Yet more sad news and another loss to the music world, as Slipknot bassist Paul Gray is found dead in a hotel in Iowa, USA.
Slipknot themselves and metal fans across the world will be rocked by the news of the loss, just over a week since hearing that metal icon Ronnie Dio sadly passed away after losing his battle with Cancer. The great gig in the sky will definitely be rocking-out this month!
38-year-old Paul Gray, was found by a hotel employee in a room at the Town Plaza Hotel in Urbandale, a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa, an area where most of the band members are from. His death is suspected to be caused by a drugs overdose.
Sgt Dave Disney said that the musician had been staying at the hotel for “a few days” and although foul play has not been suspected, an autopsy will still be carried out.
The nine members of Slipknot climbed to fame with their unique brand of grinding rap metal, paired with the wearing of some ghoulish masks and referring to one another as numbers. Becoming leaders of the nu-metal scene, the band won a Grammy Award in 2006 for song ‘Before I Forget’.
The band’s 2008 fourth studio album ‘All Hope Is Gone,’ notched up their first Number One in the stateside album charts. The record also topped the charts in New Zealand, Australia, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland while just missing out at Number Two in the UK. In 2001 Slipknot smashed into the UK album chart at Number One with their second album, 2001’s ‘Iowa’.
With a career littered with awards, Slipknot have clocked-up a total of seven Kerrang! Awards, including the gongs for ‘Best Band In The World’ in 2000 and 2001, as well as ‘Best International Band’ and ‘Best Live Band’ in 2009.
Neil Portnow, president of the Recording Academy who run the Grammys paid tribute to the bassist saying, “Paul Gray had a passion for music and a flair for the theatrical. The band’s mix of rap-metal along with their energetic live shows helped establish them as one of the most popular bands in the genre. The heavy metal world has lost an immense talent, and Slipknot’s loyal following will ensure he and his music are remembered for years to come.”
RIP Paul Gray.
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