Slipknot’s Clown Confirms The Band is Leaving Roadrunner Records

Slipknot have released all seven of their albums on Roadrunner Records, the label that dominated the metal scene through the ’90s and ’00s. Percussionist M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan” confirmed that’s the extent of their contractual obligation to the label in an interview back in June, begging the question: will metal’s second biggest band re-up with Roadrunner, ala Trivium, or seek greener pastures, like Killswitch Engage?

Clown said in that same interview that “we’re getting off our label” and that he wanted Roadrunner to “get the hell away from me,” but given Clown’s penchant for rambling and the fact that he wasn’t even asked specifically about the issue, it was natural to wonder how serious that claim was.

But now, in a new chat with Forbes, he’s doubled down on the assertion that this is it for Slipknot and Roadrunner’s blessed union. Asked the direct question, “So this next record will officially be the last Slipknot record on Roadrunner?,” he responded in uncharacteristically concise and clear fashion:

“Yes sir, seven albums, no ‘Greatest Hits,’ no ‘Best Of,’ no live albums, straight-up rock ‘n’ roll. That’s what we’ve given.”

So there you have it. No more Roadrunner, who must be very sad to lose their biggest band (although the catalogue will surely sell forever… you can expect infinite vinyl reissues of Slipknot albums).

The biggest question, of course, is whether Slipknot will sign with another label or do it all themselves, ala the only metal band bigger than them, Metallica. And I see no reason why it won’t be the latter: the band’s management, 5B, has the infrastructure to pull it off, and Slipknot haven’t shied away from launching ambitious new projects before. Slipknot do not need a record label at this point.

Slipknot have been working on a new album this year and are eyeing late 2021 or early 2022 for a release. They will go on a massive North American tour with Killswitch Engage, Fever 333 and Code Orange later this year unless Covid has other plans. Dates:

Sep. 25 – Des Moines, IA – National Balloon Classic Field (Knotfest Iowa) [Tickets]
Sep. 28 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre [Tickets]
Sep. 29 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater [Tickets]
Oct. 01 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center [Tickets]
Oct. 02 – Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre [Tickets]
Oct. 03 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater [Tickets]
Oct. 05 – Syracuse, NY – Lakeview Amphitheater – Syracuse [Tickets]
Oct. 08 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center [Tickets]
Oct. 09 – Hartford, CT – XFINITY Theatre [Tickets]
Oct. 10 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center [Tickets]
Oct. 12 – Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion [Tickets]
Oct. 13 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live [Tickets]
Oct. 15 – Burgettstown, PA – S&T Bank Music Park [Tickets]
Oct. 17 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion [Tickets]
Oct. 19 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre [Tickets]
Oct. 20 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre [Tickets]
Oct. 22 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek [Tickets]
Oct. 23 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre [Tickets]
Oct. 24 – Pelham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre [Tickets]
Oct. 26 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP [Tickets]
Oct. 28 – Del Valle, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater [Tickets]
Oct. 29 – The Woodlands, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (no Code Orange) [Tickets]
Oct. 30 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion [Tickets]
Nov. 01 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater [Tickets]
Nov. 02 – Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion [Tickets]