There’s no doubt that the members of Slipknot are still mourning the death of late bassist and one of the band’s creative compasses, Paul Gray. Thursday (May 24) marked the two-year anniversary of his passing and several members of the band visited the late musician’s gravesite to pay their respects.
Singer Corey Taylor told Revolver, “We just hung out and told some good stories. It felt good to do that. It was the first time we’ve been able to hang out and talk about him without crumbling. It was good. We laughed about the old memories. It meant something. It definitely meant something.”

Immediately following Gray’s death, there were some public differences about how and when the band would continue, but all the members eventually agreed upon a tour of Europe last summer to celebrate the bassist’s legacy while going through the grieving process with their fans. Taylor likened the process to “baby steps,” and after getting past that initial hurdle of performing without Gray, the group will now share their experiences this summer with North American audiences on the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Tour.

Taylor says that even though Gray is not with the band, he would not want the group to stop. One of the ways that they’ve continued is by keeping it in the family. Donnie Steele, the group’s original guitarist who had filled in for Gray at times in the past, has stepped up to provide the musical backing needed on tour.

There has been some talk of another Slipknot album, with Taylor stating that if it were to happen, it would be as a show of respect for Gray and the journey the band has been through. In memory of Gray, Loudwire currently has a Readers Poll asking fans to vote for their favorite Slipknot album.

-loudwire.com