Slipknot have unveiled new masks and jumpsuits. The nine-piece Iowa metal collective are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their iconic eponymous debut full-length, and the new jumpsuits and masks provide subtle nods to that era of the band, however they also point to the future.
Speaking to Paper magazine, the band's M.Shawn Crahan commented "If I’m putting on exactly what I wore 25 years ago, I think it'd be insulting to who I was 25 years ago and for the people that knew that, and there is no way in this reality I can be that human being again, I just wouldn't be true. We all agreed to do takes on how we are and what we feel, and that’s the inspiration … to take the past and make it the present for the future. To acknowledge oneself, and to literally make people happy by familiarity and turning it up a little bit. I’ve never had a zipper in my clown mask and that’s one of those staple things I put in the band when it was starting I was incorporating zippers a lot. It’s inspiration from the past, but it’s also talking about oneself right now reminiscing, the pain, the sorrow, the love, the work of that 25 years of that character that we been that's been requested, and sort of like say a prayer almost, to oneself to bring something out, that feels real for everyone."
The band recently welcomed drummer Eloy Casagrande and the former Sepultura drummer's first official Slipknot mask was part of the new reveal. Interestingly, the identity of the person taking on the role of samples/media in the band remains shrouded in mystery, with the band opting not to name the replacement for Craig Jones as part of the rollout. Following the publication of the Paper article, the band shared images of each member's mask to their social media channels.
The latest iteration of Slipknot delivered a savage set at an 850-capacity venue in California. The show, which took place at Pappy + Harriet’s in Pioneertown, California, was the first show to feature Eloy Casagrande. The band follow that up with a crushing headline performance at Sick New World Festival.
Buy Slipknot Vinyl
The band appears to be ready to launch a new era, with the creation of the throwback website YouCantKillMe indicating plans for the future are well and truly underway. The band have already confirmed they will return to Australia to headline Knotfest Australia 2025 next year as part of their 25th anniversary run.
As for the future of the former members, Weinberg, who replaced former drummer, the late Joey Jordison in 2014, has joined Infectious Grooves and Suicidal Tendencies. While Jones has kept out of the spotlight. Weinberg was a member of the band for just under a decade, keeping Jordison's spirit alive while contributing his percussive flair on three Slipknot full-lengths, 5: The Gray Chapter, All Out Life and The End, So Far. Jones had been a member of the Iowa metal collective for 27 years before the band took to social media and announced his departure in a since-deleted message that read To our fans, Slipknot is announcing that we have parted ways with Craig Jones. We wish Jones all the best for the future." Whatever the future holds for the rest of Slipknot, it appears 2022's The End, So Far. is the final recording that either Jones or Weinberg will contribute to.
Produced collaboratively by Joe Baressi (Queens Of The Stone Age, Soundgarden, Avenged Sevenfold, Parkway Drive) and Slipknot, The End, So Far is the follow-up to Slipknot’s 2019 We Are Not Your Kind which marked the band’s third consecutive #1 on the ARIA album chart. To celebrate the widely anticipated release we caught up with Slipknot bass player, Alessandro 'V-Man' Venturella for a discussion about all things The End, So Far, if you haven't already, head on over and give it a read.
Shop for Slipknot Merch
Listen To The End, So Far
