New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Roadrunner Records) Global rock juggernauts
Slipknot have announced the next phase of their uncompromising history -- the release of .5: The Gray Chapter - on October 21ST , while their North American "Prepare For Hell" tour is set to kick off immediately following the band's previously announced Knotfest (October 24-26th). .5: The Gray Chapter is available now for pre-order on the iTunes Store, with all pre-orders receiving instant downloads of the album's powerful new song 'The Devil In I' as well as 'The
Negative One.' .5: The Gray Chapter is also available in a wide range of distinctive versions, including standard and special edition CDs (2 bonus tracks and expanded packaging) as well as limited edition, colored vinyl double LP set.
Slipknot unleashed "The
Negative One" earlier this month, marking the groundbreaking band's first new music in more than six years. The song immediately hit #1 on Billboard's Trending 140 chart, with the band and track both quickly becoming trending topics on Twitter globally and in the US. The track is currently sitting atop the metal singles chart for its third straight week and counting. Meanwhile its nightmarish companion video - directed by the band's M. Shawn Crahan - has quickly drawn more than 2 million individual views at Slipknot's official YouTube channel.
Slipknot have also announced the "Prepare For Hell Tour"- a major North American headline tour with very special guests Korn and openers KING 810 - kicking off October 29th in El Paso, TX and traversing North
America through December 7th.
"We've been waiting a long time for this," stated Slipknot's Corey Taylor. "Not only do we get to tour with friends who we respect, we've also chosen a band that represents the fury of the future.
Slipknot is coming to your town. And hell's coming with us."
The nationwide run will see
Slipknot coming hot off the heels of their US live return at their own KNOTFEST, with two unique sets at their very own three-day metal and heavy music destination festival slated for October 24th through 26th at San Bernardino, California's San Manuel Amphitheater & Campgrounds. Powered by Rockstar
Energy Drink and curated by
Slipknot themselves, KNOTFEST will see
Slipknot headline the Main Stage on both Saturday, October 25th and Sunday, October 26th, offering fans a taste of the upcoming album with a unique concert experience each night. KNOTFEST will feature over 60 bands - including Danzig, Five Finger Death Punch, Volbeat, Anthrax, Killswitch Engage, Tech N9ne, Of Mice & Men,
Black Label Society, Testament, Hatebreed, Atreyu, In This Moment, Carcass, and many others - performing on five stages on Saturday and Sunday, as well as a Friday Night VIP Pre-Party Bash (featuring Slipknot's DJ Sid), band performances, and other activities for those that purchase VIP or Camping Packages. A truly immersive experience, KNOTFEST attendees will descend into an apocalyptic underworld featuring over 20 attractions including a
Slipknot Museum, carnival rides, a zip line across the festival grounds, drum circles, pillars of fire, freaks, fire-breathers, stilt-walkers, and much more. For details, including complete ticketing information, please see Knotfest.com. Additional news and updates can be also be found at both Facebook and Twitter .
"KNOTFEST is a chance for
Slipknot to bring the sensory overload of a wild European festival and now we're coming for you, California," says Slipknot's M. Shawn Crahan (Clown). "Playing two different sets over two nights at one location is a new experience in the history of this band. This year's KNOTFEST is going to be on another level."
KNOTFEST tickets are available now at Knotfest.com, while tickets for the "Prepare For Hell Tour" go on sale
September 5.
All fans who purchase their tickets through October 5 will receive a digital download of ".5: The Gray Chapter" upon its official release.
