Slipknot’s Clown Says “Horrible Bands” Are Taking Over Metal

Slipknot’s Shawn “Clown” Crahan isn’t exactly thrilled about the future of metal. In a recent interview with NME, the percussionist shared his blunt thoughts on the next generation of festival headliners, calling out what he sees as a wave of “horrible bands” dominating the scene.

Clown weighed in on Sleep Token, who are set to headline the UK’s Download Festival 2025. While he acknowledged the band’s popularity, his praise came with a slight caveat. “They have their niche, and they must be doing their business well,” he said. “The fans speak, and the business people listen. But let’s face it, there’s not a lot of good music out there. There just isn’t.”

Still, Clown has softened over the years. “The old me might have torn it down, but the new me just lets the fans decide,” he said. “If a band works hard, like it seems Sleep Token does, they deserve what they get.”

But when asked about the industry’s push for newer acts, Clown didn’t hold back. “There are so many horrible bands who are going to be our future headliners,” he said. “You don’t want me to start naming names, because we’d both be laughing. The days of great music have come and gone for now.”

Clown pointed the blame at the accessibility of the music industry in the digital age. “We’re seeing the backlash of the computer and everybody being able to get in. Everyone wants validation,” he said. “I didn’t need the internet or socials to tell me I was good. I validated myself by working harder.”

That said, Clown had praise for bands like Bring Me the Horizon, who’ve grown into legitimate headliners in recent years. “They’re a great band, and I’ve been a fan from the beginning. They’ve proven they can make the jump,” he said.

Clown’s frustration with modern metal feels as much about the industry as the music itself. For him, the problem lies in promoting bands who lack the staying power or ability to draw tickets. “Without artists like Bring Me the Horizon, what else do we have? A bunch of crap bands that won’t sell,” he said.

Love it or hate it, Clown’s comments reflect an existing debate currently within metal music. Whether today’s rising acts will thrive to the heights of Slipknot is a question that remains to be seen. Whether they falter completely is a question that only time and fans can answer.