When many people look back over the history of Slipknot, 2014 will be seen as the year they made the largest and most radical change in their history, and that is making a record with out the original nine. The whole band has been centered on the idea of the 9 since its first major release, and now the sanctity of that bond has been broken. The band, and the fans have had time to come to terms with Pauls death, and stand in Bassist Donnie Steele has been doing a great job, even if it has been behind the scenes, and off of stage. What many will find peculiar however is the message that appeared earlier this year, and the revelation that Joey had quit the band. The idea of a Slipknot without Joey to many seemed unimaginable. Sort of like The Simpsons without Homer, or America without questionable gun laws. Immediately we asked who will replace him, and it blew up the internet in a fashion ironically comparable to a Jordison blast beat. Months passed and a few creepy teasers later we were hit with The Negative One.

The Knots new song is a step in the right direction. In my opinion it is a fantastic blend of Iowa and Vol. 3 material, and comparisons to Heretic Anthem immediately jumped in too my head. As a kid growing up in England, Vol.3 was the first Slipknot record I bought, and so it has a big place in my heart, so hearing this song filled me with a familiar warmth. It is fair to say however the drums do sound noticeably different on this song to everything that really came before it. Not just on a technical level, but also the way they are mixed in to the track. This begs the question, Who the hell is drumming for Slipknot?

Chris Adler

Chris Adler is arguably one of the best drummers in Metal at this time, after drumming in Lamb Of God for the last 14 years he has risen through the ranks and played shows all around the world. Stylistically he is a good fit for Slipknot, and the drums (especially the snare) sound very similar listening too The Negative One and Lamb Of God. With LoG taking time out for a while after finishing their last tour it is not inconceivable that in his down time he would keep on top of his game, and take some time to drum on what’s sure to be the biggest album in metal 2014/5. Would he stay with Slipknot, or go on tour with them? Almost certainly not, after everything the band went through with Randy last year it wouldn’t make any sense, and currently Lamb Of God are on an otherworldly upswing. To uproot and join Slipknot would be madness, but weirder things have happened this year.

Dave Lombardo

The former Slayer sticksman has been left with some spare time on his hands since walking out on Slayer for a second time last year, it’s not unthinkable that Slipknot would want to take someone up with a back catalogue that includes albums like ‘Reign In Blood’ and ‘Seasons In The Abyss’. Unquestionably Dave has all the ability to lay down some killer tracks for any record, Slipknot included, and his knowledge and ability to revolutionise would be valued by all. However Dave is some what of an elder statesman compared to the rest of the band, and Slayer were always a balls to the wall, straight up in your face kind of metal outfit. Slipknot however rely on a show, theatrics and an atmosphere in everything they do. Could you see Mr Lombardo in a mask and jumpsuit? Probably not, this doesn’t necessarily mean he couldn’t have just done the recording leaving a younger and fresher drummer to go on tour with The Knot…

Krimh

Krimh isn’t the most recognisable name in mainstream metal, his work with Decapitated, whilst stellar has not catapulted him in to a household name like a lot of the people on this list. However when he published videos of himself laying down both Sic and People = Shit the whole internet got talking. It’s not inconceivable that these videos would have ended up on the desks of Corey Or Clown (because international rock stars have desks, sacrilege) For anyone that hasn’t seen the video below, he clearly has some of the harder tracks nailed, and if you have heard his work in decapitated, you’d know that he is no pushover behind the kit. His youth would also work in his favour, Slipknot is a physically and emotionally demanding outfit and the fact that he had the presence of mind to upload an audition tape when the rest of the world was sat around scratching there head could prove to really work in In his favour.

Chris or Clown

This one is perhaps less serious than the others, but come one wouldn’t it be fantastic. It’s a running joke amongst me and some friends that if you show one of the great unwashed a Slipknot live video they will always point out Clown and ask “What the fuck does he do?” To an outside eye it does look like he just fucks around and occasionally hits a keg with bat. How funny would it be for Clown or even Chris to stand up in Slipknots time of need and fill in drums for the greater good, casting a side their stellar work in the art of chaos to unify the band in there time of great adversity. Clowns first steps in to Slipknot found him behind the kit so why not reassume this position, who knows, we may all like it. Jokes aside Clowns influence on Slipknot has always been massive, musically and stylistically so having him take a bigger role would almost certainly have a positive affect on the band.

Joey Jordison

It’s a long shot… It’s a real fucking longshot, but who’s to say it isn’t Joey. Considering how much of a shock this news was initially, and the vague nature of it all. At no point has anyone ever been able to come forward and clear anything up on either side. Imagine if as the curtain dropped on their first show back it was one of the most beloved members behind the kit, doing his thing and still shredding with the Knot. The crowd whilst half bemused would almost certainly explode. Weirder publicity stunts have happened, but perhaps this is just me being hopeful.