Image: Anthony Scanga [Official press photo]
Slipknot seems to be unable to stay out of the headlines. Once again, there will be a change in the lineup as Jay Weinberg is no longer part of the metal band. What's going on?
Slipknot has already parted ways with several band members in the past, so it's almost not surprising anymore when it happens again. Drummer Joey Jordison was dismissed from the band in 2013 and was replaced by Jay Weinberg in 2014. Since then, he has been fully committed and proved himself as a worthy successor. However, on Sunday it was announced that Slipknot is now also saying goodbye to him, just months after parting ways with Craig Jones.
The Band's Statement
Slipknot posted a statement on social media regarding Jay Weinberg's departure. It reads as follows:
The statement can no longer be found on Slipknot's page. No statement from Jay Weinberg is known so far.
Jay Weinberg With Slipknot
Why Jay Weinberg has to leave due to a "creative decision" is still incomprehensible to all fans. After all, the drummer has done unbeatable work for the band over the last ten years. He can be heard on three studio albums: .5: The Gray Chapter, We Are Not Your Kind and The End, So Far. He proved to be a worthy successor to Joey Jordison and was voted the best drummer in the metal genre worldwide in 2019. He was even able to beat Paul Bostaph from Slayer, Ray Luzier from Korn and other worthy opponents!
So the current situation certainly can't be down to a lack of talent. Nobody has assumed that either, as this has not been the case with any of the line-up changes so far.
Picture: Jay Weinberg, @jayweinberg [Instagram]
The Joey Jordison Era
Even Joey Jordison, longtime drummer of Slipknot and founding member, was excluded from the band. He had played in the band for eighteen years, from 1995 to 2013, when news of Slipknot was made public on December 12. He himself provided some statements about the circumstances in interviews. According to Jordison, his dismissal had to do with his health condition. The musician was diagnosed with Transverse myelitis and died at the age of just 46 in July 2021. He told S.A. Metal Music Examiner clearly:
"I didn't quit Slipknot. I would never have quit Slipknot, ever."
According to Jordison, he was visited by a Slipknot member during a hospital stay and was subsequently kicked out of the band. He himself did not know what had happened. His former bandmates did not make any further statements. However, when he passed away, they shared a video titled "Joey Jordison: 1975 - 2021" on their official YouTube channel.
Image: Joey Jordison: 1975 - 2021 [YouTube]
Fans are still upset about the band's separation from the popular drummer. As a founding member, he had a huge influence on the early sound. He also gave Slipknot fans the nickname Maggots. He played on the band's first four studio albums, from the self-titled album Slipknot to All Hope Is Gone. He was also involved in the songwriting. Many consider him to be one of the best drummers of all time. Not only his performance on the albums, but also his thrilling live shows and drum solos are second to none. How many drummers can play upside down on a spinning drum riser and still sound as strong as they do in the rehearsal room? In 2010, Rhythm magazine named him the best drummer of the last 25 years.
During his time with Slipknot, Jordison was also active in other band projects. At times he stood in for the drummers of other bands, even Lars Ulrich from Metallica, when they were unable to play for various reasons. He was also known as the guitarist for the Murderdolls. But even after he had to take off his mask and no longer played with Slipknot, he continued to make music. He played drums in the alternative metal band Scar the Martyr, which he founded with Jed Simon in 2013. When the band disbanded in 2016, he continued with Vimic and also played death metal with Sinsaenum. He will definitely forever remain in the hearts of Slipknot fans.
