Slipknot has released “Arsenal,” their first new song since the band parted ways with DJ Sid Wilson. The track is a full-throttle return to the group’s early fury, complete with Corey Taylor’s screamed vocals and a video full of ghosts and nightmares. It arrives less than a month after the band announced it was splitting with Wilson.
The Sound of ‘Arsenal’
Taylor delivers total rage, Jim Root and Mick Thomson supply aggro guitar, and percussionists Clown, Tortilla Man, and drummer Eloy Casagrande thunder underneath. There is also plenty of turntablism and keyboards on the track. But with Wilson gone and a new press photo showing only eight members, it is unclear who handles the scratching now.
The song recalls the total fury of Slipknot’s earliest days, with Taylor screaming and his bandmates creating chaos around his voice. The anarchy becomes even more apparent in the video, which matches the track’s intensity.
Taylor’s Screamed Lyrics
Taylor screams on the track: “I got a lot to fuckin’ say/And if you didn’t listen, you didn’t hear me anyway.”
He also chants “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go” as the band builds chaos around his voice.
“I got a lot to fuckin’ say/And if you didn’t listen, you didn’t hear me anyway.”
Crahan’s Video
M. Shawn Crahan, the band’s Clown, directed the clip. It stars actor Jackson White, who descends into a surrealistic, Felliniesque nightmare filled with red and white ghosts and other ghoulies. The visual matches the song’s anarchy, with the band creating havoc around White’s descent.
No Album Plans Yet
Slipknot did not announce any new albums or release plans alongside the single. The band’s last album, The End, So Far, came out in 2022.
More music could be on the way. Crahan recently told Rolling Stone he was in the middle of a writing session for a new album with his other project, Look Outside Your Window, which also features Taylor, Root, and Wilson. That project remains a separate endeavor from Slipknot’s main output.
The Aug. 14 Announcement
“Arsenal” arrived less than a month after the band announced it was splitting with Wilson. On Aug. 14, the group posted a since-deleted social media message.
“Effective immediately, Slipknot will no longer be associated with Sid Wilson,” the post read. “We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Touring With an Anonymous Musician
The band, including Wilson, had been touring with a still anonymous musician who contributed samples and turntablism on the road. That anonymous musician was part of the live setup during the band’s recent touring stretch.
The Eight-Member Photo
| Band Project | Current State | Source-Provided Details |
|---|---|---|
| Slipknot | Released “Arsenal,” no album announced | New press photo shows only eight members |
| Look Outside Your Window | In writing session for new album | Features Crahan, Taylor, Root, and Wilson |
The new press photo shows only eight members of the band. That detail aligns with the departure of Wilson, though the band has not commented on whether the photo reflects a permanent lineup change.
The Takeaway
“Arsenal” delivers the raw aggression that defined Slipknot’s earliest days. The band sounds as heavy as ever, even with one member missing from the photo. For now, the song stands as a statement of intent from a group that continues to push forward.
Source: rollingstone.com
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