Slipknot’s Here Comes the Pain! Tour is more than a concert—it’s a celebration of one of the most influential albums in metal. A night of raw power and nostalgia, proving the band’s legacy is as vital as ever.
Words by Felix Bartlett, images by Andrew Benge/Redferns | Dec 15, 2024
Christmas came early this week for metalheads in the form of Slipknot’s highly-anticipated 25th-anniversary tour of their self-titled debut album appropriately named: Here Comes The Pain! Last night we were sent straight back into the 1999 with a setlist promised by frontman Corey Taylor comprised of nothing past their self-titled debut album, and the result was nothing short of extraordinary—a raw, nostalgic celebration of one of the most influential records in metal history.
As the crowd spills into the arena Bleed From Within provides an appropriately heavy set that ignited the crowd before the change over of bands, which saw the arena taken over by a nu-metal playlist that felt like a love letter to every teenager rifling through their CD collection in the late ‘90s. Tracks like Coal Chambers Loco, Mudvayne’s Dig, Korn’s Falling Away from Me, and more set the tone perfectly. The stage was primed for Slipknot as the lights dim and the all too familiar tape sound of 742617000027 begins to fill the room.
Straight off the bat, it was clear this wasn’t going to be any ordinary Slipknot show. Fans knew they’d be treated to tracks from the band’s 1999 self-titled album, but tonight felt different—something had shifted from their usual visual feast and massive stage productions.
Tonight we got Slipknot, stripped back and raw—merely a few flags on poles graced the stage, accompanied by the tremendous ‘SLIPKNOT’ flag gracing the back of the stage. There was no fire, no Clown or Michael Pfaff (Percussion) on cranes, and no rotating drum kits. This was Slipknot as they were back in 1999 at their most raw and aggressive.
Of course, you can’t kick off a Slipknot show without the iconic 742617000027 mix that to this day sends a tingle up your spine and a pulse of adrenaline rushing through you as you wait for the Iwoan crew to launch into (sic). At that very instant it was evident that, despite 25 years passing since their debut, Slipknot still retains the ferocity and visceral energy that made them legends. Sid Wilson’s turntable work seamlessly transitioned into Eyeless, propelling the audience into a frenzy, mirroring the energy famously captured during their 1999 Astoria show.
The stripped-back nature of this set is what made it so special. Gone were the oversized props and the now notorious “Jump The Fuck Up” chant for Surfacing. Instead, this was a return to the raw, untamed Slipknot that took the world by storm in the late ‘90s. It felt like being transported back to the very beginning—a back-to-basics approach that delivered authenticity and grit in spades.
From Wait and Bleed to Prosthetics, the band executed each song with precision and passion. Corey Taylor’s voice was as powerful as ever, hitting every note with unrelenting intensity and nailing even their most challenging tracks. As Corey’s infamous, guttural “Give me a scream!” transitioned seamlessly into Get This, the energy in the room reached its peak. While Corey once again proved to be a powerhouse within the band, tonight also gave Sid Wilson ample room to shine. His remix of Tattered and Torn offered a fresh take—reminiscent of Joey Jordison’s iconic drum solos but reimagined through Wilson’s turntable wizardry.
Though Slipknot’s lineup has evolved over the years, the current roster proved more than capable of carrying the legacy. While the camaraderie and chaotic antics of the early days—lest we forget moments when members set each other on fire or carried goat heads on stage—were absent, the unrelenting energy and talent of the newcomers breathed new life into the tracks. Their chemistry was undeniable, particularly during Liberate and Eeyore, which had the nine piece band firing on all cylinders.
Much can be said about the recent trend of playing albums in full, with some missing the mark and feeling like a chore to meet fan service and revive dwindling interest. This wasn’t the case tonight. Each track felt reinvigorated, blending nostalgia with enough experimentation to keep things exciting. Highlights like Me Inside and Get This demonstrated the band’s ability to preserve the essence of the original recordings while experimenting and using the 25 years since the release to be crafted and delivered in a way that live only in the room tonight.
Corey Taylor’s stage banter only added to the atmosphere. Declaring, “Slipknot is back in England tonight—our home away from home,” he acknowledged the importance of this anniversary tour. “25 years ago, we were lucky enough to release the first album, and for 25 years, you’ve kept us alive. Tonight is one night only—welcome back to 1999!”
The night concluded with a jaw-dropping encore of Surfacing, Spit It Out, and the rarely-played Scissors, a dark and atmospheric track played live for the first time in the UK for over 20 years! During Scissors, the percussionists delivered a pounding, primal performance, reminding the crowd of why Slipknot’s sound is truly one-of-a-kind.
Slipknot’s return to their roots was not just a concert—it was a time capsule and a celebration of one of metal’s most influential albums. The absence of some of the wild antics from their early days was more than compensated for by the sheer power of the music and the band’s commitment to honoring their legacy.
For fans who grew up blasting this album at full volume, it was a night that rekindled the fire of youth. And for newcomers, it was a masterclass in what makes Slipknot a juggernaut in the metal world.
As the final notes of Scissors echoed through the arena, it was clear this wasn’t just a tour stop—it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that celebrated the past while proving that Slipknot is still as vital as ever.
Long live the Knot!
Slipknot Setlist:
742617000027
(sic)
Eyeless
Wait and Bleed
Get This
Eeyore
Tattered & Torn (Sid Wilson remix)
Me Inside
Liberate
Frail Limb Nursery
Purity
Prosthetics
No Life
Only One
Encore:
Mudslide
Spit It Out
Surfacing
Scissors (extended)
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