In a surprise move, Grammy-winning heavy metal band Slipknot has announced its decision to cut ties with keyboardist and DJ Sid Wilson, a member of the group for nearly 30 years. The news was shared in a statement posted on the band’s Instagram and website on Friday, August 14, before being deleted shortly after.
According to the statement, which remains available on the Knotfest Instagram account, Slipknot will no longer be associated with Wilson, effective immediately. The band expressed its well wishes for Wilson’s future endeavors. The exact reasons behind the split have not been disclosed, but the decision comes after weeks of speculation regarding Wilson’s status in the group.
Wilson joined Slipknot in 1998, bringing his impressive DJing skills to the table. His recruitment occurred just before the band’s mainstream breakthrough, which was marked by the release of their self-titled debut album in 1999. The album, which peaked at No. 51 on the Billboard 200 chart in May 2000, was the band’s first to appear on the all-genre chart.
Since then, Slipknot has achieved significant success, landing six top 10 albums and three No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart: All Hope Is Gone in 2008, .5: The Gray Chapter in 2014, and We Are Not Your Kind in 2019. The band also won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for the song ‘Before I Forget’ in 2006, among 11 career nominations.
Last month, reports emerged that Wilson had been notified of his departure from the group on July 31. However, Slipknot guitarist Jim Root cast doubt on the report, advising fans not to jump to conclusions and to wait for more information. The band’s recent statement confirms Wilson’s departure, although the circumstances surrounding the split remain unclear.
Slipknot’s most recent album, The End, So Far, debuted and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2022. The band has not commented further on Wilson’s departure or its plans for the future.
The separation of Slipknot and Sid Wilson marks the end of an era for the band, which has undergone various lineup changes throughout its history. As the band moves forward, fans will be watching closely to see how this change affects their music and live performances.
