I remember my first Slipknot show like it was yesterday - October 31, 2001. The Knot was co-headlining the Pledge of Allegiance tour with System of the Down in the US. Joey’s drum solo that night changed the course of my life forever. His platform began to rise, as he started spinning. Eventually, the platform started to tilt forward until Joey and his drum kit were completely vertical. He continued drumming furiously as if none of this was going on. I was in fucking awe. I had never seen anything like this in my life. At one point, the platform paused from spinning to flash the pentagram. I think it was at that moment that 13 year old me knew Slipknot would be my favorite band until the end of time.
Slipknot changed my life. Iowa was always a influential force in my teenage years. It had a permanent residence in my stereo with the 5-disc CD changer (y’all kids don’t know about that life). It is still, to this day, my favorite album of all time. I loved everything about the Iowa era. From the dark, chaotic heaviness that spurred from the album to their masks and overall aesthetic. We were even blessed with a proper music video in Left Behind that didn’t get banned on MTV. Joey was a part of it all.
Joey and Slipknot helped me through so many difficult periods in my life. It was why I was so devastated when Joey was dismissed from the band 8 years ago. I couldn’t listen to their fifth album, The Gray Chapter, because it was the first Slipknot record without him - I still can’t. I even missed an opportunity to see Slipknot and Korn together on tour. I just didn’t want to see a Slipknot without Jordison. It felt like a death in the family. I didn’t think it was possible to feel even worse than I did at that time, but I was very wrong… A world without Jordison at all makes me so fucking sad.
The headlines didn’t seem real at first. It wasn’t until the next day that I started to get emotional. All the social media posts, articles, and tributes to him have killed me. I decided to watch a video tribute for Joey, and ended up crying midway through the workday. It was even more heart wrenching to see the social media blackout from Slipknot and it’s members. There was nothing I wanted more than to see Joey sit on the throne with Slipknot just one more time, even if I couldn’t be physically there to see it. I had so much hope, and now it’s all gone.
I still don’t think it’s real. Jordison was a fucking legend. He was one of the greatest drummers of our time. A metal icon. I’ll never forget what he’s done for the Metal community while he was on this Earth. I’ll never forget what he’s done for me. I am blessed to have seen him live several times throughout my life. Joey gave me Slipknot, and will always be one of my favorite members of the Nine.
➊ Rest easy, Joey.
I’ll be seeing Slipknot for the fifth time in October, if today’s current events and selfish population allow it. I really need the musical therapy, and I’ll be crushed if it doesn’t happen this year.
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