Slipknot's Corey Taylor finishes debut solo album
He recorded the album 'in secret'
Last updated 26th May 2020
Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor has confirmed his debut solo album is finished after he recorded it “in secret.”
Corey was a special guest on Halestorm singer Lzzy Hale’s Raise Your Horns With Lzzy Hale podcast recently when he made the solo album announcement.
Describing the album as “dope” and “really cool”, Corey explained that many songs on the album date back a number of years but they didn’t fit with Slipknot or Stone Sour.
The as-yet-untitled album features guitarists Zach Throne and Christian Martucci (of Stone Sour and Black Star Riders fame), bassist Jason Christopher and drummer Dustin Schoenhofer.
"I secretly recorded my first solo album. I did with the band I've been using for my solo shows for years, and just a bunch of people that I've been working with forever,” Corey explained to Lzzy.
"So it's Jason (Christopher on bass), Dustin (Schoenhofer) on drums, from Walls of Jericho and countless other things, and (guitarist) Zach Throne, who I've been jamming with for a long time, and Tooch (guitarist Christian Martucci), actually, from Stone Sour.
"All five of us did it. We went in and we recorded 25 songs in about two and a half weeks, and we did everything live. And it's dope — really, really cool.
"All the songs are things that I've written over the years but they didn't really fit with either band. So it's the stuff that I've just kind of been sitting on. And I realized - I just kind of turned around and I was just like, 'Geez, I've got all these songs.'
"And I've been kind of talking about doing a solo album anyway, and I was just, like, 'This is the perfect time to do it.'
"And picking those guys was the perfect combo, 'cause we all just love the same kinds of music - the same kinds of rock, the same kinds of punk, the same kinds of metal, the same kinds of everything - and we all were able to incorporate those influences into everything."
Earlier this month, Slipknot cancelled all their 2020 touring activities including Knotfest UK and Knotfest at Sea.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, Slipknot kicked off 2020 with a headline UK and Ireland tour that opened in Dublin and called in at Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Sheffield, Nottingham, Cardiff and Birmingham and London’s The O2.
Slipknot’s Corey Taylor spoke to Kerrang! Radio’s Loz Guest about Knotfest and the band’s legendary two-decade career earlier this year:
Slipknot and more rock acts unmasked:
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.
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.
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.
Listen to Everything That Rocks on Kerrang! Radio. Download our Rayo app, on DAB+, listen online and via your smart speaker (“play Kerrang! Radio”).