New Slipknot track Arsenal “not really representative” of songs that will appear on upcoming album
Slipknot guitarist Jim Root has said the band's newly released single, Arsenal, will not appear on their forthcoming eighth studio album, describing it as "not really representative" of the material being developed for the record. The surprise release has sparked lively debate among fans online, prompting Root to clarify the song's status directly in response to comments on social media.
Responding on a now-deleted Instagram post, Root explained that Arsenal was written and finished quickly so it could be released while the band continues working on the rest of the album, but confirmed it will not feature on the eventual record. The track marks Slipknot's first new music since the recent departure of DJ Sid Wilson. No release date has been confirmed for the eighth album, though Root has previously said the band is working with Faith No More producer Matt Wallace and has around 50 song ideas in progress.
- Slipknot's new single Arsenal won't be on their next album
- Guitarist Jim Root says it isn't representative of upcoming material
- Band has ~50 song ideas with producer Matt Wallace; no album date yet
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Slipknot are an American heavy metal band known for their elaborate masks and numbered jumpsuits, formed in Iowa in the 1990s. They are currently preparing their eighth studio album, their first full record of new material in several years, and have been working with producer Matt Wallace, who previously worked with Faith No More. The band has also recently gone through a lineup change, with turntablist Sid Wilson departing the group.
Jim Root is the band's guitarist and one of its longer-standing members, often speaking publicly about the direction of new music. Arsenal is a newly released standalone single, put out ahead of the album itself rather than as part of it, a common practice for bands wanting to share new material while a larger project is still being finished.
This story matters because it offers an early signal of what fans can expect from Slipknot's next album, a record surrounded by anticipation given the band's history and its first new music since a member's exit. Comments from a band member about a released song not reflecting the album's overall sound can shape expectations and fuel discussion among fans, even before further details are confirmed.