Category: news

WATCH: Clown Discusses Mortality and Legacy with Rick Rubin

MALIBU, CA — M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan, the visionary co-founder of Slipknot, has revealed a serious medical battle that has been lurking beneath the surface of the band’s chaotic stage shows. During a deeply personal, two-hour conversation on Rick Rubin’s Tetragrammaton podcast, the 56-year-old percussionist disclosed that he is suffering from a “skipping heart” and is scheduled for corrective surgery.

The revelation comes at a pivotal moment for the band as they continue to navigate their fourth decade, proving that even the most volatile forces in metal aren’t immune to the passage of time.

TL;DR: The Key Takeaways

• The Diagnosis: Clown is suffering from an electrical issue in his heart that causes it to “skip” beats, which was discovered after the band’s most recent tour.
• The Danger Zone: His resting heart rate has plummeted to dangerously low levels—43 BPM at night and as low as 33 BPM during the day.
• The Procedure: He is set for a surgery to correct the heart’s electrical rhythm, a procedure he describes as “easy” but necessary for his survival.
• The Slipknot Paradox: Clown admits he “hates” that Slipknot is the very thing keeping him alive and forcing him to stay healthy.

“I Feel Like I’m Dying”: The Road to Diagnosis

The discovery of the heart issue wasn’t a sudden collapse, but a gradual realization that something was fundamentally wrong. After finishing Slipknot‘s last tour, Crahan sought medical attention after a period of not feeling well.

“I went in, and the nurse was trying to get an EKG thing going on me… and it just wasn’t happening,” Clown recounted. “They thought I was having a heart attack right there.”

While he initially feared the diagnosis might end his touring career, his doctors delivered a surprising ultimatum: get the surgery, get in shape, and prepare to do more. Because of his athletic history on stage, his brain has essentially “taught” his body to operate like a cross-country runner, leading to his incredibly low resting heart rate.

We Also Recommend – Slipknot Members 2026: Current Lineup And Who’s In The Band Now

The Purpose and the Pain

In typical Clown fashion, the medical crisis was filtered through the lens of his art. He spoke candidly about the strange, symbiotic relationship he has with the band he helped build from the Des Moines basements.

“I hate that it keeps me alive,” Crahan admitted to Rubin. “It makes me drink water. It gets the bad smoke out of me… It gives me desire. It gives me will. Gives me purpose. And I can’t stand it. It’s such a priority of existence.”

The “concierge” level of care he now receives as a member of one of the world’s biggest bands has ensured that the surgery will likely be a same-day, outpatient procedure focusing on the heart’s “electricity” rather than a more invasive open-heart surgery.

A Full Circle Moment with Rick Rubin

The interview itself was a milestone for fans, marking a rare public sit-down between Crahan and Rubin. The two famously worked together during the production of 2004’s Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)—an era Slipknot members have historically described as difficult. The 2026 conversation, however, focused on legacy, the loss of bandmates Paul Gray and Joey Jordison, and the relentless drive that keeps the Slipknot machine moving.

Check This Out – Slipknot Albums Ranked: Every Masked Masterpiece From Worst to Best

FAQ: Slipknot 2026 Update

What is wrong with Shawn “Clown” Crahan’s heart? Clown has an electrical issue described as a “skipping heart.” It causes his heart rate to drop as low as 33 BPM during the day.

Is Clown leaving Slipknot? No. In fact, his doctors told him that after the surgery, he will feel better than ever and will need to get in shape to continue the band’s high-intensity performances.

What kind of surgery is it? It is a procedure to correct the heart’s electrical rhythm. Clown described it as a “very easy surgery” where patients are typically released the same day.

Who did the interview? The revelation came during Episode 176 of the Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin podcast, released on May 6, 2026.

We Ranked The 13 Most Brutal Slipknot Songs Ever Recorded

Band Bio: Slipknot

Formed in 1995 in Des Moines, Iowa, Slipknot transformed the landscape of heavy metal with their nine-member lineup, matching jumpsuits, and iconic masks. Led by the creative vision of Shawn “Clown” Crahan, they have achieved multi-platinum success and won a Grammy for “Before I Forget.” Despite the loss of several founding members, the band remains a dominant global force, currently celebrating their 30th anniversary era.

STAY LOUD: Catch the full breakdown of today’s stories on the Loaded Radio Daily Podcast, or crank the 2026 hard rock and metal 24/7 on our live digital stream at LoadedRadio.com.

The post SLIPKNOT’S CLOWN Reveals Upcoming Heart Surgery: “I Can’t Get Out Of This To Save My Life” appeared first on Loaded Radio.

Every week the Stereogum staff chooses the five best new songs of the week. The eligibility period begins and ends Thursdays right before midnight. You can hear this week’s picks below and on Stereogum’s Favorite New Music Spotify playlist, which is updated weekly. (An expanded playlist of our new music picks is available to members on Spotify and Apple Music, updated throughout the week.)

The post The 5 Best Songs Of The Week appeared first on Stereogum.

As scheduled, A FOREST OF STARS‘ acclaimed new masterpiece “Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface” is hitting stores around the globe today, on May 8, 2026. Metal Hammer (UK) awards the album a 9/10 and writes: “Their most over the-top and enigmatic offering to date, Stack Overflow… is also, unquestionably, A Forest Of Stars’ finest”. The unique British black metal innovators furthermore deny any alleged involvement […]

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Unearth and Within The Ruins will open.

The post Shadows Fall To Celebrate ‘Shadows Fall Day’ With A Hometown 30th Anniversary Show appeared first on Theprp.com.

Today, modern metalcore wrecking crew THE NARRATOR are thrilled to finally unleash their highly anticipated sophomore album Phosphor, available now for purchase and streaming worldwide. Serving as the powerful follow-up to their acclaimed debut Lore, the new record delivers ten crushing tracks that channel the emotional weight of a world in crisis into raw intensity and cathartic heaviness. Exploring […]

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“‘Tracksuit’ is what would happen if you combined my two favorite things: y2k fashion and terror.”

The post Scene Queen Launches “Tracksuit”, Her Heaviest Song To Date appeared first on Theprp.com.

EP “Slamdown is not a phase, mom” Launches May 29, 2026 “Eating 6 Humans by Daylight” is the second single from the upcoming EP “Slamdown is not a phase, Mom” (out May 29, 2026) and the natural escalation of everything “Stepdad Slamfight” set in motion some weeks ago. No melodies, no compromises, no lyrics – just pure, […]

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WATCH: Experience the Instrumental Journey Below

LONDON, UK — One year after shifting the tectonic plates of the heavy music world, SLEEP TOKEN is inviting fans back into the “Arcadia.” To commemorate the one-year anniversary of their chart-topping masterpiece Even In Arcadia, the anonymous collective has released the full instrumental edition of the album via RCA Records. This release strips away Vessel’s haunting vocals to spotlight the intricate “emotional architecture” and precision that earned the band two Grammy nominations and a permanent seat at the table of modern metal royalty.

TL;DR: The Key Takeaways

• The Anniversary: Even In Arcadia (Instrumental) drops today, May 8, 2026, marking exactly one year since the original album’s debut.
• Chart Dominance: The original 2025 release debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and amassed over 1.2 billion streams globally.
• Award-Winning Musicianship: The album earned Grammy nods for “Best Metal Performance” (Emergence) and “Best Rock Song” (Caramel), while drummer II secured his first Grammy for his work with Yungblud.
• Raw Immersive Experience: The instrumental version highlights the band’s meticulous arrangements, from “arpeggiated madness” to punishing rhythmic shifts.

A Legacy of Gold: The Rise of ‘Even In Arcadia’

Originally released on May 9, 2025, Even In Arcadia did more than just sell records—it defined a genre. The album remained on the U.S. Billboard 200 for a staggering 36 consecutive weeks and was officially certified RIAA Gold on January 26, 2026.

By removing the vocal layer, this new edition allows listeners to focus on the “ghostly beauty” of the compositions. Critics have hailed the record as a genre-defying statement, and the instrumental release serves as a masterclass in the band’s technical ambition, revealing the raw power behind the cinematic builds and rhythmic turns that fueled their first-ever sold-out U.S. arena tour.

We Also Recommend – Every Sleep Token Album Ranked Worst To Best (One Clearly Stands Above The Rest)

Grammy Recognition and the Power of ‘II’

The year leading up to this release saw Sleep Token break into the mainstream consciousness in a way few masked acts ever have. At the 68th Grammy Awards, the band received critical recognition with nominations for “Emergence” and “Caramel.”

Perhaps the most significant milestone for the band’s internal musicianship came with drummer II, who walked away with his first Grammy for his featured performance on Yungblud’s “Changes (Live From Villa Park).” The instrumental release foregrounds II’s percussion and Vessel’s multi-instrumental arrangements, offering an unfiltered look at the two members credited with the core of the band’s sonic output.

Expanding the Ritual

Sleep Token continues to thrive on a mix of anonymity and uncompromising artistry. Formed in 2016, the London-based group has built a global “cult” following by blending metal, pop, and R&B into a singular, immersive experience. With Even In Arcadia (Instrumental), they reinforce their status as innovators who aren’t afraid to let the music speak entirely for itself.

Check This Out – Sleep Token Members DECODED: 13 Facts That Finally Explain Vessel, The Cult, and The Real Story

FAQ: Sleep Token 2026 Updates

Why did Sleep Token release an instrumental version of the album? To celebrate the one-year anniversary of Even In Arcadia and to offer fans a deeper look into the technical and cinematic compositions of the tracks.

Who are the members of Sleep Token? The members remain anonymous, performing in masks and cloaks. Only Vessel (vocals/multi-instrumentalist) and II (drums) are credited with the writing and performance of the band’s four studio albums.

How successful was ‘Even In Arcadia’? It was a massive commercial success, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard 200, achieving RIAA Gold status, and garnering two Grammy nominations.

There Is Also This – Sleep Token Lore Explained: What The Band Actually Reveals — And What It Doesn’t

Band Bio: Sleep Token

Emerging from London in 2016, Sleep Token is more than a band; it is a conceptual collective led by the enigmatic Vessel. Known for their “Rituals” (live shows) and a sound that refuses to be categorized, they have ascended from underground mysteries to arena-filling superstars. Their 2025 effort, Even In Arcadia, solidified their position as the most innovative force in contemporary heavy music.

STAY LOUD: Catch the full breakdown of today’s stories on the Loaded Radio Daily Podcast, or crank the 2026 hard rock and metal 24/7 on our live digital stream at LoadedRadio.com.

The post SLEEP TOKEN Unveils Instrumental Edition of ‘Even In Arcadia’ to Celebrate Anniversary and Grammy Success appeared first on Loaded Radio.

Glassjaw fans may want to take note.

The post In 2 Again Release “New Miss Matic” Music Video Alongside Their New EP appeared first on Theprp.com.

On August 7th internationally, Personal Records is proud to present the highly anticipated second album of Norway’s Horrifier, Revelations of Gore, on CD format. Hailing from Norway, Horrifier have been vomiting pure, old-school brutality straight from the underground since 2022. Drawing inspiration from the legendary death metal bands of the late ’80s and early ’90s, the quartet channel the rotting sounds of […]

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