M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan Reflects on Slipknot’s Legacy, Loss, and Revisiting Their 1999 Roots

Slipknot has spent 2024 commemorating the 25th anniversary of their groundbreaking, self-titled 1999 album—a 2x platinum release that reshaped the metal landscape and opened the mainstream to more extreme forms of the genre. The band’s evolution has been on full display this year, with their updated late-90s red jumpsuits and a new set of masks inspired by the iconic originals, alongside the introduction of drummer Eloy Casagrande (formerly of Sepultura), who joined in April.

Though the nostalgia has been embraced by diehard “maggots,” the Slipknot of today is undeniably different from the chaotic crew of 1999. Tragedy and departures have reshaped the band, with the losses of bassist/vocalist Paul Gray (2010) and drummer Joey Jordison (2021), as well as the exits of percussionist/vocalist Chris Fehn (2019) and sampler Craig “133” Jones (2023).

Age, injuries, and the physical toll of their early, reckless live performances have also left their mark. Known for onstage carnage and daredevil antics in their early years, the band’s lifestyle then—fueled by relentless touring and substance abuse—took a toll on both their bodies and mental health. Now, with surgeries, sobriety, and therapy shaping their lives, Slipknot‘s 2025 performances reflect a more calculated chaos, influenced by the realities of aging, personal health, and the responsibilities of headlining large venues.

In a recent Kerrang! cover story, percussionist M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan reflected on how his 1999 self would perceive his current self, stating:

“That younger Clown would probably tell me to get up off my ass. But that Clown has beaten himself into submission over the last 25 years, in pursuit of this vision. My brain still wants to go 24-hours-a-day, and I’d still love to be out there doing flips into the crowd, but my body hurts, so I’m limited nowadays.

Like how I’m having problems with my left knee right now. It just dislocates on its own and I have no idea why. Back then, I wouldn’t care. So many people want to see that old Clown again. But he’s a hard Clown to talk to, a harder Clown to impress, an even harder Clown to find nowadays. That old Clown smirks a lot at the current Clown. And rightly so. If this ‘new’ Clown had to be that old Clown again, I don’t think there would be any Clown at all…”

Given his reflections on the passage of time, revisiting an era from which he feels distanced hasn’t come without its challenges. M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan shared with Kerrang! that the process has been accompanied by trepidation and self-doubt, stating:

“Twenty-five years ago, getting into those red coveralls, I didn’t feel goofy. But I feel goofy in them now. Seriously, how do you [revisit] something that changed your whole life? The world was different. The fans were different. Rock’n’roll was different. Even Kerrang! was different back then.

At the same time, I think the old Clown would be proud to see how hard the new Clown works to still be the Clown, and how I don’t do what I do for anyone but myself. Clown doesn’t partake for money or fame, ego or popularity. It’s still about the inner turmoil; about trying to forgive yourself through performance; about getting out there day after day, year after year, to rejoice with people that you love and music that you’d die for; about cutting yourself open and letting all the filth and disgust bleed out. And there’s been a lot of blood lost. A lot of blood…”

He also expressed gratitude for the contributions of past members, including those who are no longer with the band—or this mortal coil. Reflecting on their legacy, he stating:

“When you talk to the Clown it’s got to be about more than selling magazines and hitting the obvious points. I don’t understand how I can speak about 25 years of that first album without bringing up Joey and Paul, or even Chris and Craig. The grief is big. I don’t really have any regrets other than not having spent more time with those guys.

But you don’t start a band looking at your brother thinking, ‘Dude, you’re going to be the greatest drummer of all time!’ It’s more like, ‘Dude, wake up, we have an in-store today!’ You’re chasing a dream, then living the dream, then all of a sudden someone is gone and it’s like, ‘Damn.’ That’s life.

Joey and Paul show up every night these days, in my energy at least, and I just go down a wormhole of thoughts. It’s a completely spiritual reminiscence and it’s wonderful. I spend a lot of time thinking, ‘Thank you!’”

For the full interview, which explores Slipknot‘s journey to getting signed, the influence of producer Ross Robinson, and more, head over to kerrang.com.

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