Home Blog Page 26

Elysia’s “Masochist” gets remaster, returns to streaming

Elysia’s debut 2006 album, Masochist, has come to streaming services with a full remaster and additional demos.

Rewinding back to the biggest boom period in the history of deathcore, it’s hard to pinpoint any one band that truly phase-shifted the genre. The first band that deserves to be in that discussion is undoubtedly Elysia – a pioneer in many intricacies that reverberate in deathcore to this day. In 2006, seminal bands like Whitechapel and Job For a Cowboy were just getting their bearings; Elysia would create the blueprint for the modern deathcore landscape that year with their spinkicking, rough-and-rowdy brand of heavy in Masochist. When a band incorporates bass drops, callout breakdowns, impassioned/grotesque lyrics, Elysia was one of the first to do it, and they went woefully underrated for a spell.

It’s a pleasure to see Masochist arrive on streaming services to be easily accessible, and relive what many consider the glory days of deathcore. Alongside this re-release comes a remaster of the entire album – preserving the messy tone while clearing up the mix. On top of that, Elysia’s 2004 demos and other unreleased tracks into this release. This generated a lot of excitement, and coinciding merch drop preorders via secretswarmrecords.com sold out exceptionally fast warranting a restock. Even Brendan Murphy of Counterparts helped manifest this glorious return:

With Elysia’s Masochist on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, and more, a vital piece of deathcore history is as easy to discover as it was when Elysia was in their heyday. With bands like Psycho Frame, Girl of Glass, and Trachetomy delivering a throwback sound akin to this, it’s compelling to see the deepest roots of this genre after almost 20 years. Check out Masochist on your preferred streaming service and enjoy what once felt like lost media!

Stream Masochist on Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp!

Unleash The Archers – Phantoma | Album Review

A big concept album about AI gaining sentience, all in power metal, screaming, soloing glory. What I love about Unleash The Archers is the overblown, grandiose tracks with huge swelling moments. That’s shown a lot in Phantoma. Brittany Slayes singing is on point as always, the guitars are solid, it’s another well-presented album from Unleash The Archers. The narrative is ambitious and the writing goes for big swings, but the music is all material that isn’t out of the band’s comfort zone. It’s quality power metal in prog from, and reminiscent of past albums. Tracks like “Green & Glass” and the climatic ending “Blood Empress” have the energy and gravitational pull UTA can pull off, but other songs don’t have the variety or replay value in song structure. It’s safely performed while relying on the overarching AI overtaking story. Even if not uncharted territory, Unleash The Archers still are in solid form while still in this human era before AI takes over the world. 7/10 

Unleash The Archers Phantoma Album Review

Unleash The Archers “Green & Glass”
Unleash The Archers “Blood Empress”

Click here for a video on
Who Was The Best Thrash Guitarist?

“Unleash the Archers’ highly anticipated sixth studio album “Phantoma” is a groundbreaking concept album that explores the theme of artificial intelligence gaining sentience in a dystopian future. Released on May 10, 2024, through Napalm Records, the album seamlessly blends the band’s signature power metal sound with progressive and pop elements, delivering a compelling narrative imbued with high science fiction and social commentary. 

The album’s protagonist, Phantoma, is a Phase 4 / Network Tier 0 unit – model A, and the storyline unfolds as she encounters unsettling truths about the world around her. The standout track “Green & Glass” showcases dynamic verses and intricate, progressive guitar work, accompanied by an innovative music video that utilizes AI technology trained on licensed artwork by Bo Bradshaw, blending technology and human creativity. 

“Phantoma” positions Unleash the Archers as a significant force in the metal genre, engaging with contemporary themes of technology and authenticity while delivering their signature blend of power metal, traditional heavy metal, and modern elements. With critical acclaim and chart-topping success from their previous album “Abyss,” “Phantoma” is poised to further solidify the band’s reputation for ambitious and influential concept albums.” (Perplexity) 

___
Unleash The Archers Phantoma Album Review

VENDED Reveal New Single/Video ‘Nihilism”

Vended

Des Moines noiseniks, VENDED have revealed another new single, ‘Nihilism‘, set for release on May 7th. Listen/save here

VENDED tell us: 

“This song represents the momentum for what’s to come, continuing with the energy from our last single. It brings that same energy and pushes the limit even more. The whole meaning of the track is to not fear what doesn’t really matter, so do what YOU want and not what you think will hold you back.”

‘Nihilism’ follows the release of previous singles,‘The Far Side’and ‘Am I The Only One’. the video for which has now racked up over half a million views on YouTube.

The hotly tipped 5-piece’s debut EP, ‘What Is It / Kill It’, arrived at DSPs in late 2021, garnering international critical acclaim. As they roll out singles in 2024, their momentum is only building. This week the band were announced as opening guests on one of the Fall’s biggest US tours, SLIPKNOT‘s ‘Here Comes The Pain’ 25th Anniversary tour, which culminates with the massive KNOTFEST IOWA event at Waterworks Park in VENDED‘s home town of Des Moines on 21st September. 

Check out the ‘Nihilism’ video below:

VENDED‘s fresh and furious sound heralds a new era of heavy music and the arrival of the next generation of brutality. Formed in February 2018 by Cole Espeland (lead guitar), Griffin Taylor (vocals), Simon Crahan (drums), Jeremiah Pugh (bass) and Connor Grodzicki (rhythm guitar), VENDED showcase a barbarous sound built on foundations laid by the power and precision of the rhythm section, layered with vicious guitars, soul crushing solos and guttural-yet-melodic vocals portraying the hardships and harsh realities of life.

Stay tuned for more coming from VENDED very soon. In the meantime, catch them live at any of the dates below. Tickets available at OfficialVended.com.

VENDED – TOURING 2024
Tue 7th May – WARSAW – Proxima (PL)
Wed 8th May – BERLIN – LIDO (DE)
Thu 9th May – DRESDEN – Tante JU (DE)
Fri 10th May – PRAGUE – Futurum (CZ)
Sat 11th May – VIENNA – Szene Wien (AT)
Mon 13th May – ZURICH Dynamo (CH)
Tue 14th May – MILAN – Legend Club Milano (IT)
Wed 15th May – ROMANS SUR IZERE – La Cordo (FR)
Fri 17th May – BARCELONA – Razzmatazz 2 (ES)
Sat 18th May – MADRID – Shoko (ES)
Sun 19th May – TOULOUSE – Rex (FR)
Mon 20th May – PARIS – Petit Bain (FR)
Tue 21st May – ANTWERP – Zappa (BE)
Wed 22nd May – EINDHOVEN – Dynamo (NL)
Fri 24th May – BIRMINGHAM – Asylum (GB)
Sat 25th May – LIVERPOOL – O2 Academy 2 (GB)
Sun 26th May – DUBLIN – Whelans (IE)
Mon 27th May – BELFAST – Limelight 2 (NI)
Wed 29th May – GLASGOW – Cathouse (GB)
Thu 30th May – NOTTINGHAM – Rescue Rooms (GB)
Fri 31st May – BRIGHTON – Arch 187 (GB)
Sat 1st Jun – SWANSEA – Sin City (GB)
Sun 2nd Jun – READING – Sub 89 (GB)

Sat 7th Sep – AUBURN, WA – White River Amphitheater *
Sun 8th Sep – RIDGEFIELD, WA – RV Inn Styles Resort Amphitheater *
Wed 11th Sep – NAMPA, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater *
Fri 13th Sep – INGLEWOOD, CA – Intuit Dome *
Sat 14th Sep – INGLEWOOD, CA – Intuit Dome *
Sun 15th Sep – PHOENIX, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheater * 
Tue 17th Sep – AUSTIN, TX – Moody Center *
Wed 18th Sep – DALLAS, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion *
Sat 21st Sep – DES MOINES, IA – Knotfest Iowa @ Water Works Park *

* = with SLIPKNOT & Knocked Loose

Follow Vended:
Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | Youtube

Kamelot Awaken Montclair, NJ

Kamelot live at The Wellmont Theater 05-01-24

Montclair, NJ came alive on an otherwise sleeppy Wednesday night as metalheads gathered for the “Awaken the World Tour.” The night promised a triple-threat attack of symphonic and power metal, and it did not disappoint.

Ad Infinitum, fronted by the powerhouse vocalist Melissa Bonny (who also handles lead vocals for Kamelot on this tour), kicked things off with a potent dose of melodic metal. Drawing from all three albums and their brand-new single “Outer Space,” the band nevertheless engaged the modest crowd. Bonny mesmerized with her versatility, effortlessly switching between melodic clean vocals and throaty roars. This Swiss/German act, embarking on its first-ever North American tour, proved every bit the rising star.

Ad Infinitum live at The Wellmont Theater 05-01-24

Then came the undisputed kings of Swedish power metal, Hammerfall. Joacim Cans’ powerful voice rang out through the venue, urging the audience to raise their fists and bang their heads to anthems like “Heeding the Call” and “Let the Hammer Fall.” Hammerfall’s brand of power metal is pure, unadulterated fun, characterized by soaring guitar riffs, galloping drumbeats, and ridiculously catchy choruses. Guitarists Oscar Dronjak and Pontus Norgren shredded with precision, while bassist Fredrik Larsson and drummer David Wallin laid down a rock-solid foundation. The energy in the room was electric by the time they finished their epic closer, “Hearts on Fire,” leaving the crowd breathless and primed for the main event.

Hammerfall live at The Wellmont Theater 05-01-24

Kamelot took the stage to a thunderous ovation, launching straight into “The Great Divide,” the opening track from their latest album The Awakening. The band, boasting a rich history spanning over three decades and 13 studio albums, wasted no time showcasing their signature blend of symphonic and power metal.

Kamelot delved deep into their extensive back catalog, much to the delight of the longtime fans in the audience. Myself included. Prior to picking up concert photography, Kamelot was probably the band I’d seen most often throughout the early through late 2000’s. The only thing that’s changed is the song catalog, because the performance remains ridiculously strong and massively entertaining. Classics like “March of Mephisto,” “When The Lights are Down” and the ever-popular “Forever” elicited enthusiastic singalongs, while the inclusion of “Opus of the Night” and “New Babylon” showcased the band’s ability to weave intricate melodies with powerful storytelling.

Remaining tour dates are listed below the show photos. Even if you’re just a casual metal fan, this tour is worth checking out. Solid lineup, killer performances all around. You won’t be disappointed.

Photos of Kamelot live at The Wellmont Theater:

Photos of Hammerfall live at The Wellmont Theater:

Photos of Ad Infinitium live at The Wellmont Theater:

Remaining Tour Dates:

5.7.24 – San Antonio, TX – Vibes Event Center
5.9.24 – Albuquerque, NM – El Rey Theater
5.10.24 – Tucson, AZ – Encore
5.11.24 – Anaheim, CA – City National Grove
5.12.24 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
5.14.24 – Denver, CO – The Summit
5.16.24 – St. Paul, MN – Myth
5.17.24 – Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Ballroom/Milwaukee Metal Fest (no AD INFINITUM)
5.18.24 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
5.20.24 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian
5.21.24 – Richmond, VA – The National
5.23.24 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogarts
5.24.24 – Atlanta, GA – Heaven – Masquerade
5.25.24 – Tampa, FL – Jannus Landing

Follow Kamelot:
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Who Was The Best Thrash Guitarist? 

Thrash had many great guitarists through the years.
This video looks at several of them and asks:
Who Was The Best Thrash Guitarist?

Who Was The Best Thrash Guitarist?

Thanks to Factor75 for sponsoring today’s video.
Use my link to get 50% off your first Factor box
and 20% off your next month of orders!
https://strms.net/factor75_rockednet

Click here for a video on
10 AWESOME Rock & Metal Video Game Soundtracks!

James Alan Hetfield is an American musician. He is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, co-founder, and a primary songwriter of heavy metal band Metallica. 

Kirk Lee Hammett is an American musician who has been the lead guitarist of heavy metal band Metallica since 1983. 

Kerry Ray King is an American musician, best known for being the co-lead guitarist and songwriter of thrash metal band Slayer. 

Jeffrey John Hanneman was an American musician, best known as a founding member and guitarist of the thrash metal band Slayer. 

Gary Wayne Holt is an American musician from the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Scott Ian is an American musician, best known as the rhythm guitarist, lyricist and co-founder of the metal band Anthrax, of which he is the sole continuous member. 

Miland “Mille” Petrozza is a German musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of thrash metal band Kreator, which he started playing in as Tyrant in 1982 and renamed into Tormentor in 1984. 

Alex Skolnick is an American musician. He is best known as the lead guitarist and one of the songwriters of the metal band Testament. 

David Scott Mustaine is an American musician. He is the co-founder, front man, primary songwriter and sole consistent member of the thrash metal band Megadeth. 

___

“Thrash metal is known for its aggressive guitar work, with some of the genre’s most iconic guitarists including Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, Kerry King, and Dave Mustaine. Kirk Hammett, the lead guitarist of Metallica, is renowned for his technical prowess and melodic solos that helped define the thrash metal sound in the 1980s. James Hetfield, Metallica’s rhythm guitarist and vocalist, is also considered one of the greatest thrash metal guitarists, known for his heavy riffs and rhythmic playing. Kerry King, the co-founder and lead guitarist of Slayer, is celebrated for his lightning-fast playing and aggressive, dissonant solos that epitomize thrash metal. Dave Mustaine, the founder and lead guitarist of Megadeth, is widely regarded as one of the most influential thrash metal guitarists, with his complex, intricate riffs and shredding solos. These four guitarists have left an indelible mark on the thrash metal genre and continue to inspire generations of metal musicians.” (Perplexity)

Shinedown Releases New Line of Hot Sauces

Shinedown Announces New Line of Hot Sauces
With Torchbearer Sauces Symptom Chipotle Garlic Sauce
Named For Current Crossover Hit

“A Symptom Of Being Human”
Available Now! PRESS HERE To Order

Multi-platinum, record-setting band Shinedown just got hotter! The chart-topping superstars have announced a new line of Shinedown Hot Sauce in collaboration with specialty sauce artisan Torchbearer Sauces, with support by Warner Music Experience.The first flavor Symptom Chipotle Garlic Sauceavailable now, is named after Shinedown’s current crossover hit A Symptom Of Being Human,” which continues its rise at pop radio as it inches closer to breaking into the Top 20 on the Top 40 chart (currently #23). Symptom Chipotle Garlic Sauce, the first in a series of Shinedown sauces to come this year, boasts a delectable fusion of chipotle peppers with a smokey flavor and gourmet garlic aioli – creating a sauce with the perfect level of heat to elevate any meal. PRESS HERE to order ($9.99 for a 5 oz bottle) and PRESS HERE to read an exclusive interview and review with UPROXX about Shinedown hot sauce.

“We have been provided a wonderful opportunity to create this ‘Symptom’ sauce with our friends at Torchbearer Sauces,” shares Shinedown drummer Barry Kerch. “Cultivating this sauce has been a passion project and has been an absolute joy to accomplish together. This is just the beginning of what we want to present to the fans of Shinedown. This debut ‘Symptom’ sauce is to be enjoyed by the masses because this one is just right. This hot sauce is for all of us.”

“We are beyond excited to be making sauces with such a huge, influential group of accomplished musicians,” adds David Lynch from Torchbearer Sauces. “Shinedown’s obvious passion for their craft along with the love for (and from) their fans falls right in line with our own feelings towards what we do. In working with them over the past few months, it’s very apparent that this project is going to be huge and we look forward to pushing ourselves to create the best partnership we can. We’ve been around the block a few times and the professionalism and excitement the band has shown us let’s us know that this relationship will be a great one. This is surely the biggest project we’ve worked on and by far the most enjoyable as they have been nothing but helpful and accessible. It’s an honor for Torchbearer to make hot sauces with Shinedown!”

In addition to its success at pop radio, “A Symptom Of Being Human” is the fourth #1 Active Rock single from Shinedown’s acclaimed seventh studio album Planet Zero (Atlantic Records), extending the band’s record for most No. 1 songs on the Mediabase Active Rock Chart (21) and their record for the most No. 1’s in the history of Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart (19), with its multi-format triumph also reaching Top 10 at Alternative and Top 15 at Hot AC. Notable support includes Z100 and SiriusXM Hits 1, where frontman Brent Smith and guitarist Zach Myers recently stopped by both stations for exclusive interviews and performances for Z100’s Elvis Duran and The Morning Showand Hits 1’s Artist Confidential (available on demand for subscribers). The incredible radio success for “A Symptom Of Being Human” marks a return for Shinedown to non-active rock stations for the first time in 15 years following the band’s previous crossover hit Second Chance.

It’s rare for a rock band to break into pop music, but Shinedown has always believed that music is universal and doesn’t have to be put in a genre box. “A Symptom Of Being Human” is resonating with all listeners, including internationally where it’s also impacting at radio, because of its uplifting and important message about how we are all a work in progress. Collectively, “A Symptom Of Being Human” has amassed tens of millions of streams across all versions including a live versionpop remixacoustic version, and piano versionPRESS HERE to watch the official music video for “A Symptom Of Being Human.”

Shinedown, who recently appeared at this year’s iHeartRadio Music Awards where they were nominated for multiple awards including Rock Artist of the Year and presented/introduced their good friend Jelly Roll on the live broadcast, will be performing at select tour dates this spring and summer. The mix of headlining shows and festival appearances includes Boston’s KISS Concert alongside Doja Cat and Jason Derulo, the new South Star Festival with Gwen Stefani, headlining sets at Inkcarceration Festival and Tailgates N’ Tallboys, and more. Visit www.shinedown.com for all upcoming tour dates.

ABOUT TORCHBEARER SAUCES

Torchbearer Sauces is a family-owned business that began in 2005. Owner Vid Lynch, his parents Tom and Tricia, and his buddy Ben Smith created the company from a shared love of spicy, yet flavorful food. Fast forward 19 years and they have over 35 sauces ranging from mild BBQs, marinades, and mustards to melt-your-face-off hot sauces featuring ghost, scorpion, and reaper peppers. The company has grown to employ 10 amazing people striving to make Torchbearer Sauces known and loved world-wide. They’ve had 7 sauces on the hit YouTube celebrity interview show “Hot Ones,” won over 100 national awards for their sauces heat and flavor, and are now really excited to be collaborating with the band Shinedown for a number of sauces. They pride themselves in making the tastiest and most unique sauces with killer artwork that are always Accidentally Healthy, Intentionally Delicious. For more info, visit www.torchbearersauces.com.

___

Shinedown Hot Sauce

NIGHTWISH Announce New Album “Yesterwynde”

Nightwish
Photo credit: Tim Tronckoe

A magic dwells in every beginning, full of anticipation for what lies ahead, making time briefly stand still. This moment seems almost infinite, filled with limitless possibilities for the future and the start of a new era. And now, this moment has dawned for NIGHTWISH

Today, NIGHTWISH finally breaks the quietude to announce Yesterwynde.
The Symphonic metal legend’s new album will see the light of the day on September 20th, 2024. It marks the band’s tenth studio album, following on from the release of Human. :II: Nature. in 2020.

Tuomas Holopainen stated about the new album:
“Yesterwynde is a fantastical voyage through time, memory, and the better angels of human nature.
Three years in the making, we`re thrilled beyond words to soon share our tenth album with the world!”

Furthermore, NIGHTWISH announce the release of the album’s first single today. ‘Perfume Of The Timeless’ will mark the beginning of the band’s new era and will be released on May 21st. Presave the single now.

Yesterwynde Tracklisting:
1. Yesterwynde
2. An Ocean Of Strange Islands
3. The Antikythera Mechanism
4. The Day Of…
5. Perfume Of The Timeless
6. Sway
7. The Children Of ‘Ata
8. Something Whispered Follow Me
9. Spider Silk
10. Hiraeth
11. The Weave
12. Lanternlight

Follow NIGHTWISH:
Website | Facebook | X | Instagram

STARSET Drop “Brave New World” Music Video

Starset

Visionary cinematic rock collective STARSET thrilled fans today with the official music video for the new single “BRAVE NEW WORLD.”

“BRAVE NEW WORLD” packs all the sonic power and punch that STARSET fans have to come to know, expect, and love from the band, complete with a dystopian lyrical bend. Riffs that crackle like electricity, pummeling percussion, and verses that sound like they crawled headlong out of hell living amongst unforgettable melodic refrains, “BRAVE NEW WORLD” is the anthem you’ve been waiting for.

Known for their groundbreaking immersive live shows known as “DEMONSTRATIONS,” STARSET are currently on tour through May 16.

Lauded by Forbes as having “one of the most firmly established brands of any modern rock band,” Columbus, Ohio’s STARSET are creating a true multimedia empire with music at its core. Their hits include RIAA Platinum-selling hit “My Demons” (2012) and RIAA Gold-selling single “It Has Begun” (2014), with others soon to follow. With a staggering 5 billion streams and a rapidly growing rabid global fanbase, 2024 sees STARSET poised to rise as one of rock’s next superstar acts. 

All remaining tour dates are below.

STARSET 2024 TOUR DATES:
5/11 — ATLANTA, GA
5/13 — HARRISBURG, PA
5/14 — BOSTON, MA
5/16 — CHICAGO, IL

Follow STARSET:
Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube

25 Years Of Slipknot | The Podcast That Rocked

The Podcast That Rocked for 4/30/24. Discussion on Slipknot’s 25th Anniversary Tour, Sick New World 2024 recap, Nu Metal Big 4, and more.

The Podcast That Rocked on YouTube
The Podcast That Rocked on Spotify

Discussion Topics: 
-25 Years Of Slipknot “Here Comes The Pain” North America Tour 
-Sick New World 2024 recap and if I’d go again 
Loudwire’s Nu Metal Big 4 
-New Serj Tankian solo EP 

Click here for Sick New World coverage
including 100+ photos, video, live stream recap and more.

Serj Tankian “A.F. Day” (Teaser)

“Slipknot, the iconic heavy metal band from Iowa, is gearing up to celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2024 with a highly anticipated summer arena tour. The band has already announced a series of shows across Europe and the UK, including stops in Amsterdam, Dortmund, Paris, and London. Fans can expect an electrifying and nostalgic experience as Slipknot takes the stage to perform their biggest hits and fan favorites, including “The Blister Exists,” “Psychosocial,” and “Duality.” The tour will also feature support from the Glaswegian heavy metal band Bleed Within, adding to the intensity of the live performances. With the recent release of their seventh studio album, “The End, So Far,” Slipknot is poised to deliver an unforgettable celebration of their illustrious 25-year career, leaving their devoted fanbase in awe. Tickets for this highly anticipated tour are expected to sell out quickly, so fans are advised to secure their seats early to witness this historic event.” (Perplexity)

SLIPKNOT Announce 25th Anniversary “Here Comes The Pain” Summer Arena Tour

Slipknot Announce Here Comes The Pain North American Summer Tour
Celebrating 25 Anniversary of ‘Slipknot’ with special guests
Knocked Loose, Orbit Culture, and Vended

Knotfest Artist Presale Tickets Available Today at 12PM ET Here
General Public On Sale Friday, May 3 at 10 AM Local Here

Heavy titans and cultural phenomenon SLIPKNOT are pleased to announce the North American portion of their Here Comes The Pain Tour. This year the nine are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their seminal debut album, Slipknot, which catapulted the band back in 1999. 

In addition to recently announced dates across the globe, the Here Comes The Pain Tour, produced by Live Nation, includes arena plays nationwide this Summer. Highlights include New York City’s Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome, Austin’s Moody Center and more with direct support from Kentucky’s young and vibrant hardcore/metal forerunners, Knocked LooseOrbit Culture and Vended are confirmed as support on select dates.

Knotfest.com’s artist presale tickets are available today at 12PM ET here. Tickets will be available to the general public on Friday, May 3 at 10 AM Local here. See below for a full list of dates including Slipknot’s homecoming performance at Knotfest Iowa in which the band will play a unique set drawing heavily from their 1999 debut, celebrating 25 years of the self-titled album along with their fans.

There actually was a time when Slipknot and the maggots (the loving name for their fans) did not completely rule the world. 25 years ago, the Des Moines band were just some guys trying to get their new LP noticed– a record that would start their metamorphosis into the most crucial band of the 21st century. That record would change rock as we know it, measuring success with a yardstick bigger than music, one for the influence on youth culture writ large. But these faceless demons from middle America would not only capture the hearts of the youth, they would help guide their tastes, and challenge them and their kin towards a new future.

Released on June 29th, 1999, Slipknot’s self-titled debut was a smash hit with critics and an instant classic with fans. It was, and is, a molotov cocktail signaling a revolution– embracing a creative direction that eschewed metal traditions in favor of fresh ideas. While the jaw-clenching riffs coupled with Ross Robinson’s venomous production were crucial to the album’s success, it was the care and attention to detail in the songcraft that moved the needle from “great” to “benchmark.” Not too shabby for a bunch of guys that only hoped to be heard.

Click here for a recap on
Sick New World 2024, ft. Slipknot

“We loved what we did with the first record but we didn’t even know if there was gonna be anything after that,” recalls guitarist Jim Root“We just wanted people to hear it. Selling out of records and shows, having successful tours– those are goals for any band. But the dream scenario in some ways, came true for us.”

In the years following, Slipknot’s popularity nipped at the heels of elder statesmen and even the band’s heroes, eventually navigating this brave new world with unending drive, fresh ideas and a bloodlust for odometer clicks. Tens of billions of streams and tens of millions of subscribers and followers later, the accolades tell the story: 64 award nominations and 27 wins including a Grammy for “Before I Forget“ from Vol. 3.  A seemingly endless number of tour dates. Headlining slots at some of the biggest festivals in the world such as Download, Rock In Rio, Hellfest, Wacken and many more. Not to mention RIAA certifications by the truckload– 14 platinum certifications and 40 gold across more than 30 million in record and video sales. 

In addition, Slipknot positioned themselves for success with the creation of their own festival Knotfest in 2012, a traveling, multi-stage and experiential event that has appeared 28 times across several countries and locations. The festival has since spun off into a successful entertainment media hub – Knotfest.com, which became a juggernaut of its own making, giving a platform to young freethinkers and like-minded artists.

All of Slipknot’s achievements have helped them claim their rightful seat as pioneers and thought leaders, establishing them as a generational talent– loved by parents AND their children alike. And of course with all those incredible live performances, all that influence, and all that history of playing all those incredible SONGS, Slipknot has only attracted the most dedicated of fans, reaching all the way back to that fateful self-titled effort. 

Slipknot is approaching this 25th anniversary by making the conscious decision to connect to fans as closely as possible, in a similar way to how they encountered Slipknot all those years ago. “Every time I’ve walked on stage, it’s never been about how many people have been there because my culture, the maggots, always show up,” says founding member Shawn “clown” Crahan with a smile. 

“But as we’ve grown as a band, we have had fewer and fewer of those intimate, personal moments, trading them for massive ones. So we’re gonna make it more personal on the anniversary, but how remains to be seen. Just get ready to have your face kicked in. Because we just do what we do, spread that maggot culture – that disease. And you’ve been infected.”

SLIPKNOT LIVE DATES 2024:
May 12: Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome To Rockville
May 19: Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple Festival
Aug 06: Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center *
Aug 07: Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake *
Aug 09: Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena *
Aug 10: Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion *
Aug 12: New York, NY – Madison Square Garden *
Aug 14: Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion *
Aug 15: Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center *
Aug 17: Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena *

Sep 01: Pryor, OK – ROCKLAHOMA
Sep 07: Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre #
Sep 08: Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Styles Resorts Amphitheater #

Sep 09: Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life
Sep 11: Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater #
Sep 13: Inglewood, CA – Intuit Dome #
Sep 15: Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre #
Sep 17: Austin, TX – Moody Center #
Sep 18: Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion #
Sep 21: Des Moines, IA – Knotfest Iowa at Waterworks Park #

Oct 11: Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival
Oct 19: São Paulo, BR – Knotfest Brasil 
Nov 08: Guadalajara, MX – Calle 2
Nov 09: Mexico City, MX – Parque Bicentenario
Dec 05: Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome
Dec 06: Dortmund, DE – Westfalehallen
Dec 08: Stuttgart, DE – Schleyerhalle
Dec 09: Leipzig, DE – Quarterback Immobilien Arena
Dec 11: Zürich, CH – Hallenstadion
Dec 12: Paris, FR – Accor Arena
Dec 14: Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
Dec 15: Glasgow, UK – Ovo Hydro
Dec 17: Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Dec 18: Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena 
Dec 20: London, UK – The O2
Dec 21: London, UK – The O2
* w/ Special Guests Knocked Loose and Orbit Culture
# w/ Special Guests Knocked Loose and Vended

SLIPKNOT | INSTAGRAM | X | FACEBOOK | TOUR DATES

___

Slipknot, the iconic heavy metal band from Iowa, is gearing up to celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2024 with a highly anticipated summer arena tour. The band has already announced a series of shows across Europe and the UK, including stops in Amsterdam, Dortmund, Paris, and London. Fans can expect an electrifying and nostalgic experience as Slipknot takes the stage to perform their biggest hits and fan favorites, including “The Blister Exists,” “Psychosocial,” and “Duality.” The tour will also feature support from the Glaswegian heavy metal band Bleed Within, adding to the intensity of the live performances. With the recent release of their seventh studio album, “The End, So Far,” Slipknot is poised to deliver an unforgettable celebration of their illustrious 25-year career, leaving their devoted fanbase in awe. Tickets for this highly anticipated tour are expected to sell out quickly, so fans are advised to secure their seats early to witness this historic event. 

Slipknot 25th Anniversary