Joey LaCaze

New Orleans sludge pioneers Eyehategod have officially recruited a new full-time drummer. Near the end of August, the band and the metal community lost drummer Joey LaCaze. As a founding member of Eyehategod, his influence can never truly be replaced, but drummer Aaron Hill has been elected to keep the band in tact.

Nearly one month ago, Eyehategod drummer Joey LaCaze passed away at the age of 42. As an essential part of the Southern sludge movement, LaCaze's death sent a shockwave through the underground metal community. Pantera / Down vocalist Phil Anselmo, who was close with LaCaze, has just offered a heartfelt memorial for the drummer.

On Aug. 23, Joseph H. LaCaze, drummer for New Orleans sludge legends Eyehategod, passed away. The underground metal community has been mourning the loss of LaCaze ever since, and the cause of the drummer's death has now been made public.