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Slipknot Announce Live Replacement for Paul Gray

Slipknot have announced the live replacement for bassist Paul Gray who passed away last year. Slipknot‘s original guitarist Donnie Steele will be taking over bass duties for their upcoming shows in 2011. Read the bands statement below:

“For their upcoming shows in 2011, Slipknot has asked Donnie Steele to fill in for Paul Gray on bass. Donnie, as some may recall, was the original guitar player in Slipknot and had actually reconnected with Paul in recent years. Said the band on their decision, “Donnie was in the band at the very beginning, and rather than get an outsider, we thought it would be a fitting tribute to Paul to play with someone from within the family.

Donnie was great friends with Paul and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate his memory than with someone who was there with us at the very beginning. The eight of us are looking forward to being onstage again and honoring Paul’s legacy with our families in Europe and Brazil this summer.”

You can also read what drummer Joey Jordison has to say about their upcoming European tour in the Kerrang! Magazine excerpts below:

Kerrang!: What made SLIPKNOT want to play Sonisphere [festivals] this year?

Joey: “They approached us. Initially we were still grieving over Paul — which we always will — and our initial reaction was ‘no.’ Because the whole situation was still really, really new, and it was still in the air, and we just didn’t know. But then we thought about it, and thought about the amount of time involved. I talked to Shawn [Crahan, SLIPKNOT percussionist] and said, ‘We have to do this for Paul, to have closure and give tribute to our friend.’ So, people are gonna see the most emotional SLIPKNOT shows of all time. I’m not gonna let the cat out of the bag and say what we’ve got planned, but don’t miss it. It’s gonna be absolutely insane.”

Kerrang!: You used the word “closure.” Do you think this is going to be a big part of your grieving process?

Joey: “We’ll never have complete closure. He was my best friend ever. He was my musical soulmate; we did everything together. But, I mean, Paul, no matter what… it’s almost a disgrace to not do it. SLIPKNOT will never die. As long as we’re together, it just won’t. When it’s time for us to end, we’ll know when it’s time. SLIPKNOT is my baby. It is my life. It means everything. Everything I do means the world to me, but when it comes down to it, SLIPKNOT… that’s my blood. [These shows] will be the ultiamte triumph. Trust me, it’ll be well worth the wait, man.”

Kerrang!: It’ll be very weird walking onto that stage, though, won’t it?

Joey: “It’s going to be bizarre. I think, honestly, Paul’s with us in spirit. He’s with me every day. It’s going to be a really, really explosive show. It’s gonna be good for all of us. There’s no negativity, we’re not pissed off at anyone. But I have to do this. I haven’t put [my mask] on since everything happened. Nobody’s put their mask back on. But when I do, and when all of us do, it’s gonna be… we’re waiting with bated breath for it.”