

Love ’em or hate ’em, Slipknot are back, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. Over the weekend, the second annual Knotfest took place in San Bernadino, Calif., marking the first live performance for Slipknot in over a year, as well as the first with the band’s new line-up. The two-night event was live streamed online, which of course means both nights of Slipknot’s performances are available for your viewing pleasure. Watch both after the jump.

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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrHx3-RX1pk&w=560]

It’s clear from these performances the Slipknot have been rearing to start playing live again. In spite of the absence of Paul Gray and Joey Jordison, their energy has not faltered one bit. They played a few songs they haven’t played live in quite some time, including “Three Nil” and “Opium of the People”, and of course, they played several songs from their new album, .5: The Gray Chapter, which sound absolutely fantastic live, especially “Sarcastrophe” and “Custer”. “Custer” is like an updated “Heretic Anthem” for the new age of Slipknot fans, and both the band and crowd went nuts when they played it both nights. The new bassist and new drummer fit in with the band like a glove, and I have to say, if that is indeed Jay Weinberg playing behind the kit, he is absolutely killing it. His energy level is reminiscent of Joey’s in the early days of Slipknot, and frankly, he’s a much tighter live drummer than Joey ever was.

All in all, as a longtime Slipknot fan, it’s really great to see the band back in action after everything they’ve been through over the past five years. Let us know what you thought of their performances in the comments below.

– AL