The year is 1999, and the world is on the brink of celebrating the dawn of a new millennium. Meanwhile, in the state of Iowa, lies a band who are preparing to release their highly anticipated debut album, self-titled Slipknot. You might not know this, but they’re about to take the world by storm.
Fast-forward 25 years, and the band Slipknot is recognised worldwide, boasting one of the biggest legacies in heavy metal history. With seven studio albums and countless world tours, they remark on a journey that brings them full circle.
Welcome to the 25th Anniversary Tour.
It’s a cold Saturday night in Leeds. The streets are awash with a sea of orange and red, insignias strapped to arms. This could only mean one thing: the fans had arrived to play. Young or old, it didn’t matter, they were united by a singular cause: to witness chaos in its purest form.
The night starts with an electrifying burst of energy as Bleed from Within storms the stage, delivering a thunderous display of heavy metal greatness. Standout hits like “The End of All We Know” and “I Am Damnation” reverberate through the First Direct Arena, with fans both new and old screaming their hearts out. A stand out opening act.
At 9:00 PM, the arena falls silent, something big is about to happen. Without warning, they appear. The opening sounds of “742617000027” pulsate through the walls, and everyone knows they’re in for a whirlwind of chaos tonight.
“We’re so glad to be back,” shouts Corey Taylor, as the onslaught of metal madness tears through the crowd. Timeless classics “Sic,” “Eyeless,” and “Wait and Bleed” hit with the force of a tidal wave. Do you dive into the pits, or let them consume you? Either way, “Get your fucking hands in the air!”
Tearing through the set, Corey and the band radiate raw passion, reaffirming that Slipknot is a truly special force to witness after all these years. The audience may have endured pain tonight, but the night is far from over. “Leeds, are you still with me?” Taylor roars, launching into the relentless blow of “Only One.”
As the crowd begins to catch their breath and the lights dim, a question lingers: “Is this the end?” Not a chance. “Spit It Out” has other plans! Brace yourself for another round of bone-crushing intensity and bruised bodies.
As the titanium hit “Surfacing” drives the crowd into a frenzy, Slipknot has one final surprise in store. “We haven’t played this song on this island for 25 years,” Corey announces. “We’re taking you to a dark place!”
Then it begins the 8-minute, 23-second horror masterpiece “Scissors.” Haunting and majestic, it grips the audience with its intensity, compelling one last dive into the chaos of the pits.
25 years of Slipknot’s reign, and here’s too many, many more.
