SLIPKNOT NEW MASK MAYHEM

Slipknot is feeling good amidst their time ont he Mayhem Festival about the new songs and their new masks.

Slipknot is winding down its time as the headliner on the inaugural Mayhem Festival, which also features sets by Disturbed, Dragonforce, Machine Head, and Mastodon among others. The trek marks the first time the band has toured with their new masks, and it’s in advance of their new album All Hope Is Gone, which arrives in stores August 26.

We sat down with Slipknot percussionist Chris Fein and asked him if there’s a different mindset in the band due to the new masks.

“Not really because I can’t see myself. You know what I mean? My mask virtually stays the same the whole time, so it’s always that same early mentality when I put it on right now as opposed to maybe some of the other guys having a different attitude.”

We also asked him if they feel a little different putting on the costumes this time around.

“You know, we’re pretty used to it now, but it’s definitely like putting the pads on in football or anything like that. It definitely changes up here (points to head) when we put it on.”

Fein also talked about reaching their goal of consistency.

“Aside from injuries and stuff, the normal things that plague any team, yeah, we’ve only gotten better, especially as far as musicianship and playing together as a band. This tour especially, I know it’s tough to say but there’s been a couple of shows where it’s been Top 5 for me as far as how we played and the energy that that you can just feel between us on-stage. It’s pretty incredible.”

The Mayhem festival also featured sets by Walls Of Jericho, Black Tide, Underoath, Five Finger Death Punch, Airbourne, and Black Tide among others. Meanwhile, Slipknot’s first single from the album, “Psychosocial” is Number Ten at Active Rock radio and Number 21 on Alternative Rock radio. The Mayhem Festival wraps up at the Darien Center in Upstate New York on Tuesday, August 19.