Corey Taylor berates AI-generated music

Watch the Slipknot frontman slam the technology

Corey Taylor on stage in Swansea in October 2022
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 17th May 2023
Last updated 22nd May 2023

Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman and esteemed solo artist, Corey Taylor, has shared his candid thoughts on the rise of AI-generated music.

To celebrate his newly premiered single ‘Beyond’ and the recent announcement of his second solo album ‘CMF2’, Corey Taylor was the special guest on Loz Guest’s Kerrang! Radio show on Friday 19th May.

At the end of the wide-ranging chat, Loz asks Corey for his thoughts on AI and whether he’s heard the AI-created duet between himself and Rihanna on YouTube.

Corey Taylor

Sounding highly dejected, Corey responds: “No, I have not seen it. I don't care for any of that crap, dude, to be honest!

“I don't know what people are trying to prove. Are they trying to prove that computers can do things just as good as people? Because if so, then what's the point? It's an even worse example of technology taking over talent than what I've been ranting about for years with Pro Tools and tuning and using the same f---ing sounds.”

Clearly irked by the very notion of AI, Corey continued: “People keep going ‘Oh, isn't it cool?’ I’m like, ‘No it’s NOT cool! What? Are you out of your mind?! What, suddenly now we have no talent, and the only thing that we're going to get that sounds cool and new is from something that doesn't even exist? Screw you man!’

“Every time people get stoked in front of me about AI I go, ‘you're not talking to the right person. You need to go over that way and talk to a dips--- who doesn't care because I hate it. I can't stand it.”

They also discuss the difference between Corey’s 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 much more.

Listen to Loz Guest's Kerrang! Radio show

Hear the bizarre AI-created duet between Rihanna and Corey Taylor:

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 members of Slipknot:

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Nameless Ghoul Aether unmasked

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Nameless Ghoul Fire unmasked

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John 5 unmasked

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Richie Sambora unmasked

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Slipknot’s Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan unmasked

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Slipknot’s Mick Thomson unmasked

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Buckethead unmasked

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Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg unmasked

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Slipknot’s Sid Wilson unmasked

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Limp Bizkit’s Wes Borland unmasked and without makeup

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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

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Slipknot’s Alessandro Venturella unmasked

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KISS’s Paul Stanley unmasked and without makeup

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Slipknot’s Jim Root unmasked

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Behemoth’s Nergal unmasked and without makeup

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Ex-Slipknot percussionist Chris Fehn unmasked

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KISS’s Gene Simmons unmasked and without makeup

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KISS’s Eric Singer unmasked and without makeup

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KISS’s Tommy Thayer unmasked and without makeup

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Ghost Nameless Ghoul unmasked

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Slipknot’s Tortilla Man unmasked

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