Slipknot Tours Will Be a Bit Different Now, Says Corey Taylor

Slipknot is on the road so much it’s surprising they even get to come up for air, sometimes. And, of course, all that ripping and running around is going to take a toll on anyone, especially someone who’s incredibly creative, talented, and sensitive. Like Corey Taylor, who has never shied away from being honest about his mental health. It caused him to cancel his solo tour earlier this year, and it’s going to heavily affect how Slipknot tours going forward.

Taylor was recently interviewed by Alternative Press, where he shared how he faced “a real dark point” around the time of his canceled tour at the beginning of the year, which solidified for him that he needed to make some damn changes. Honestly, I respect the self-awareness and wish more people were comfortable with such openness. He knows he’s been running himself thin—between his solo work, Slipknot, and still very busy schedule with Stone Sour, he really hasn’t had much time for his family or himself. And, that’s what he’s looking to change.

He went pretty in-depth with AP about the things he wants to change, because of how everything has been affecting him. It’s quite clear that his decision to step further out of the spotlight is the healthiest for him.

“I found that my pursuit of work and all things ego was killing me. And nearly killed me. So I’ve reinvested my life to the point [where] I’m only going to work so much. I’ll never be gone from home for more than two-and-a-half weeks. I’m putting importance back on the things I really value. That is the greatest gift I could give myself and my family.

“I, over the last year, have had a complete and utter breakdown of boundaries, mental health, ego, entitlement — the whole nine yards culminating in a very, very real, very near relapse,” said Taylor. “I kinda don’t recognize myself. So, again, I wanted to address this and just tell people that I needed time to reset. I need time to start working on my heart and mind and get straight.”

Slipknot plays Rocklahoma on Labor Day weekend and then has a few sets until mid-September. They’ll have a brief rest period until late October, and I hope each of them gets the rest they really need.