Slipknot's Shawn "Clown" Crahan Confirms NEW Studio Album & Discusses 10th-Anniversary Reissue Of 'Iowa'!

Ever since the tragic passing of Slipknot's bassist Paul Gray in May of 2010, the future of Slipknot has been one of the biggest mysteries within the Heavy Music world. While the band did make a triumphant return to Europe this summer, where they headlined the Sonisphere Festival show in Knebsworth, England, the remaining members of Slipknot are taking their time and are strategically planning every step the band takes after the passing of # 2. Here is what percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan had to say about this matter, on a recent interview with Kerrang! magazine.

"There's plans [to make another record] but that's a way off. No one will push it, because it's going to be a big one. It'll be closer to 'Iowa', but it'll be sadder and crazier. And really thought provoking, it could even be conceptual. We're still taking some time to reflect on our brother [Gray]. Everybody needs to be collecting thoughts so they can get it out and no one has really had time to collect thoughts yet. But we're the fucking 'KNOT. And when we come out, you'll know your band is done."

This is what vocalist Corey Taylor had to say regarding a NEW Slipknot album.

"It's still too soon. At least that's how I feel. I'm not ready to make a Slipknot album. I think there will be a day when we do. But for me, doing it now wouldn't make sense. You can't do a three-week tour then jump into the studio, especially after something like this. It makes more sense to do a few more tours and reconnect as a band first. If we jumped right in, it wouldn't be about the absence. It would be about the rest of us. We were the nine, but there's a piece missing. We should allow people to pay their respects before we come out with new music. We should do this right."

Regarding the reissue of "IOWA" (set for release on November 1, 2011, via Roadrunner Records), this is what "Clown" had to say to Terrorizer Magazine the external influences that went into the writing process behind "Iowa".

"Basically being on the road for a long, long time for the first record [1999's self-titled debut], not knowing if we were ever going to stop, taking all that knowledge, not making a fucking dollar that whole time, the drugs, the alcohol, the isolation, the sadness of being alone for some. Those are just a few things that went into making "Iowa". And lets not forget where the world was at that time the world was a very scary place at that time, things that happened in 2001, that changed the world forever."

As far as touring plans, both Corey Taylor and Shawn Crahan confirmed a few weeks ago that Slipknot are planning a US tour for Spring of 2012. Stay tuned for more Slipknot news!

Related links:
SLIPKNOT's Official Site
Roadrunner Records