For Slipknot, aesthetics are essential to the performance. The band, who have described themselves as taking a similar approach to a sports team, treat their masks with the same reverence as the athletes in a professional franchise do their uniforms. Changes are major milestones that typically only occur during new album cycles and other significant events.
This is why it was a big deal when on April 1st, Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg showed off a ravishing new mask to the public. The captivating disguise was created in collaboration with Japanese visual artist Solid Backline specifically to celebrate this edition of Knotfest Japan. A day later, footage of last night’s performance, featuring the new mask in all of its ravishing glory, is now making the rounds.
Speaking about the important significance of his new mask in Instagram, Weinberg explained: “The organic, flowing shapes of [the] high-contrast designs evoke feelings of mysticism and beauty, balanced within the duality of chaos and order one feels as a visitor in this wondrous country.”
It was the first concert of two consecutive headlining dates by Weinberg and the legendary band at Makuhari Messe 9-11 Hall in Chiba, Japan, the second of which is taking place tonight. The mask further enhanced the furious demeanor of the sensational drummer as he hammered away through a blistering set. Support at this edition of Knotfest came courtesy of Trivium, In Flames, and a slew of international and local performers.
Check out the full setlist (courtesy of setlist.fm) and watch video of the jaw-dropping performance, as well as drum-cam footage, below.
- Slipknot setlist, 4/1/23:
Disasterpiece
Wait and Bleed
All Out Life
Sulfur
Before I Forget
The Dying Song (Time to Sing)
Dead Memories
Unsainted
The Heretic Anthem
Psychosocial
Duality
Custer
Spit It Out - Encore:
People = Shit
Surfacing
https://twitter.com/jayweinbergdrum/status/1642358493293457415?s=20
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