I can't believe we still don't know the identity of Slipknot's new drummer. The band have already revealed two new singles (The Negative One and The Devil in I), they've released their new album artwork, but still no drummer info.
We got one consolation in frontman Corey Taylor giving us a bit more info on the drummer and bassist masks. Speaking to Full Metal Jackie earlier this week, Taylor revealed that the two members would actually be wearing the same mask:
We wanted to make something that still looked unified but still stayed with the spirit of what the band is all about. Instead of trying to find something that was individualistic, we designed — well, Clown designed a mask that the drummer and the bass player will both wear. On one hand, they get a mask, but at the same time, it’s not the individual mask that we in the band use. We knew that any attempt to do anything like that might be taken as disrespectful, but at the same time it’s part of the way of moving, getting past the hardest steps, which is just moving on. So, we decided that we would come up with a mask that works for both the bassist and the drummer and that’s what they’ll wear on stage.
Since Gray's passing, original guitarist Donnie Steele had been filling in on bass duties, but playing behind the drum kit so as not to be seen. Does this mean Donnie will be in the band full time or did they find a new bassist?
Also, personally, I really disagree with the notion that having unique masks would be disrespectful. If anything, having the same mask for the two of them seems to be disrespectful to the players. Slipknot is seen as a unit, an army ready to invade our ear drums. Having two guys wear the same mask sorta screams "they aren't on the same level as us, they're beneath us." But I am not in the band and have no say. I save full judgement for when the masks are finally revealed.
We know one thing, we'll have all our answers by October 21st. That's when the band's new album, .5: The Gray Chapter will be released on Roadrunner.
