Slipknot guitarist Jim Root has offered an unusually blunt assessment of the band’s 2022 album ‘The End, So Far’, describing the record’s creative process as difficult and ultimately calling the finished product “disjointed and a mess.”
Root made the comments while responding to a fan on social media, continuing a recent series of candid discussions about Slipknot’s past and the creative direction of their upcoming eighth studio album.
The guitarist acknowledged that ‘The End, So Far’ did contain some material he was proud of, but said the circumstances surrounding its creation — including the COVID-19 pandemic and the broader state of the world at the time — made the process particularly challenging.
“TESF was disjointed and a mess. Some good stuff came from it. But overall Covid and the state of the world made that a very hard process for us. Among other circumstances.”
The album also marked the end of Slipknot’s longtime deal with Roadrunner Records, leaving the band in a position to determine their next steps. The group has since launched (sic)est Records in partnership with Roadrunner and Atlantic, with the forthcoming album set to be the first released through that venture.
Root also pushed back against the idea that outside A&R influence has traditionally dictated the band’s creative process. He recalled an interaction with the head of Warner during a tour of the company’s New York offices, where the possibility of bringing in outside songwriters was raised.
“…we’ve never had a A&R guy over our shoulders suggesting this or that. I did meet the head of Warner on a tour of the offices in NYC once. He brought up ‘bringing in outside writers’ and I just said… ‘No. That’s not what we do’ and that was the end of it.”
The discussion also touched on Slipknot’s touring decisions, including the band’s upcoming shows with Marilyn Manson and Kublai Khan TX. Root made it clear that he does not play a major role in determining the band’s touring logistics, explaining that his attention remains focused primarily on writing and playing guitar.
“I stay out of the logistics of touring and all that. I concentrate on writing and being a guitarist… so forgive my ignorance about who we do shows with. There are other people with much bigger brains than I that coordinate all that and I honestly don’t keep up with new bands or new music etc.”
Root also explained that he intentionally avoids following current musical trends, preferring to keep his creative influences separate from what is happening in contemporary music.
“I’m stuck listening to the same music my parents listened to when I was forming myself as a little human. And I purposely don’t listen to or pay attention to what’s ‘trending’ or what’s happening at the moment as to not get influenced by anything.”
Those comments come as Slipknot continue recording their next album with producer Matt Wallace, whose previous credits include Faith No More and Mushroomhead. A 2027 release is expected, with the band also preparing a newly announced stadium tour in support of the record.
Root has previously indicated that the band is deliberately avoiding simply recreating its most celebrated earlier material. Instead, he says the current sessions are focused on experimentation and capturing a particular atmosphere.
“[It’s a] very important thing for us at this time is to not ‘repeat’ ourselves. It’s gonna hurt some feelings. We’re really experimenting with different approaches… don’t expect another ‘Iowa’ or ‘self titled’ record. We’ve been there. The vibe feels honest and true to me. It’s uneasy and reminds me of recording in the earlier days.”
While Root does not expect the new material to necessarily sound like Slipknot’s early albums, he believes the atmosphere surrounding the current sessions shares something with those formative years. He also acknowledged that some of the band’s later work felt overly produced, particularly in terms of layered guitar arrangements.
For now, the guitarist appears particularly engaged with the current recording process, describing the atmosphere around the sessions as one that feels more natural and unpredictable than the circumstances surrounding ‘The End, So Far’.
If you’re rocking with The Mosh Network, hit the link and add us as a Preferred Source on Google. That’s the easiest way to keep our latest metal, hardcore, and alternative news, tours, and releases showing up directly in your feed.
