great guy and will proudly represent and continue the Kamelot legacy!"

Source: kamelot.com
Band profile: Kamelot
Posted: 06.02.2018 by BloodTears


Comments

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Comments: 17   [ 1 ignored ]   Visited by: 221 users
06.02.2018 - 13:30
IcePickLodger

After more than 10 years? I thought it was more than 20 years...
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06.02.2018 - 13:36
BloodTears
ANA-thema
Written by IcePickLodger on 06.02.2018 at 13:30

After more than 10 years? I thought it was more than 20 years...


It is more than 20 years
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29

Like you could kiss my ass.


My Instagram
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06.02.2018 - 13:40
IcePickLodger

Ok, so let's welcome new blood!
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06.02.2018 - 19:28
Oracles

Not surprising, he probably doesn't want to keep playing soft ballads garbage which have been the past two albums.
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06.02.2018 - 19:36
EdenEcho

Sucks that he left. Now only Thomas remains from the magical lineup of The Fourth Legacy - The Black Halo era. I wonder if Jo will continue with Firewind though.

Written by Oracles on 06.02.2018 at 19:28

Not surprising, he probably doesn't want to keep playing soft ballads garbage which have been the past two albums.


Yeah, that was the problem. So he preferred to play with Queensryche whose last albums are much, much better. :
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06.02.2018 - 20:32
skelator

Written by IcePickLodger on 06.02.2018 at 13:40

Ok, so let's welcome new blood!

Rubbish attitude.
First Glenn Barry, then Khan, now Grillo.
Not a single good album from 2005. Shame to see whats happened to this band...lets play "The Fourth Legacy"
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Best Metal Albums of 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9jaZJRBeBw

Best Metal Demos: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HtsgSQjV44
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06.02.2018 - 21:24
IcePickLodger

Written by skelator on 06.02.2018 at 20:32

Written by IcePickLodger on 06.02.2018 at 13:40

Ok, so let's welcome new blood!

Rubbish attitude.
First Glenn Barry, then Khan, now Grillo.
Not a single good album from 2005. Shame to see whats happened to this band...lets play "The Fourth Legacy"

yes, their best years are probably gone (2001-2005) - that is why I think new blood could be positive
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06.02.2018 - 23:10
Akula

I would say 1998 - 2007. Ghost Opera has many beautiful songs IMHO. From there onwards I agree, very weak albums.
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07.02.2018 - 01:59
Tatsella
Fangirl
Fresh blood, eh? Oliver was fresh blood so Ghost Opera was more symphonic than any album before. Not really good thing but matter of taste. Then were Sean and Tommy. And whaaat? I still can't see album better than Legacy! Or even as good as.
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07.02.2018 - 02:05
Kais

If band-concerining news were to have a face, this one would've recieved my strongest possible slap right in its face. Just saying. Kamelot is done, and it's excruciating.
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07.02.2018 - 11:04
ManiacBlasphemer
Black Knight
Casey's replacement will bring little change. Who needs to be replaced is the songwriter, or songwriters (i.e. Youngblood and Palotai). Good luck in kicking about the founding member. I hate to admit it as well, the last few albums were not good. Way too safe played and samey. They've been recycling the Ghost Opera formula endlessly, to the point it went dry.
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07.02.2018 - 23:08
Kais

Written by ManiacBlasphemer on 07.02.2018 at 11:04

Casey's replacement will bring little change. Who needs to be replaced is the songwriter, or songwriters (i.e. Youngblood and Palotai).


Why, of course, let's get rid of the maker of Kamelot to create a better Kamelot - because that never happened in the past (Roy Khan)..
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07.02.2018 - 23:31
Polaria

I'll keep my bile until the first single of The Shadow Theory is released. Gotta say my hopes are not exactly high.

On another note, I don't think it is fair to slag off bands about things they cannot control. One can keep on with "Khan this, Khan that", but the band did all they could to accomodate and keep him, I don't think they could have done anything more.
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Life is all the pain we endeavour.
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08.02.2018 - 03:48
SoUnDs LiKe PoP

Written by Oracles on 06.02.2018 at 19:28

Not surprising, he probably doesn't want to keep playing soft ballads garbage which have been the past two albums.


The issue with the last couple albums was not too many ballads. On Kamelot's classic albums, their ballads were some of their greatest songs (Abandoned, Anthem, On the Coldest Winter Night, Don't You Cry, etc.). The issue was simply that the songwriting was weak.
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I lift weights and listen to metal
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09.02.2018 - 14:11
Metren
Dreadrealm
Written by SoUnDs LiKe PoP on 08.02.2018 at 03:48

The issue with the last couple albums was not too many ballads. On Kamelot's classic albums, their ballads were some of their greatest songs (Abandoned, Anthem, On the Coldest Winter Night, Don't You Cry, etc.). The issue was simply that the songwriting was weak.


qft

Ridiculously weak, I'd say. There were still hints of excellence on Ghost Opera, but after that, they really should've just called it quits.
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My one-man project's Bandcamp with free downloads: https://dreadrealm.bandcamp.com/
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10.02.2018 - 10:36
SoUnDs LiKe PoP

Written by Metren on 09.02.2018 at 14:11

Written by SoUnDs LiKe PoP on 08.02.2018 at 03:48

The issue with the last couple albums was not too many ballads. On Kamelot's classic albums, their ballads were some of their greatest songs (Abandoned, Anthem, On the Coldest Winter Night, Don't You Cry, etc.). The issue was simply that the songwriting was weak.


qft

Ridiculously weak, I'd say. There were still hints of excellence on Ghost Opera, but after that, they really should've just called it quits.


Silverthorn gave me a little hope after the pathetic Poetry that maybe the band still had a little magic left in them, but then Haven came out and had maybe only 2 or 3 great songs on it. I'm expecting the next album to follow suit... a couple gems, and the rest filler.
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I lift weights and listen to metal
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12.02.2018 - 17:48
ManiacBlasphemer
Black Knight
Written by Kais on 07.02.2018 at 23:08

Written by ManiacBlasphemer on 07.02.2018 at 11:04

Casey's replacement will bring little change. Who needs to be replaced is the songwriter, or songwriters (i.e. Youngblood and Palotai).


Why, of course, let's get rid of the maker of Kamelot to create a better Kamelot - because that never happened in the past (Roy Khan)..


The main issue with Kamelot is the weak and formulaic/recycled songwriting that has been plaguing them for years already. Changing a drummer that never wrote a tune for the band will bring little. Or the bassist. The songwriting team (Youngblood-Palotai) has been out of ideas for quite a while. Ok, they won't be replaced. But at least bring a second guitarist into the fold, one that is a songwriter and can bring up some changes. If you are satisfied with the same old Ghost Opera formula over and over again, then be my guest. But they grow old quickly.
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