SLIPKNOT’s M. Shawn Crahan addresses drummer Jay Weinberg’s departure and hints at anticipated album
In a recent turn of events within the SLIPKNOT camp, co-founder and percussionist M. Shawn Crahan, known as Clown, has stepped forward to clarify the circumstances surrounding drummer Jay Weinberg’s departure from the iconic metal band. Despite the band’s official announcement of Weinberg leaving, Crahan asserts that the talented drummer did not actually exit the band, sparking intrigue and speculation among SLIPKNOT fans.
Jay Weinberg‘s tenure with SLIPKNOT came to a close on November 3rd during the Hell & Heaven festival in Toluca, Mexico, marking his final performance with the band. SLIPKNOT‘s official statement expressed gratitude for Weinberg‘s dedication and passion over the past decade. Acknowledging the significant role he played in contributing to the last three albums, the band emphasized that while no one can replace Joey Jordison‘s original sound, style, or energy, Jay honored Joey‘s parts and added his unique touch to the band’s evolving musical landscape.
Crahan addressed SLIPKNOT‘s split with Weinberg in a new interview with NME. He said: “As far as Jay goes, what people need to know is Jay did not leave the band, and what I want to say is that we’re moving on. Like the statement said, we’re choosing to do something different. This space that we’re at right now is a very, very special space, thought about and generated mostly by the OGs [longstanding members Crahan, Corey Taylor, Mick Thomson, Sid Wilson and Jim Root].”
The Enigmatic “Look Outside Your Window” Album
In a surprising twist, Clown also hinted at the impending release of the long-awaited album “Look Outside Your Window.” Initially recorded in 2008 alongside “All Hope Is Gone,” the album was slated for release on multiple occasions but never materialized.
Described as a departure from SLIPKNOT‘s signature aggressive sound, the album features vocalist Corey Taylor, guitarist Jim Root, Clown, and DJ Sid Wilson. According to Clown, “Look Outside Your Window” is now confirmed for a 2024 release, adding a layer of anticipation for fans who have been eagerly awaiting its arrival.
“It’s definitely arriving next year. You have my word,” said Crahan. “The art’s been done. It’s been mixed. It’s been mastered. It is definitely coming out in 2024 and it’s such a great album. Corey [Taylor] is my favourite singer ever, and you’ll never hear him sing in the same way as on this album, so it’s been worth holding it back. It’s such a different, timeless project.”
Taylor had previously commented on “Look Outside Your Window“, also hinting at a potential 2024 release, saying: “It’s actually funny that you bring that up. I was talking to Clown about it the other day and he goes, ‘One of the reasons it hasn’t come out is because you keep putting shit out which keeps conflicting with when I want to release it!’ I was like, ‘Fuck dude, why didn’t you tell me?’
He says, ‘Fuck, Taylor – you just got too much shit!’ It’s sounding like he’s got a release date that he can finally lock in and I have promised him that I won’t release anything that will ruin that. I think it’s going to be next year – finally, man!
He continued: “I just went back and listened to all that stuff and it’s so dope and so different. People going into this thinking it sounds like ‘Slipknot‘ Slipknot are so wrong. It doesn’t sound like anything Slipknot have ever done, that’s why it’s its own thing. To me, it really is the long-lost album. The music is so beautiful, it probably has some of my favourite melodies that I’ve done, and people are really going to dig it. Clown did a really good job.”
SLIPKNOT‘s recent developments, from Jay Weinberg‘s departure clarification to the revelation of the impending release of “Look Outside Your Window,” have injected fresh excitement and nagging curiosity into the metal community.
