New Slipknot era incoming: band to begin writing process

When it comes to the collaborative writing process for their upcoming studio album, it seems like Slipknot hasn’t really gotten started yet, as per theprp. M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan, the group’s percussionist, recently told NME that the multi-platinum masked metal band is presently taking a vacation after wrapping up a touring cycle that coincided with the release of their 2022 album “The End, So Far” and the 25th anniversary of their self-titled debut album. Clown told NME that he and his bandmates haven’t been in a rush to return to the studio yet.

We’re doing the biggest thing we can do right now, which is taking a much-needed break. We’re taking some real human time. Everybody is writing all the time, but we have not got into a place to work on what’s been written.

However, Clown did note that there are tentative plans to get together in the studio this month to begin putting things together. “It feels very positive and everyone is looking forward to getting back at it,” he remarked of their present state of mind. With “The End, So Far” marking the end of Slipknot‘s decades-long partnership with Roadrunner Records, their prospective eighth studio album will mark the start of a new era.

Clown has been juggling his time between working on music for a possible soundtrack for his upcoming Minecraft-based video game project, “Vernearth.”

I’m in the studio almost every week making music without any of the usual pressures or expectations, which is very fulfilling. I’ve also gotten back into drums in a big way to make sure I’m ready for what’s up next [with Slipknot]. I’m really trying to take things to that next level. Music is dead important to gaming.

A significant portion of the aforementioned conversation is on Clown’s development and vision for “Vernearth,” including details of his compulsive days spent creating the project while traveling with Slipknot and playing “Minecraft.” Additionally, he discussed a number of video game concepts that he had previously presented to publishers and developers but were unsuccessful.

One of such endeavors was a game with a rock and roll theme, which Clown reportedly worked on for three years without success.

That still pisses me off because it’s such a no-brainer [coming from a member of a huge rock band]. I reckon it would be as [influential] as ‘Grand Theft Auto‘.