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Clown on Slipknot's album cycle: 'We’re all ready to go'

He promises "the music is on fire"

Slipknot's M. Shawn 'Clown' Crahan
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 4th Jan 2019
Last updated 4th Jan 2019

Slipknot percussionist M. Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan says the band are “all ready to go” with the cycle for their upcoming sixth studio album.

A week after confirming their Download Festival headline slot, the masked metallers debuted their brutally heavy single ‘All Out Life’ on Halloween 2018 as a tantalising taster for their new record.

Poised to unleash the album in the coming months, Clown was asked by Kerrang! if he’s ever gone into an album cycle as energised as he is now.

“Never,” he replied. “Not even the first time (June 1999’s self-titled ‘Slipknot’). It’s always been a mess. I’m not going to say it’s not going to be a mess now, but s---’s happening. It’s on. We’re all ready to go. Everybody is so excited.”

Clown continued: “It's even better that Corey (Taylor) is really excited, because he does a lot of work, goes out with Stone Sour, does solo gigs and solo things - from books, to award shows. Whatever he's doing, he does a lot. And it's always awesome to feel his excitement.

“Most people in his situation would be like, 'I'm gonna take a year off,' but he's got a certain demeanour right now for Slipknot. And that feels awesome. And that's how it feels now with all the guys. We have a schedule, and it's f---ing hardcore, and there's a lot of things going on inside that schedule."

Slipknot's masks through the years:

Slipknot in 2000

Slipknot wearing trademark white boiler suits and their horrorshow masks in 2000

Clown on Slipknot's album cycle: 'We’re all ready to go'
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Slipknot 'Slipknot'

Slipknot on the sleeve of their fearsome, self-titled debut album in June 1999.

Asked if he's having the best time of his life right now, Clown enthused: "I really am. I'm blessed to be here, and I still have a band and art form that I love more than anything. They're my friends. We've lost some, we've gained some, but we're all still here and we've learned a lot.

“The music is on fire, the art, I feel, means something to people - and it hasn't always felt that way for me. A lot of that is just me slowing down: relaxing, and trying to have a better time, and having a little fun.

“But I'm still me and I'm still Clown, and I'm getting older. I don't see the worst in a lot of the things I used to fight for. I'm just in a good place, and I want to come out on top for myself."

You can get tickets to Download Festival from Kerrang! Radio Tickets right now.

Feature: Everything we know about Slipknot’s album so far.