Slipknot‘s ongoing 25th anniversary for their breakthrough 1999 self-titled album is a much a celebration of the legacy of the ‘original’ nine as it is a memorial for the version of the band that once was. That’s a fact not lost on the group’s percussionist M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan.
The Slipknot that emerged from the unlikely state of Iowa with that incendiary game changer of an album is quite obviously no longer the same outfit that stands on stage these days. Besides the youthful fire and depraved antics being diminished by the ravages of time and maturity, the group’s roster has also underwent seismic changes.
Once an army of 9 misfits standing mostly united against the world, numerous lineup changes have somewhat dulled the initial mystique that surrounded the band. Not counting the various personnel changes that occurred prior to hitting it big, Slipknot‘s lineup from the late 90s onward has weathered both tragedy and acrimony.
The 2010 accidental overdose of bassist/vocalist Paul Gray was a devastating below for the group and their legions of maggots. The controversial dismissal of drummer Joey Jordison in 2013 and his untimely passing in 2021 also hit hard.
Percussionist/vocalist Chris Fehn was the next piece of the band’s classic era lineup to be removed. As a result of that falling out. He would go on to sue several of his ex-bandmates and their associates for alleged financial misdealing.
Fehn for his part had alleged in his initial suit that vocalist Corey Taylor and percussionist M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan had grown to be the definitive shot callers in the group, alongside their managerial staff. That suit was ultimately settled back in late 2020.
Sampler/keyboardist/guitarist Craig “133” Jones was the last member of the ‘original’ nine to exit the band, having parted ways back in 2023. The circumstances regarding his departure remain closely guarded to date.
Given the often high turnover rate found in most bands who are decades into their career and have far less roles to fill than Slipknot, none of this is particularly outside of the norm. However, late last year found Slipknot begin replacing their own replacements.
The November 2023 firing of Jay Weinberg was a shocking development to fans. It also seemed as somewhat of a flashpoint for fan backlash, as weariness over the increasingly frequent changes in personnel were seen as an erosion of the magic the group have been able to capture over the years.
Still, while Weinberg was a fan favorite, this year’s instatement of his replacement in ex-Sepultura drummer Eloy Casagrande has ultimately been well received. Despite the pressures and associated trials and tribulations that mainstream success brings, not too mention having an admittedly excessive amount of egos and individuals to contend with thanks to the depth of their roster, Slipknot have somehow soldiered on.
Viable replacements were found in bassist Alessandro Venturella, percussionist/vocalist Michael “Tortilla Man” Pfaff, and the as-yet officially unidentified individual handling the samples and programming (fans have theories about that.)
As you’d expect though, the internal dynamics of the band have been forced to change and adapt. Crahan himself recently spoke of that in a piece with Metal Hammer. Reflecting on how the group operates now as opposed to their 1999 incarnation, the 54-year-old musician offered:
“Brother, the band will never be like that again. I can’t tell you how close we were then: we’re not that close anymore. People are gone. Craig’s out. Chris is out, Joey’s out, Paul’s out. The band is different. But, back then, there was nine guys that wanted to be in the same place, and we made it work. And we wound up here, and here is wonderful.”
The group’s 25th anniversary celebrations are expected to extend early into the new year, with a 25th anniversary edition of their self-titled album also being prepared.
09/21 Des Moines, IA – Knotfest Iowa at Waterworks Park
Slipknot:
10/11 Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival
10/19 São Paulo, BRA – Knotfest Brasil
10/26 Buenos Aires, ARG – Lnotfest Argentina
10/28 Lima, PER – Costa 21
11/02 Santiago, CHL – Knotfest Chile
11/05-06 Bogota, COL – Movistar Arena
11/08 Guadalajara, MEX – Calle 2 (feat. Kerry King)
11/09 Mexico City, MEX – Parque Bicentenario (feat. BABYMETAL & Orbit Culture)
12/05 Amsterdam, NET – Ziggo Dome
12/06 Dortmund, GER – Westfalehallen
12/08 Stuttgart, GER – Schleyerhalle
12/09 Leipzig, GER – Quarterback Immobilien Arena
12/11 Zürich, SWI – Hallenstadion
12/12 Paris, FRA – Accor Arena
12/14 Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
12/15 Glasgow, UK – Ovo Hydro
12/17 Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
12/18 Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
12/20 London, UK – The O2
12/21 London, UK – The O2
06/06-06 Nurburg, GER – Rock am Ring
06/06-08 Nuremberg, GER – Rock im Park
06/12-14 Nickelsdorf, AUT – Novarock
