Sixteen years have passed since the death of Slipknot bassist and founding member Paul Gray, yet his presence remains woven into nearly every chapter of the band's story.
On May 24, 2010, Gray was found dead in a hotel room near his hometown of Des Moines, Iowa. He was 38 years old. The news stunned the metal community and left a wound that many fans still feel today.
Known to fans as "The Pig" and identified by the number two in Slipknot's lineup, Gray was more than the band's bassist. He was one of its architects. Alongside percussionist Shawn Crahan and the rest of the original lineup, Gray helped build Slipknot from an underground Iowa act into a global phenomenon. His thunderous bass lines became a defining element of albums such as Slipknot, Iowa, and Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses), records that helped redefine heavy music for a generation.
But those who knew Gray often speak first about his character. Bandmates frequently described him as a unifying force behind the scenes, someone who balanced Slipknot's intensity with humility and kindness. Following his death, the band held an emotional press conference without their masks, a rare public display of grief that revealed just how deeply Gray's loss affected the group.
His impact remains visible across Slipknot's catalog. The band's 2014 album, .5: The Gray Chapter, was created as both a tribute and a reckoning. Released four years after his passing, the record confronted loss head-on while honoring one of the musicians most responsible for shaping Slipknot's identity.
Today, Gray's influence can still be heard every time the band takes the stage. Fans continue to celebrate his performances, revisit classic recordings, and share memories online each anniversary. The enduring affection speaks to something larger than musical talent. For many listeners, Paul Gray represented the heart of Slipknot.
What's New With Slipknot in 2026?
While fans remember Gray this week, Slipknot are also looking toward the future.
The band's long-shelved experimental project Look Outside Your Window, recorded during the All Hope Is Gone sessions in 2008, recently received a wider physical release after years of speculation and delays. The album showcases a different side of several Slipknot members and finally gives fans access to music that had become almost mythical within the band's history.
Meanwhile, Crahan recently confirmed that Slipknot have begun work on a new studio album. The project is still in its early stages, but it marks the first major step toward a follow-up to 2022's The End, So Far. Guitarist Jim Root has also indicated that new song ideas are already circulating among band members.
Even as Slipknot moves into another creative era, Paul Gray's fingerprints remain everywhere. His songwriting helped establish the foundation on which the band still stands, and his absence continues to be felt by both the musicians who knew him and the millions of fans who grew up with his music.
Sixteen years later, the legacy of Paul Gray is not defined by how he died. It is defined by the music he created, the lives he touched, and the lasting impact he left on one of metal's most influential bands.
