HOW WE’VE MISSED THEM

There are few bands on this planet that get people excited like Slipknot. Even two decades on from that incendiary debut, there’s still just something about them, isn’t there? That crackle of electricity. A lingering touch of danger. The sense that at any moment it could (and, at points, has) all come flying off the rails. Fresh off the back of showing Download why they remain Donington’s premier house band, the Nine (and, despite recent controversies, it does very much still seem to be nine) are preparing to finally unleash We Are Not Your Kind onto the world. And if you’re expecting Slipknot to be a well-oiled, corporate PR machine at this point: think again. We sat down with Corey, Mick, Jim and Sid for a no-holds-barred (and occasionally spiky) new interview as they prepare to remind everyone why they’re the very best at what they do.

There’s plenty more heaviness to be found in this issue, too. From celebrating Judas Priest’s greatest songs (and just think how much of an arseache it was trying to narrow them down), to pitching your questions to a shy young fella by the name of Gene Simmons, it’s a whirlwind of all things Metal Hammer, and as always, we’re delighted you chose to share it with us. Strap yourself in, and…

HORNS UP!