Slipknot’s Clown talks 2024 tour and new material: “This band has never been happier”

nme.com:

lipknot’s founding member and percussionist Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan has spoken to NME about the band’s upcoming tour, as well as numerous new releases, career highlights and the importance of nostalgia.Earlier this week, the masked metal icons announced news of a 2024 UK and European tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their self-titled debut album.

As tickets have gone on sale, Crahan has opened up to NME about why it was so important for the band to go back to their roots, and revealed that there are plenty of surprises in store for the new year.“25 years is swirling in our brain now,” Clown told NME. “There’s so much audio and footage from that time, so we’re reminiscing about our culture and the people that felt it.

I’m harnessing the energy of [late members] Paul [Gray] and Joey [Jordison]. They weigh heavy on my heart at the moment and there are so many things happening in my mind about yesteryear.

I remember it like it was yesterday.”He continued: “Everything I experienced 25 years ago on that first album set the precedent for me sitting here today, so it only makes sense to try to come back and [celebrate those] things the best we can.”Not only did the news of the tour arrive in celebration of the anniversary milestone, it also came following the unexpected departures of two members in just five months – drummer Jay Weinberg and keyboardist Craig Jones.However, according to Clown, despite the rumours going around about the line-up, the iconic masked metallers have got their eyes set solely on the road ahead and have some new material in the pipeline that maggots can’t afford to miss.Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan: “We are completely in reflection mode and reflection can bring tears.