On the occasion of the upcoming Slipknot tour, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of a legendary debut that fundamentally changed the metal scene.
Slipknot: Out of Control
Shawn, what is the legacy of the debut from today's perspective?
Shawn Crahan: To be honest, I'm ambivalent. First of all, because it's impossible to talk about this album without thinking of Paul Gray and Joey Jordison (bassist Paul Gray died in 2010 from an overdose of morphine and fentanyl, ex-drummer Joey Jordison suffered from a rare spinal cord disease and passed away in 2021 - editor's note). I've given a few interviews about the 25th anniversary, but what I actually said isn't always written: It's difficult to celebrate something so extraordinary in my life when two such important contributors are no longer around to comment on it themselves.
From that point of view, it's rather annoying that I'm giving interviews. I played and still play a very different role in this organization than those two guys. I want to take the time to honor Paul and Joey. Everyone contributed to SLIPKNOT, but these two had a big part in the compositions. We miss them very much. Everyone is trying to put a label on this debut and tell us how we felt - but no one can do that.
When I'm on stage, you don't know what my thoughts are, what my feelings are. The anniversary brought back a lot of memories for me. I'm absolutely blessed to have reached this point in my life. You're born, you find yourself, then other people, and together you create something as original as SLIPKNOT. Talking about it 25 years later feels surreal. But the journey to get here has been amazing.You describe yourself as a “caretaker” – how did this role shape the reissue process?
SC: People don't really understand my role. When you saw Joey playing drums, you knew straight away what it was about. When you were around Paul, you immediately knew that you were dealing with a genius. With me, it's a bit more complicated. I've often been asked the wrong questions over the past 25 years. For example: What is the album cover about? THE END, SO FAR has been out since 2022, and no one has ever been interested in that question.
Being a caretaker - or call it a steward - is not a regular job for me, it is a matter of the heart. I believe I was born to promote art and make visions come true. My job is to make sure Slipknot doesn't repeat itself. I remember very well where we came from and know where we are and where we want to go.
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