Longtime Slipknot percussionist Chris Fehn, had parted ways with the band, it was announced on Sunday.
An official statement posted to the group’s official website revealed his exit. “Slipknot’s focus is on making album No. 6 — and our upcoming shows around the world — our best ever,” they wrote.
“Chris knows why he is no longer a part of Slipknot,” they continued. “We are disappointed that he chose to point fingers and manufacture claims, rather than doing what was necessary to continue to be a part of Slipknot.”
The unexpected departure comes after The Blast reported that Fehn, 46, had sued his former bandmates.
Fehn’s lawsuit claims that he’s been shortchanged for years of touring with the Iowa-based metal outfit. He’s reportedly now fighting to collect the unseen profits he claims that he is owed.
It’s currently unclear whether Fehn was booted from Slipknot, or he made the decision himself to leave after more than two decades of service.
READ MORE: Slipknot announces massive ‘Knotfest Roadshow’ tour and new album
The band reportedly had an agreement that they would evenly split all profits from touring and merchandising through a single company that fairly distributes payments to each of the nine members.
Fehn, however, alleged that since he joined the band, multiple other businesses have been factored into these financial distributions without him even knowing.
He reportedly claimed that he was unaware of these supposed businesses and never received any financial compensation from them.
Left Behind, some might say, however, Slipknot’s statement suggested it was Fehn’s own decision to leave the group.
“We would have preferred he not take the path that he has,” they wrote, “but evolution in all things is a necessary part of this life.”
Many fans have speculated that frontman Corey Taylor issued the band’s statement, given the wording of its closing remark: “Long live the ‘Knot.”
Taylor, 45, on numerous occasions has used this phrase, including a recent tweet which hinted at the shocking revelation before it even happened.
“You’re gonna read a lot of bulls**t today,” he wrote. “This is all I’ll say. Just you wait ’til the truth comes out,” he added. “Long live the ‘Knot.”
In the alleged lawsuit, Fehn reportedly called out Taylor and fellow percussionist, Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan for their questionable financial dealings, according to The Blast.
READ MORE: Metallica announces 20th anniversary ‘Symphony and Metallica’ concert
A fan suggested to Taylor on Thursday that to replace Fehn, Slipknot should bring back former member Anders Colsefni — who voluntarily left the band one year prior to Fehn joining.
“F**k I would love that,” wrote Taylor in response. Another fan then called out the Psychosocial singer for being a “bit dickish” by saying so in a since-deleted tweet.
“You think that’s d**kish?” asked Taylor. “Try being wrongfully accused of stealing money from someone you cared about, and having a lot of your fans believe it.”
As of this writing, Colsefni has not yet commented on the matter.
Fehn joined Slipknot in 1998 and stayed on as one of the band’s three percussionists and occasional backup vocalists since then.
Each of the nine band members are commonly referred to by their own number, i.e. Fehn was formerly known as No. 3.
Other than his Pinocchio-inspired mask, No. 3 was widely recognized for his onstage persona and erratic behaviour which often helped hype up fans during a Slipknot concert.
Slipknot was founded in 1995 and have sold more than 20-million albums worldwide. They have been nominated for 10 Grammy awards and won their first in 2006 for their metal anthem Before I Forget.
READ MORE: Slipknot releases first song in 4 years, ‘All Out Life’
After a two-year absence, Slipknot has just revealed plans for an extensive North American tour taking place this summer — the “Knotfest Roadshow.”
The 29-date trek will take the Iowa-based metal outfit across the continent with Volbeat, Gojira and Behemoth, making it possibly the heaviest all-star lineup of the year.
Tickets and VIP packages are available.
Slipknot’s upcoming record is currently slated for an Aug. 9 release. According to an official press release, details regarding the album “will be revealed in the coming weeks.”
‘Knotfest Roadshow’ North American tour dates
** All Canadian dates are bolded **
July 26 – Mountain View, Calif. @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
July 27 – San Bernardino, Calif. @ San Manuel Amphitheater
Aug. 1 – Salt Lake City, Utah @ USANA Amphitheatre
Aug. 3 – Albuquerque, N.M. @ Isleta Amphitheater
Aug. 4 – Phoenix, Ariz. @ Ak-Chin Pavilion
Aug. 6 – Denver, Colo. @ Pepsi Center
Aug. 8 – Lincoln, Nebr. @ Pinnacle Bank Arena
Aug. 10 – Des Moines, Iowa @ Iowa State Fairgrounds *
Aug. 11 – Tinley Park, Ill. @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug. 12 – Clarkston, Mich. @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug. 14 – Virginia Beach, Va. @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
Aug. 16 – Noblesville, Ind. @ Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
Aug. 17 – Bonner Springs, Kans. @ Providence Medical Center Amphitheater
Aug. 18 – Maryland Heights, Mo. @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug. 20 – Toronto, Ont. @ Budweiser Stage
Aug. 21 – Saratoga Springs, N.Y. @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Aug. 23 – Burgettstown, Pa. @ KeyBank Pavilion
Aug. 24 – Scranton, Pa. @ The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
Aug. 25 – Darien Center, N.Y. @ Darien Lake Amphitheater
Aug. 27 – Mansfield, Mass. @ The Xfinity Center
Aug. 28 – Wantagh, N.Y. @ Northwell Health
Aug. 30 – Holmdel, N.J. @ PNC Bank Arts Center
Aug. 31 – Camden, N.J. @ BB&T Pavilion
Sept. 1 – Bristow, Va. @ Jiffy Lube Live
Sept. 3 – Alpharetta, Ga. @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Sept. 4 – Tampa, Fla. @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sept. 6 – Austin, Tex. @ Austin360 Amphitheater
Sept. 7 – Dallas, Tex. @ Dos Equis Pavilion
Sept. 8 – The Woodlands, Tex. @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
* — Slipknot and Gojira only
Comments