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Corey Taylor: 'I'm really glad I didn't walk away from Slipknot'

He reveals he almost quit the legendary band on occasions

Slipknot's Corey Taylor
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 6th Feb 2020
Last updated 12th Feb 2020

In an exclusive new interview with Kerrang! Radio, Corey Taylor has revealed he has been “so close to walking away” from Slipknot on occasions over the years.

Corey Taylor recently sat down with Kerrang! Radio’s Loz Guest backstage at Birmingham Arena during Slipknot’s triumphant UK tour to talk about the Iowan masked metallers’ legendary two-decade career.

Asked by Loz if the brotherhood in the band has carried them through the past 20 years, Corey replied: “There have definitely been more tense moments than good ones. We’re all frenetic; we all come from different backgrounds musically, environmentally, culturally. It’s been tough sometimes.

“But the thing that I have noticed as we’ve gone on and we’re still doing this, we have allowed ourselves to recognise how good we really are. We’ve allowed ourselves to step away from the stoicism that comes from being from the Midwest and we’ve embraced each other.”

Slipknot in their early days © Getty

Reflecting upon the secret to Slipknot’s longevity, Corey added: “We recognise that it takes work to be in this band and when we’re all going for it there’s an appreciation that maybe before we felt we couldn’t show, and the more that we all show that the better it feels as a brotherhood.

“There have been moments where I’ve come so close to walking away from this and I’m really glad that I didn’t to be honest. The payoff has been fantastic, especially now that we’re in this really great place and we are performing at a level that is still top notch.

“And writing music that is still really good and connecting with a whole new generation, which is insane. I don’t think we could have done it with anybody else to be honest.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Corey revealed that Slipknot almost called it a day soon after their self-titled debut album ‘Slipknot’ was unleashed in 1999.

“When we really exploded, we had serious talks about breaking up and pulling a Sex Pistols and be like put a massive album out and then say, ‘screw you, we’re outta here!’”, Corey said.

“Those were real conversations! I feel like we’ve failed everyone by making ‘Iowa’ (laughs). It was such a great thing to think about. None of this (massive success) was expected, man. Just on paper we shouldn’t have made it and yet here we are! It’s a weird feeling still.”

Watch the full Corey Taylor interview:

Elsewhere in the interview, Corey chats more in-depth about Slipknot’s fabled career, and opens up about his love for the UK, his plans for Knotfest in Milton Keynes, why he credits Clown for the unifying aesthetic vision of Slipknot, how the band are appealing to multiple generations of fans and much, much more.

>> Listen to Kerrang! Radio <<

Slipknot's masks through the years:

Slipknot in 2000

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

Corey Taylor: 'I'm really glad I didn't walk away from Slipknot'
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Slipknot 'Slipknot'

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

Curated by Slipknot, Knotfest UK will take place at The National Bowl, Milton Keynes on 22nd August. It marks Slipknot’s first time back at the renowned venue since their legendary set at Ozzfest in 2001.

Knotfest UK’s full line-up and on-site activities will be announced in due course.

Tickets to Knotfest are on sale from Kerrang! Radio Tickets now.

Slipknot's Knotfest UK