Jim Root reveals Slipknot’s Arsenal won’t be on new album
The noise machine Slipknot is constantly evolving, and their latest single Arsenal has only fueled the creative fire—and a healthy dose of controversy. While fans debated the track’s direction, the band itself offered a clear roadmap, confirming that the single was a sprint, not the marathon.
The release of the single marked the group’s first new music in three years, following the departure of keyboardist Sid Wilson and the arrival of drummer Eloy Casagrande. This period of change and new sound naturally drew mixed reactions online. Some listeners embraced the new approach, while others criticized it as a noticeable deviation from the band’s established sound. This tension was amplified by the song’s chorus, where frontman Corey Taylor repeatedly delivered the phrase “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go,” prompting significant fan backlash.
Responding to the critical feedback, guitarist Jim Root stepped in to clarify the intentions behind the track. Root made it clear that Arsenal was designed as a standalone piece—a tune they released quickly while focusing their energy on developing the forthcoming album. He emphasized that the single was not representative of the material they were actively working on, cementing the idea that it served as a stepping stone rather than the main event.
Root explained that the single was simply something they could finish “sooner” to get out there, rather than integrating it into the upcoming record. This distinction highlights the band’s current creative strategy: making calculated, temporary moves to explore new territory while building a larger, cohesive body of work.
The evolving sound reflects a broader ambition. Slipknot is currently collaborating with producer Matt Wallace on a new LP, demonstrating a desire to “leapfrog” their previous creative process. Root described this approach as trying to make a movie—allowing the music to evolve and develop in a way that allows for greater creative freedom.
The changes within the band have been integral to this shift. Following Sid Wilson’s departure, the lineup has reshaped itself, now featuring eight members, including the new drummer Eloy Casagrande. This transition allows the group to explore new musical directions, evidenced by recent teasing of new material like “Long May You Die,” recorded shortly after Casagrande joined.
This evolution continues the band’s history, which includes the release of their ‘lost’ album “Look Outside Your Window”. The overall trajectory points toward a group focused on continuous artistic development, using each release as a chapter in their ongoing story, rather than simply following a linear path.
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