Latest news with #Slipknot
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Scotsman
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Remembering Paul Gray: our experiences watching Slipknot to interviewing the late bassist
Celebrate the life of Paul Gray with our trip down memory lane - from Slipknot performing to interviewing the bassist. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This year marks the 15th anniversary of Slipknot bassist Paul Gray's death. The bass player was long considered by many fans as the heart of the band through his interactions with 'maggots.' Benjamin Jackson recalls his interview with the late band member, their discussion over a UK food staple and when he saw the band perform for the first time in 2000. There's a dark cloud hanging over the metal community today, as this weekend marks the 15th anniversary of the death of Slipknot bassist, Paul Gray. For many, the name immediately conjures images of the masked, enigmatic force that was Slipknot. Known to fans as #2 and Pig, Gray was much more than just the bassist; he was a founding member of the iconic Iowan metal band and a primary songwriter. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad His contributions were instrumental in shaping Slipknot's brutal yet melodic sound, helping to forge the unique blend of aggression and artistry that catapulted them to global superstardom. Culture and tickets writer Benjamin Jackson shared his experiences, both seeing Slipknot for the first time and interviewing the late bass player Paul Gray. | Getty Images/Canva Behind the terrifying masks and chaotic stage presence, Gray was often described by his bandmates as the heart of Slipknot, a pivotal creative and emotional anchor. His basslines laid the thunderous foundation for their intricate, nine-member sonic assault, underpinning some of the most influential metal anthems of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. His sudden passing on May 24 2010 left an irreplaceable void, not just within the band, but across the entire heavy metal community. In memory of the bassist, I wanted to share the duality of the performer (to use a Slipknot pun there) - the absolute terror that he and Slipknot were when I first saw the band live back in 2000, and then interviewing this warm, loving, genuinely caring individual before the band performed in New Zealand on their All Hope Is Gone tour. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The first time I saw Slipknot live - March 20 2000, Rock City, Nottingham At 16 years old, living in a small market town with a vibrant community of metallers, punks, and alternative music fans, the journey to Nottingham's Rock City was a pilgrimage. It was there I caught acts like Soulfly, Glassjaw, Hell Is For Heroes, and many others in my formative years. One band, however, filled me with slight trepidation: Slipknot, who had released their Roadrunner Records debut and started to elicit a moral panic about the 'stain' they might leave on the youth of the United Kingdom. You know, akin to the moral panic over Eminem performing in the UK. Kittie's Morgan Lander provided my first memorable moment of the show. Coming on stage to a chorus of misogynistic catcalls, the singer let out a deafening metal growl, telling those people to perform an act that biologically couldn't be performed. It set the tone for a no-nonsense evening of unadulterated metal mayhem. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Slipknot were incredible, as you would expect, and despite being thrown around the mosh pit that evening, I wasn't punched in the face by any member. That's not to say I didn't feel slightly concerned when the band started setting fire to their percussion rigs, cementing themselves as extreme, unpredictable, and a lot of fun. Slipknot set list - Rock City, Nottingham, March 20 2000 (sic) Eyeless Wait and Bleed Liberate Surfacing Purity Spit It Out Only One Get This Scissors Interviewing Paul Gray ahead of Slipknot's NZ shows - 2008 Being told I would be interviewing Paul was a slight relief, but the anxiety lingered; this was a band I knew could be quite volatile – at least, that's what the pages of rock magazines and websites frequently suggested. I was met with a softly spoken, attentive voice on the other end who wasn't just undertaking an interview. He genuinely sounded like he wanted to have a conversation, and even asked about myself, being a journalist, a metal fan, and what New Zealand was like – a complete opposite of the pig-masked maniac on stage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad That was par for the course for Paul, though. The man would happily give up his bass guitar for a fan who explained they wanted to become a musician but couldn't afford the setup. He was the guy who, despite a commotion outside, would call me back asking if I had any other questions or wanted to talk more. The everlasting memory of the interview, as odd as it sounds, was the topic of a UK delicacy I longed for but could never get in New Zealand. Believe it or not, it was the humble Pot Noodle I was craving, but biosecurity laws in the country wouldn't allow it. Discussing the difficulty (for some reason) with Paul, I won't forget how adamant he was with me: 'Really? That's all you want? Did you want me to bring one over with us? Let me know, if you're coming to the show, and I will get you that… Pot Noodle was it?' I bonded with this man, who eight years earlier was on stage while all hell was breaking loose with fire and the carpeted area around the Rock City stage (at that time), over something many people turned their nose at. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But that was part of the reason the bassist was so beloved; he seemed like he would do anything for the fans, enjoyed conversing with people, and took an interest in their lives, rather than simply focusing on the PR message the band was trying to convey during interviews. Did you see Slipknot during their first UK tour, or have you previously had the chance to talk to Paul Gray before his death? Share your memories of the late, beloved bassist by leaving a comment below.
Forbes
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Love Or Loathe Them, Sleep Token Gave Metal It's Biggest Win Since 2019
LEEDS, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Sleep Token performs on Day 3 of Leeds Festival ... More 2023 at Bramham Park on August 27, 2023 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Katja Ogrin/Redferns) Between Ghost's 2025 LP Skeletá and now Sleep Token's Even In Arcadia, metal music has now seen two No.1 charting albums within the span of a month – a feat not seen in over six years for the genre. Slipknot and TOOL's 2019 LPs, both of which released in the month of August, were the last two metal albums to chart at No.1 within the same month time span. With Ghost and Sleep Token achieving their first No.1 charting albums last month, there's a lot to be said about what this implicates for metal and hard-rock music in the mainstream. It bears comparing 2019's back-to-back No.1 metal albums to 2025's, as neither Sleep Token nor Ghost had seen this kind of charting success before, whereas Slipknot and TOOL both had – Slipknot and TOOL's 2019 album sales pale in comparison to their previous No.1 charting records. Furthermore, Ghost isn't exactly new to the scene but they're an arena touring act that's been climbing the charts over the last couple releases, so their sixth studio LP Skeletá was expected to at least make it close to No.1 in the U.S. Sleep Token, however, who only released their first LP in 2019, has seen quite the jump in their fanbase over the last two years – their previous 2023 LP Take Me Back To Eden landed at No. 16 on the U.S. Top 200 albums charts. Since then not only has Sleep Token earned their first No.1 charting album with just their fourth studio album Even In Arcadia, but they've quickly become metal's next arena and festival headliner. What's so striking about Sleep Token's soaring success is the possibilities it could mean for the future of metal, specifically its new and rising acts. For the last two decades, bands in the scene have had to earn their stripes and go above and beyond in their careers to build their fanbase and hopefully become an arena or festival headliner. Acts from the 2000s-2010s like Gojira, Trivium, Deftones and are just now getting to tour across the world as arena headliners, only 20 plus years later. While this aspect hasn't exactly changed in this decade, the means and methods of cultivating a fanbase has changed, specifically with how music consumers engage with music via social media. So many metal and hard-rock artists like Sleep Token and Ghost, have seen such viral success as a result of platforms like Tiktok and Instagram reels. Even Deftones' recent resurgence is a result of Gen-Z's fascination with the 90's-early 2000s nu metal era. However, in the case of Sleep Token, the band brilliantly utilizes their own mystique and ambiguous aura in a way that encourages their own fanbase to consistently engage with them on social media. Sleep Token's unprecedented success this year has been a result of their effective methods in attracting listeners into their fanbase via social media, as well doubling down on their enigma like-persona. Regardless of whether or not you find their music to be great or lackluster, there's a lot that other bands could take away from Sleep Token's success and more importantly how they cleverly engage with their fanbase.
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Scotsman
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Remembering Paul Gray: our experiences watching Slipknot to interviewing the late bassist
Celebrate the life of Paul Gray with our trip down memory lane - from Slipknot performing to interviewing the bassist. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This year marks the 15th anniversary of Slipknot bassist Paul Gray's death. The bass player was long considered by many fans as the heart of the band through his interactions with 'maggots.' Benjamin Jackson recalls his interview with the late band member, their discussion over a UK food staple and when he saw the band perform for the first time in 2000. There's a dark cloud hanging over the metal community today, as this weekend marks the 15th anniversary of the death of Slipknot bassist, Paul Gray. For many, the name immediately conjures images of the masked, enigmatic force that was Slipknot. Known to fans as #2 and Pig, Gray was much more than just the bassist; he was a founding member of the iconic Iowan metal band and a primary songwriter. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad His contributions were instrumental in shaping Slipknot's brutal yet melodic sound, helping to forge the unique blend of aggression and artistry that catapulted them to global superstardom. Culture and tickets writer Benjamin Jackson shared his experiences, both seeing Slipknot for the first time and interviewing the late bass player Paul Gray. | Getty Images/Canva Behind the terrifying masks and chaotic stage presence, Gray was often described by his bandmates as the heart of Slipknot, a pivotal creative and emotional anchor. His basslines laid the thunderous foundation for their intricate, nine-member sonic assault, underpinning some of the most influential metal anthems of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. His sudden passing on May 24 2010 left an irreplaceable void, not just within the band, but across the entire heavy metal community. In memory of the bassist, I wanted to share the duality of the performer (to use a Slipknot pun there) - the absolute terror that he and Slipknot were when I first saw the band live back in 2000, and then interviewing this warm, loving, genuinely caring individual before the band performed in New Zealand on their All Hope Is Gone tour. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The first time I saw Slipknot live - March 20 2000, Rock City, Nottingham At 16 years old, living in a small market town with a vibrant community of metallers, punks, and alternative music fans, the journey to Nottingham's Rock City was a pilgrimage. It was there I caught acts like Soulfly, Glassjaw, Hell Is For Heroes, and many others in my formative years. One band, however, filled me with slight trepidation: Slipknot, who had released their Roadrunner Records debut and started to elicit a moral panic about the 'stain' they might leave on the youth of the United Kingdom. You know, akin to the moral panic over Eminem performing in the UK. Kittie's Morgan Lander provided my first memorable moment of the show. Coming on stage to a chorus of misogynistic catcalls, the singer let out a deafening metal growl, telling those people to perform an act that biologically couldn't be performed. It set the tone for a no-nonsense evening of unadulterated metal mayhem. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Slipknot were incredible, as you would expect, and despite being thrown around the mosh pit that evening, I wasn't punched in the face by any member. That's not to say I didn't feel slightly concerned when the band started setting fire to their percussion rigs, cementing themselves as extreme, unpredictable, and a lot of fun. Slipknot set list - Rock City, Nottingham, March 20 2000 (sic) Eyeless Wait and Bleed Liberate Surfacing Purity Spit It Out Only One Get This Scissors Interviewing Paul Gray ahead of Slipknot's NZ shows - 2008 Being told I would be interviewing Paul was a slight relief, but the anxiety lingered; this was a band I knew could be quite volatile – at least, that's what the pages of rock magazines and websites frequently suggested. I was met with a softly spoken, attentive voice on the other end who wasn't just undertaking an interview. He genuinely sounded like he wanted to have a conversation, and even asked about myself, being a journalist, a metal fan, and what New Zealand was like – a complete opposite of the pig-masked maniac on stage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad That was par for the course for Paul, though. The man would happily give up his bass guitar for a fan who explained they wanted to become a musician but couldn't afford the setup. He was the guy who, despite a commotion outside, would call me back asking if I had any other questions or wanted to talk more. The everlasting memory of the interview, as odd as it sounds, was the topic of a UK delicacy I longed for but could never get in New Zealand. Believe it or not, it was the humble Pot Noodle I was craving, but biosecurity laws in the country wouldn't allow it. Discussing the difficulty (for some reason) with Paul, I won't forget how adamant he was with me: 'Really? That's all you want? Did you want me to bring one over with us? Let me know, if you're coming to the show, and I will get you that… Pot Noodle was it?' I bonded with this man, who eight years earlier was on stage while all hell was breaking loose with fire and the carpeted area around the Rock City stage (at that time), over something many people turned their nose at. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But that was part of the reason the bassist was so beloved; he seemed like he would do anything for the fans, enjoyed conversing with people, and took an interest in their lives, rather than simply focusing on the PR message the band was trying to convey during interviews.
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ozzy Osbourne has a surprising stage successor in the family belting out songs
Ozzy Osbourne daughter Kelly tells how he is a real softie with his grandchild, who might be chip off the old block Ozzy Osbourne may be retiring in a few weeks, but the family may have a successor to the stage. Daughter Kelly revealed that her two year old son Sidney is already belting out tunes. The TV host and singer revealed Black Sabbath rocker Ozzy gets serenaded by his grandson when he is babysitting her son with Slipknot rocker boyfriend Sid Wilson Kelly admitted that Ozzy and Sharon also allow Sidney to do as he wishes during baby sitting times munching through chocolate. Kelly revealed that she's seen Sidney vocalising to cartoons and also to Oz. Kelly said: "He does sing along to them and also to my dad. His favourites are Open Shut Them and Morning Finger." Kelly added that Sidney bonds with his grandparents by "eating chocolate and watching a lot of cartoons, especially anything with trucks, CocoMelon (youtube nursery rhymes), which drives me nuts and Bluey.' The TV personality added that Sidney is "best friends" with her dad, Ozzy Osbourne, 76, and he is a big softy away from his on stage persona. Kelly added: "Oh my God, they're best friends, so, my favourite time of the day is nighttime because [Sidney] leaves me and gets in bed with my mom and dad because I'm staying in their house right now while my house is getting ready. "And he goes and gets in bed with them and they have cartoon time together and it is the sweetest thing ever. I have to literally rip him out." She made those comments to People US as she attended the 32nd Annual Race to Erase MS Gala in Hollywood. The star-studded event, hosted by Caroline Rhea, featured performances by Robin Thicke, A Great Big World and Siedah Garrett. Kelly attended as a mark of support to brother Jack Osbourne, 39, who has multiple sclerosis. "Seeing what my brother goes through and how brave he is and just what an incredible human he is in spite of having relapsing and remitting MS, you would never know if he didn't choose to tell you,' she said. Kelly and Jack are expected in Birmingham this Summer to watch Ozzy play his final show on stage. Ozzy, who has Parkinson's disease, will play with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in the Back to the Beginning show on July 5. The all-day event in Birmingham, the city where the heavy rock pioneers formed in 1968, will also feature sets by a host of major metal bands including Metallica, Slayer and Alice In Chains. Money raised from the show will go to Parkinson's and children's charities.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Kelly Osbourne: Weight criticised more harshly than past drug struggles
LOS ANGELES: English TV personality, actress, and singer Kelly Osbourne has voiced her strong criticism of a "fat-phobic" society, asserting that she faced harsher judgment for her weight than for her struggles with drug addiction. The 40-year-old reality star shared her experiences at the Beacher Vitality Happy & Healthy Summit in LA recently, recounting the negative scrutiny she endured over the years, according to NME. "We live in a fat-phobic world. I have been a drug addict, an alcoholic...I've been a complete mess, disrespectful to people, horrible – but I got more flak for being fat than I did for anything else. It's insane," she said. The daughter of heavy metal legend Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne elaborated, "You'll never read an article about me that doesn't include a comment about my weight. People would say, 'You're so pretty. Why don't you just lose a little bit of weight, and then you'll be the total package?'" Osbourne revealed that her weight loss journey involved "everything" imaginable, including "surgery, medication, diet, and exercise." However, she emphasised that true transformation occurred when she achieved the right emotional mindset. "It's not as simple as changing your diet and moving. "You have to change your brain. You have to come to peace and acceptance about where you are in your life before you can start." Osbourne has been open about her past struggles with addiction. In an appearance on TMZ Investigates last year, she disclosed that she entered rehab for the first time at age 19, having developed an addiction at 13 after being prescribed opioids following a tonsillectomy. She described her early experiences with rehab with a touch of dark humour, saying it was "like university on how to be a better drug addict." Osbourne is currently in a relationship with Slipknot turntablist Sid Wilson, and they have a child born in 2022.
