In the middle of the writing process of their new album, Slipknot have shocked fans by announcing that they have parted ways with longtime drummer and important songwriter Joey Jordison, now busy with a new project called Scar The Martyr. The band says this decision happened for "personal reasons" and they will move forward with the new album release next year. This is a big turning point for the band.

Slipknot has released the following statement: "To our Maggots and fans around the world, it is with great pain but quiet respect that, for personal reasons, Joey Jordison and Slipknot are parting ways. We all wish Joey the best in whatever his future holds. We understand that many of you will want to know how and why this has come to be, and we will do our best to respond to these questions in the near future.

It is our love for all of you, as well as for the music we create, that spurs us to continue on and move forward with our plans for releasing new material in the next year. We hope that all of you will come to understand this, and we appreciate your continued support while we plan the next phase of the future of Slipknot. Thank you, The Knot."

Guitarist Jim Root revealed earlier this month that he will sit out Stone Sour's early 2014 tour so that he can concentrate on writing music for the next Slipknot record.

Slipknot's long-awaited fifth album will be their first since 2008's All Hope Is Gone and first since the 2010 death of bassist Paul Gray.

Source:	slipknot1.com
Band profile:	Slipknot