Why didn’t Slipknot appear in the video for “Arsenal”?

Slipknot have shared an official five-minute behind-the-scenes look at the video shoot for their polarizing new single, “Arsenal”, as per theprp. Directed by band percussionist and longtime creative director M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan, the mini-documentary features an interview in which Crahan details the artistic vision and production process. Explaining why the band members don’t appear in the clip, Crahan noted that work on their eighth studio album is still underway and they haven’t fully entered its promotional campaign yet.

This one was difficult because we definitely wanted to do the band. It feels so right to do the band. It’s too early to make masks and outfits and be sure of that stuff. And I definitely don’t want to regurgitate old stuff, because Slipknot doesn’t do that. It’s my job to make sure we don’t repeat ourselves.

So, this is all supposed to be a little confusing and a little bewildering, because there’s so much more that’s going to be focused in the future. So I just let the song be the song and I thought I’d let the video be the video and people will connect them when they want to. Two for one. [I’m] tired of fighting the song. I’m tired of fighting the video. It’s two for one. Get it when you can. I know you’ll only listen to the song for a while and that’s okay. That’s what we’re here to do. Lucky and blessed to even be able to make a video.

As guitarist Jim Root previously clarified, “Arsenal” is a standalone single and will not appear on the upcoming record, which the group has been tracking with producer Matt Wallace (Faith No More, Mushroomhead). Notably, the track marks Slipknot‘s first release under their new imprint, (sic)est Records—a venture formed in partnership with Roadrunner and Atlantic following the end of their long-standing deal with Roadrunner upon releasing “The End, So Far”. It is also their first music output following the departures of core members Sid Wilson and Craig Jones.