Instinct initially attracted Roy Mayorga to the drums. As a result, his playing remains primal, passionate, and powerful.
The Stone Sour drummer became inexplicably drawn to the instrument almost in tandem with taking his first steps. He recalls pounding away on his mother's pots and pans as a child, developing a natural concept of rhythm at a very young age. At the same time, he also immersed himself in the work of luminaries such as John Bonham and Neal Peart, learning the ins and outs of their playing organically as he found his own style.
While in his teens, he joined New York punk legends Nausea. It would provide his first real recording experience and inaugural international tour in 1989. He soon became an in-demand presence behind the kit in the East Coast hardcore and metal scene drumming for the likes of both Shelter and Crisis. However, everything changed for him in 1997. Mayorga teamed up with legendary Sepultura frontman Max Cavalera to cut Soulfly's landmark gold-selling titled debut. He went on to tour with the group until 1999, heading out on OZZfest 1998 and crisscrossing the globe.
After recording Soulfly's 3, stints in both Medication and ABLOOM followed. Then, he got a call from producer Nick Raskulinecz [Rush, Alice In Chains] to drum on Stone Sour's second full-length album, Come What(ever) May in early 2006. He instantly connected with the band, recording and becoming a full-time member. As the quintet destroyed the road alongside everyone from Korn to Deftones, the sophomore set would eventually surpass Gold status and solidify Stone Sour as one of hard rock's leading contenders.
Now, Mayorga stands out as an integral part of the group, adding intense grooves and potent panache to the songs both live and in the studio. To date, he's been a driving force of Audio Secrecy [2010] and House of Gold & Bones Parts 1 & 2 [2012, 2013] as well. In Stone Sour, he's also played and programmed synthesizers and penned certain songs including "Threadbare".
Moreover, his talents extend to multiple instruments as well as songwriting. Whether it's guitar, keyboards, or drums, Mayorga approaches each with the same intuitive energy. As a producer and engineer, he's equally adept working out of his own L.A. studio, helping other artists achieve an optimum style and sound. Still, he's simultaneously evolving. As this dynamic and diverse musician delves further into penning songs and cinematic projects, he's continually challenging himself and everyone around him.
That instinct will always serve him well. - Rick Florino

Roy "Maurice" Mayorga (born in New York City in 1970) is the drummer for Stone Sour. He is of Ecuadorian and Cuban descent. Roy Mayorga was the original drummer for Brazilian metal band Soulfly 1997-1999 and 2001-2003. Prior to joining Soulfly, he also played with New York Hardcore band Shelter in 1996. He also played drums for one of the most influential political bands from New York in the late 80s/early 90s, Nausea. Also Nausea was the band he did his first proper tour of Europe and US. and recorded his first album with in 1989.



Roy Mayorga played drums on the album 'The Hollowing' with metal band Crisis. As a struggling artist musician through out the 90s, Roy Mayorga has also played the role as producer/engineer in studio and live in legendary NYC clubs such as CBGBs, Wetlands and Limelight to support himself while living in New york city.



"I was lucky to be able to practice twice a week with the band or even by my self. At that time I had to work an insane amount of hours and nights to pay the rent and that goes the same for other musicians and artists I knew at the time. It was pretty rough here and there but you had to just suck it up and basically do what you got to do to survive. Despite all the ups and downs I have had, those were great times and great experiences I wouldn't change a thing if I had the chance to.... Its made me who I am today".



Soon after Roy Mayorga got the phone call that would change his life and that started in 1997 when he flew to Phoenix, Arizona to meet with Max Cavalera (founding member of Sepultura) to start the band Soulfly.



Roy Mayorga was briefly a member of the band Medication from 1999-2001 and has recorded the self titled E.P., In 2001 he rejoined Soulfly with which he recorded 3 and toured with them soon after. He parted ways with the group in 2003. In 2004 he helped create rock band ABLOOM as with vocalist Jasan Radford and lead guitarist Levon Sultanian (One Side Zero). Also part of the band was Mike Doling (Snot, Soulfly) and John Fahnestock (Snot). Fahnestock left and was replaced by Marcelo Dias aka Marcello D. Rapp (Soulfly).



In 2005 Roy Mayorga appeared as one of the drummers on the Roadrunner United compilation cd, 'The All-Star Sessions'. On another note Roy Mayorga also does classical film scoring. He has worked on films such as Legion (2004) and Shudder (2007) and when not on the road touring and is currently working on a solo record of that nature.



Roy Mayorga temporarily filled in behind the drumkit for Sepultura's 2006 European tour with In Flames following Igor Cavalera's absence. He officially joined Stone Sour on May 10th, 2006 as a replacement for Joel Ekman.



To date, he's been a driving force of Audio Secrecy [2010] and House of Gold & Bones Parts 1 & 2 [2012, 2013] as well. In Stone Sour, he's also played and programmed synthesizers and penned certain songs including Threadbare.



Moreover, his talents extend to multiple instruments as well as songwriting. Whether it's guitar, keyboards, or drums, Mayorga approaches each with the same intuitive energy. As a producer and engineer, he's equally adept working out of his own L.A. studio, helping other artists achieve an optimum style and sound. Still, he's simultaneously evolving. As this dynamic and diverse musician delves further into penning songs and cinematic projects, he's continually challenging himself and everyone around him.