Slipknot’s Corey Taylor has revealed that he’s making changes to touring plans in the future for his health saying, “I’m only going to work so much”.
READ MORE: Corey Taylor: “Don’t feel special – I hate everybody!”
Back in January, the Slipknot frontman cancelled his previously scheduled North American solo tour, citing struggles with his well-being.
“For the past several months my mental and physical health have been breaking down, and I reached a place that was unhealthy for my family and I,” he wrote in a statement at the time.
“I know this decision will come as a shock to some and may be regarded as unpopular by others – but after taking a hard look at where I am and where I was going, I need to pull myself back and be home with my family for the time being,” he added, also telling fans that those who had already bought tickets would be issued a refund.
The tour was in celebration of his second solo album ‘CMFT2’, which arrived back in September 2023 and saw him play a series of tour dates across Europe and the UK.
Now, in a new interview with Alternative Press, Taylor has opened up more about his struggles saying he hit “a real dark point” earlier this year and that he needed to make some changes to the way he works for his well-being – including touring.
He told the publication: “I found that my pursuit of work and all things ego was killing me. And nearly killed me.
“So I’ve reinvested my life to the point [where] I’m only going to work so much. I’ll never be gone from home for more than two-and-a-half weeks. I’m putting importance back on the things I really value. That is the greatest gift I could give myself and my family.”
Slipknot at the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 4, 2024. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images)
Taylor – who is also the frontman of Stone Sour, has been open about his struggle with mental health before, touching upon the themes in his music, launching The Taylor Foundation, and telling NME about his battle with PTSD.
“I didn’t want to just be about me and my experiences – I wanted it to be a bridge between people who are dealing with PTSD and the people who are desperately trying to understand the nuances of what people have to go through,” he explained. “It’s one of the reasons why it tears families apart and went so undiagnosed for so many years – we never recognised the rainbow of symptoms and issues that come with it.
“The song is a reflection of what I’ve done with The Taylor Foundation, to try raise money and awareness for these people who have told me that my music has helped them get through tours of duty or get them through night shifts with the emergency services or law enforcement,” he added. “If I don’t try do something to help them when I see that there’s room to do so, then I don’t deserve to be in a position to call attention to anything. We’ve been able to do some really cool things and I’m really appreciative.”
Slipknot are back on the road later this year, with a UK and European tour to celebrate 25 years as a band – you can purchase tickets here.
The metal giants will kick off the tour at Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on December 5, 2024, before heading onto a trio of shows in Germany, followed by dates in Zürich and Paris. The band will then continue to Leeds, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham and will wrap up at London’s O2 Arena on December 20. Check out the full dates here:
Slipknot’s 2024 UK and European tour dates are:
DECEMBER
5 – Amsterdam, Netherlands, Ziggo Dome
6 – Dortmund, Germany, Westfalenhalle
8 – Stuttgart, Germany, Schleyerhalle
9 – Leipzig, Germany, Quarterback Immobilien Arena
11 – Zürich, Switzerland, Hallenstadion
12 – Paris, France, Accorhotel Arena
14 – Leeds, UK, First Direct Arena
15 – Glasgow, UK, OVO Hydro
17 – Manchester, UK, Co-op Live Arena
18 – Birmingham, UK, Utilita Arena
20 – London, UK, O2 Arena
For help and advice on mental health:
CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably
Help Musicians UK – Around-the-clock mental health support and advice for musicians (CALL MUSIC MINDS MATTER ON: 0808 802 8008)
Music Support Org – Help and support for musicians struggling with alcoholism, addiction, or mental health issues (CALL: 0800 030 6789)
YOUNG MINDS – The voice for young people’s health and wellbeing
Time To Change – Let’s end mental health discrimination
The Samaritans – Confidential support 24 hours a day
The post Slipknot’s Corey Taylor reveals he’s making changes to touring plans for his health: “I’m only going to work so much” appeared first on NME.
