With the release of Slipknot's highly anticipated new album, .5: The Gray Chapter, on the horizon, ArtistDirect asked several of rock and metal's finest to discuss their favourite Slipknot albums or songs. An excerpt from the article is available below:

Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses): "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) is my favorite Slipknot record. I heard that record at the right time in my life that I needed it. We all have those records. I'd work out to that record. I'd play it loud in my car. It's a very passionate and musically genius piece of work. It's an album as a whole."

Kerry King (Slayer): "I'd have to say the first Slipknot record is my favorite. It had that feeling. Slipknot were really spooky at the beginning."

Ivan Moody (Five Finger Death Punch): "Corey Taylor understands music better than most people I've ever met. I love Disasterpieces. The band came together and made a statement on that live record. It's a staple. It was pure and unadulterated. They put their hearts into it, and I felt like they were there for themselves. Their first album is my favorite though. Sorry, but it fucking changed metal, period. They took everything that had been done for the last twenty years, developed it, and threw it out there. They were fucking disgusting. It was like watching Nightbreed without the cheesy shit. They were fantastic, dude. I remember seeing them open for Coal Chamber and Machine Head. I went there to see Slipknot. I watched Clown and Jim Root and throw kegs in the audience and jump in. There's no way to explain it. They fucking annihilated everybody. It was disturbing how good they were. Their self-titled album was a life-changer and a game-changer for that matter."

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Slipknot have issued a video clip showcasing their new masks, created to coincide with the release of their forthcoming album, .5: The Gray Chapter, due for release on October 21st via Roadrunner:

A new Slipknot promo picture has been released by the band featuring their full 9-man line-up. The identities of their new bassist and drummer have yet to be confirmed, but it's been hinted that guitar tech Alessandro "Vman" Venturella  (Coheed And Cambria, Mastodon) has taken over the late Paul Gray's post as bass player. Jay Weinberg, the son of Bruce Springsteen drummer Max Weinberg is rumoured to be behind the kit in place of Joey Jordison, who left Slipknot earlier this year.

Stay tuned for updates.

Slipknot have revealed details and launched a pre-order for their upcoming fifth album, .5: The Gray Chapter, due for release on October 21st via Roadrunner. The new release will be the band's first without founding bassist Paul Gray, who passed away in 2010, and drummer Joey Jordison.

.5: The Gray Chapter tracklisting:

"XIX"
"Sarcastrophe"
"Aov"
"The Devil In I"
"Killpop"
"Skeptic"
"Lech"
"Goodbye"
"Nomadic"
"The One That Kills The Least"
"Custer"
"Be Prepared For Hell"
"The Negative One"
"If Rain Is What You Want"

"Override" (bonus track)

"The Burden" (bonus track)

The Everything Bundle, available for pre-order at this location, includes:

* T-Shirt

* Hoodie

* Unsigned Litho

* .5: The Gray Chapter Deluxe CD

*.5: The Gray Chapter Vinyl LP

Other bundles are also available. Check them out here.

"The Negative One" video: