Corey Taylor calls Download the 'the daddy' of festivals and vows to play again in 2024

He even prefers Download to Knotfest

Corey Taylor on stage with Slipknot in May 2023
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 30th May 2023
Last updated 30th May 2023

Slipknot and Stone Sour vocalist Corey Taylor has hailed Download Festival as his “favourite festival ever” and revealed his plans to play Donington yet again in 2024.

Following the announcement of his second solo album ‘CMF2’, which features the Kerrang! Radio playlisted single ‘Beyond’, Corey Taylor recently spoke to Kerrang! Radio’s Loz Guest.

During the chat, Corey looked forward to Slipknot’s headline performance at Download Festival on Sunday 11th June – their fifth bill-topping slot on the sacrosanct turf of Donington Park.

“Any time I get to be a part of Download is special man. It’s my favourite festival ever,” Corey enthused. “It's nothing against the other festivals that I've been a part of or even the one that I co-own (Knotfest), it's just Download is the daddy, man. For me it always has been.”

Corey Taylor

Reflecting on his Download Festival debut at the inaugural event in 2003, Corey said: “When I first played there was with Stone Sour in 2003 on the first album. I didn't even play there with Slipknot first, I played there with Stone Sour.

“And I remember I made this horrible wife beater (T-shirt) that I used a Sharpie and I tried to redo the Union Jack so it's just really crappy Sharpie marker and it's the Union Jack kinda. It said ‘Donington’. But I was so big at the time, and it was so messy that it was just kind of stretched.

“I just remember being on that stage going, ‘if nothing else happens, I can say that I was a part of this festival.’”

Corey Taylor at the first Download Festival in 2003

Corey added: “Luckily (Download have) had us back multiple, multiple, multiple times, and every time we take to that stage whether it's headlining with Slipknot or headlining the second stage with Stone Sour, or hopefully being able to play it next year maybe with CMFT, it's special, and it will always be special for me.”

Watch the full Corey Taylor interview below where he also discusses the difference between his solo career and his day job fronting Slipknot and Stone Sour, the making of ‘CMF2’ and how a third solo record is already in the works, the gloriously bonkers Mad Max-esque ‘Beyond’ video, and his loathing for AI-generated music.

Corey Taylor's 'CMF2' track-listing and artwork:

The Box

Post Traumatic Blues

Talk Sick

Breath Of Fresh Smoke

Beyond

We Are The Rest

Midnight

Starmate

Sorry Me

Punchline

Someday I’ll Change Your Mind

All I Want Is Hate

Dead Flies

Corey Taylor - CMF2

Rock stars unmasked, including Corey Taylor:

Ghost’s Tobias Forge (aka Papa Emeritus) unmasked

Flanked by his band of Nameless Ghouls, Tobias Forge has adopted a number of papal guises over the years; from the various incarnations of Papa Emeritus through to Cardinal Copia and Papa Emeritus IV. On the right is Tobias Forge without his mask at the Grammy Awards in 2019.

Nameless Ghoul Aether unmasked

In May 2022, Yorkshire musician Chris Catalyst revealed he had been masquerading as the Nameless Ghoul Aetha on Ghost's tours. Following the final arena date of Ghost's European Imperatour at László Papp Budapest Sports Arena in Hungary, Catalyst shared a group photo backstage and wrote: "Amaaaazing tour with our wonderful Ghost family. I suppose that's that particular cat out of the bag. So great to be doing this again. Playing this fantastic music with these brilliant people makes me run out of superlatives." In June 2023, Catalyst confirmed he's no longer a touring member of Ghost.

Nameless Ghoul Fire unmasked

Chris Catalyst's end of tour photo also confirmed that Ghost's Nameless Ghoul lead guitarist, Fire (formerly Alpha), is former Bloodbath guitarist Per Eriksson. Fans have also given the Swedish musician's character the nickname Sodo.

John 5 unmasked

When he's performing live with Rob Zombie, guitarist John 5 wears makeup and masks onstage, including this Aliens-esque guise at Download Festival in 2014. The 52-year-old musician has recently been recruited as a touring member of Mötley Crüe and he's performing sans makeup on stage.

Richie Sambora unmasked

In February 2023, former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora was unveiled as Jacket Potato on ITV show The Masked Singer. Speaking about his involvement in the show, Richie Sambora said: "It took a little getting used to (singing in a potato), but once I put it on, that was it! It's a wild reality when you do this show, it's a gas. Everyone has treated me so good here. I've had a ball! It's been a lot of fun."

Slipknot’s Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan unmasked

Slipknot percussionist #6 Shawn Crahan unveiled his new silver clown mask to the world when the Iowan masked metallers premiered fearsome single 'Unsainted' in May 2019. Outside of the day job banging things with Slipknot, the unmasked Shawn Crahan is an acclaimed film director and photographer.

Slipknot’s Mick Thomson unmasked

Slipknot guitarist #7 Mick Thomson's metallic hockey mask is so perfectly formidable it has remained relatively unchanged for years. On the right is an Mick Thomson without his mask traversing the streets of New York in 2019 ahead of Slipknot's appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Buckethead unmasked

The highly enigmatic guitarist, who wears a KFC bucket on his head, revealed his real identity on self-released 2013 album 'Pike 13'. It poignantly depicts a younger Buckethead – real name Brian Carroll – without his mask on and hugging his late dad.

Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg unmasked

Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg and his proper horrorshow burlap mask. On the right is the devilishly handsome Jay Weinberg without his mask. Weinberg joined Slipknot in 2014 replacing the departing Joey Jordison, who sadly passed away in 2021.

Slipknot’s Sid Wilson unmasked

Slipknot turntablist #0 Sid Wilson's mask dramatically changed in 2019 from his more traditional skull and gas masks to an almost Palpatine -esque deformed human mask with black robes. On the right is Sid Wilson without his mask at the premiere of Slipknot: Day Of The Gusano in Beverly Hills.

Limp Bizkit’s Wes Borland unmasked and without makeup

Chameleon-like Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland is constantly coming up with brilliant new looks for the band's live shows. Fusing a mask with crudely painted make-up, this brilliantly disturbing guise is like a cross between Salvador Dali, The Joker and a demented aristocrat. Here is Wes Borland without his mask and makeup at a photoshoot in 2017.

Slipknot’s Corey Taylor unmasked

Slipknot singer #8 Corey Taylor's guise evolved into a sinister translucent mask in 2019. As the frontman of Stone Sour - and arguably the most famous member of Slipknot to boot - unless you've been living under a rock for the past two decades, you'll be well aware of what Corey Taylor looks like without his mask.

GWAR’s Blothar unmasked

Following the untimely death of singer Oderus Urungus (aka Dave Brockie) in 2014, GWAR recruited Blothar - aka Michael Bishop – as their new frontman who comes complete with a pigface goblin guise. On the right is Blothar without his mask and outlandish costume speaking at a TED Talk in 2015.

Slipknot’s Alessandro Venturella unmasked

Slipknot bassist Alessandro "Alex" Venturella's mask changed from a hessian fabric mask into patterned copper mask in 2019. The genial-looking chap on the right is Alessandro Venturella without his mask.

KISS’s Paul Stanley unmasked and without makeup

Alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley has been a member of KISS since their inception in 1973 and his alter ego The Starchild has remained a constant all this time.

Slipknot’s Jim Root unmasked

Slipknot guitarist #4 Jim Root has worn a Jester mask for the entirety of his career with only minor changes in its design. Why change perfection?! Jim Root is immediately identifiable even without his mask thanks to his luscious, voluminous beard.

Behemoth’s Nergal unmasked and without makeup

One of the standout Main Stage acts at Download Festival 2019, Polish blackened death metallers Behemoth – led by the fearsome lead vocalist Nergal – have always adorned striking make-up on stage creating an enigmatic aura. On the right is Adam Nergal Darski without makeup at an album signing session.

Ex-Slipknot percussionist Chris Fehn unmasked

Before he exited Slipknot in somewhat acrimonious circumstances in April 2019, #3 Chris Fehn wore a distinctive Liar Mask – aka the Pinocchio Mask. On the right is the Chris Fehn without his mask at the premiere of Shawn Clown Crahan's movie 'Officer Downe' in 2016.

KISS’s Gene Simmons unmasked and without makeup

On stage and wearing his trademark makeup, Gene Simmons adopts The Demon persona.

KISS’s Eric Singer unmasked and without makeup

Following the death of the late-great Eric Carr in 1991, new drummer Eric Singer didn't adopt his The Fox persona; instead he resurrected original drummer Peter Criss' The Catman guise.

KISS’s Tommy Thayer unmasked and without makeup

Joining KISS permanently in 2002, Tommy Thayer jumped straight into Ace Frehley's platform heels and took on his The Spaceman makeup design.

Ghost Nameless Ghoul unmasked

In March 2017, a Swedish musician called Martin Persner shared a video claiming he was formerly a Nameless Ghoul in Ghost called Omega. He left the band in July 2016 after a seven-year stint.

Slipknot’s Tortilla Man unmasked

When Tortilla Man replaced percussionist Chris Fehn in 2019, Slipknot kept his identity shrouded in mystery. It didn't take fans long, however, to suss out that Tortilla Man was Michael Pfaff, the keyboardist for M. Shawn 'Clown' Crahan's side project Dirty Little Rabbits.

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