Slipknot founding member and former drummer Joey Jordison died on Monday July 26th, aged 46.

A member of Jordison’s family told Rolling Stone that he died peacefully in his sleep. A cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

“Joey’s death has left us with empty hearts and feelings of indescribable sorrow,” said the drummer’s family in a statement. “To those that knew Joey, understood his quick wit, his gentle personality, giant heart, and his love for all things family and music.”

“The family of Joey have asked that friends, fans, and media understandably respect our need for privacy and peace at this incredibly difficult time,” they said. The former Slipknot drummer’s family intend to hold a private funeral service.

A number of tributes have flooded in for the heavy metal icon on social media including from Wednesday 13 of Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13, Metallica’s James Hetfield and Trivium drummer, Alex Bent.

I don’t have words, to call him an inspiration would be an understatement. Countless hours studying every move behind the kit . I owe so much to Joey Jordison and could never imagine being where I am today without his influence. RIP pic.twitter.com/BAnLHW9Re2

— Alex Bent (@AlexBentDrums) July 27, 2021

Jordison was Slipknot’s drummer in their original formation, when they were called The Pale Ones and later Meld. He came up with the name Slipknot in 1995. The drummer departed the band in 2013, after making four albums with them.

The Iowa native revealed in 2016 that he departed Slipknot due to an inability to play as a result of a neurological disease called transverse myelitis — a type of multiple sclerosis — that left his legs paralysed. He recovered from his illness and began playing again in a number of bands.

Upon his departure from Slipknot, he formed heavy metal band, Scar The Martyr, which he drummed in until they disbanded in 2016.

In 2016, the Golden God Award-winner launched his new band, Vimic, which was a revival of Scar The Martyr after their split. Jordison was also the drummer for extreme metal band Sinsaenum at the time of his death.

The musician formed the glam horror-punk group, The Murderdolls, after meeting Tripp Eilsen, then of Static-X, whom he discussed forming a side-project with while touring Ozzfest in 2001 as promotion for Slipknot’s second album, Iowa.

A year later, Jordison then revived his band, The Rejects, under a new moniker – The Murderdolls. The lineup included Wednesday 13, Ben Graves and Eric Griffin.

R.I.P. Joey Jordison

I’ll never forget you. You changed my life forever. ❤️🖤🔥 pic.twitter.com/R0OetL1JpJ

— Wednesday 13 (@officialwed13) July 27, 2021

The band released 2 albums: Beyond The Valley Of The Murderdolls (2002) and 2010’s Women And Children Last. Wednesday 13 revealed the band’s split in 2011.

My favorite Joey Jordison, Slipknot moment 🖤💔 pic.twitter.com/dIg3pzvO6U

— Goth Hoe 🧛🏻‍♀️ (@tifasuprsoldier) July 28, 2021

So so sad to hear that Joey Jordison has passed away. May this absolute drumming legend rest in peace :( pic.twitter.com/hP4AiZ4EUS

— edwin (@mredwincosta) July 28, 2021

Goodbye, legend.#joeyjordison pic.twitter.com/VQhkC1sKpC

— Fleshgod Apocalypse (@FApocalypse) July 27, 2021

Absolutely shocked & gutted to hear of the passing of @joeyjordison. In addition to being an incredible drummer, he was always a classy guy. When he heard how much of a fan @MaxPortnoy_ was, he sent to the house a giant box filled with @slipknot swag: shirts, hoodies, backpacks… pic.twitter.com/Ga3xtZk8ec

— Mike Portnoy 🤘 (@MikePortnoy) July 27, 2021