SLIPKNOT’s Surprise Leaks: New Drummer Confirmed, Mystery Keyboardist Emerges?
Hold onto your masks, Maggots! The internet might have just blown the lid wide open on SLIPKNOT‘s latest lineup changes. A recent teaser campaign for the band’s 25th anniversary has seemingly spilled more tea than intended, potentially revealing both their new drummer and a possible replacement for sampler/keyboardist Craig “133” Jones.
The cryptic website youcantkillme.com, designed with a nostalgic early-internet vibe, has been dropping hints galore. Tucked away within a hidden video, eagle-eyed fans on Reddit discovered image names referencing all the band members – but wait, there’s more! Two additional names, “Eloy” and “Jeff,” have also surfaced.
The “Eloy” tag all but confirms the long-rumored addition of ex-SEPULTURA drummer Eloy Casagrande behind the kit. But who is “Jeff“? This has sent SLIPKNOT‘s Reddit detectives scrambling down a rabbit hole of theories.
The leading contender appears to be Jeff Karnowski, who shared bass duties with SLIPKNOT percussionist M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan in their pre-SLIPKNOT band DIRTY LITTLE RABBITS. Remember Michael Pfaff, another DIRTY LITTLE RABBITS alum who replaced Chris Fehn as the enigmatic “Tortilla Man” in 2019? It seems there might be a trend here.
While “Jeff’s” true identity remains shrouded in mystery, Eloy‘s inclusion seems like a slam dunk. This “leak” could be a cunning piece of misdirection, but SLIPKNOT‘s history of unintentionally revealing new members suggests otherwise.
Earlier this month, a cryptic SLIPKNOT billboard near the Coachella Festival pointed towards youcantkillme.com. With their first show since parting ways with drummer Jay Weinberg approaching this weekend, expect some official announcements soon. SLIPKNOT will be taking the stage at the “Sick New World” festival in Las Vegas on April 27th – will they unveil their new lineup then? Stay tuned, Maggots!
SLIPKNOT also appears to be intensifying their preparations for their 25th anniversary tour celebrating their double-platinum self-titled album from 1999.
While the group has mainly kept silent about their North American tour plans for this significant milestone, they’ve already unveiled a slew of dates across Europe and the UK dedicated to the album’s anniversary earlier this year.
While we’re on the subject of SLIPKNOT‘s 25th anniversary, the band seem to be designing some fresh masks for the upcoming celebration.
On March 1st, Corey Taylor, SLIPKNOT‘s lead vocalist, unveiled a snapshot depicting what seems to be him undergoing the molding process for his new mask.
Taylor posted the pic to social media, accompanied by the hashtag “#25.” SLIPKNOT then reshared the image on their stories.
Speculation looms regarding whether these masks will harken back to the band’s original self-titled era. Considering the discomfort the band members endured with their masks during that time and the toll taken on them by continuous touring, it’s unlikely that they’ll revisit the exact originals.
SLIPKNOT‘s turntablist, Sid Wilson, has also stirred anticipation among fans by urging them to “bid farewell” and hinting at a “new look” for the pioneering nu-metal band. The 46-year-old DJ took to social media back on January 15, suggesting a potential unveiling of a fresh mask and a new era for the group. However, in the wake of the dismissals of sampler Craig “133” Jones and drummer Jay Weinberg in 2023, Wilson‘s cryptic remarks sparked concerns among fans, leading to speculations about his potential departure from SLIPKNOT.
“Say goodbye to this guy and get ready for the new look 👀 #cantstopwontstop @slipknot,” Sid captioned along with the image on his social media.
These teasers align with the band’s recent statements, especially following the termination of drummer Weinberg. Percussionist Shawn “Clown” Crahan further emphasized these hints of a significant creative shift during an interview with NME last December.
“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,” he said.
“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 Corey Taylor, Mick Thomson, Sid Wilson and Jim Root].”