The Slipknot community has been frantic since yesterday's news that the band split with percussionist Chris Fehn after he filed a lawsuit against them. Former member of the band, guitarist Donnie Steele, has weighed in on the news yesterday on his Facebook saying "nobody likes to get lied to and ripped off. I know first hand...MOST of them can't write." The post has since been deleted, but a screenshot was posted on Reddit.

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Steele was one of the original guitarists in Slipknot, co-founding the group in 1995. He performed on their debut demo Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. and left the band in 1996, but rejoined as a touring bassist to fill in for Paul Gray after he died in 2010. Steele also contributed to the 2014 album .5: The Gray Chapter.

It was reported last week that Fehn was suing Slipknot over money the band supposedly owes him. Corey Taylor tweeted in response, calling the situation "bullshit," and stating that Fehn "wrongfully accused" them.

Slipknot confirmed the split with Fehn yesterday in a statement:

"Slipknot’s focus is on making album #6, and our upcoming shows around the world, our best ever. Chris knows why he is no longer a part of Slipknot. 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. We would have preferred he not take the path that he has, but evolution in all things is a necessary part of this life. Long Live The Knot."

Slipknot are hitting the road this summer for their Knotfest Roadshow with Volbeat, Gojira and Behemoth. Their upcoming sixth album is set for release Aug. 9.