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Jim Root has addressed the speculation surrounding Slipknot’s new track Arsenal, explaining that this week’s release is not the lead single from their upcoming album.
Responding to listeners on social media, the guitarist said the song arrived first because they could complete it ahead of the other material.
When a fan asked if Arsenal was meant to introduce the album, Jim wrote in an Instagram post that has since been deleted: “No. This was just one that we could finish ‘sooner’ to get out there.”
A separate question about criticism of the track prompted a blunt response from Jim: “It depends on the commenter, really. I mean, what’s their band doing? And Arsenal was a tune we could quickly get out there while we work on the rest of the record. It’s not really representative of the other tunes.”
His comments suggest there is still plenty of work ahead on the album. Recent pictures shared by Jim also showed that Slipknot remain busy recording fresh material.
For the sessions, the Before I Forget band have brought in producer Matt Wallace, whose credits include Faith No More and Maroon 5.
During the summer, Jim said roughly 50 arrangements were taking shape, with some still needing to be completed.
Discussing how the music is developing, he also described the band’s move towards a rawer sound built around playing together in the same room.
Speaking on the RIDE BYND podcast, he said: “I mean, you know, it’s Slipknot, so we’re going to have a sound.
“But at the same time, having Eloy in the band is like such an honor to be able to jam with that guy.”
Rather than piecing tracks together digitally, the musicians have been gathering in a church for jam sessions, aiming for a “garage band sort of vibe”.
Describing the process, Jim said: "Now we’re going to a church, we’re setting up Eloy, I’m setting up, you know, a guitar rig, and we’re just jamming for like two hours… Clown will be in the room… and he’ll throw his arm up, or he’ll hit the light, and that’s a cue to our producer like, that’s a part.”
As for where those sessions might lead, Jim said nothing is settled yet, although some of the experimentation could touch on territory associated with Pink Floyd: “I couldn’t tell you what the direction of this next record is going to be. I know I’m writing some of the fastest grindpicking riffs, some of the most melodic, heavy, doomy kind of riffs… A lot of just experimental - I don’t want to say Pink Floyd - but maybe somewhere in that wheelhouse.”
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Noel Gallagher has suggested that Oasis could return to the stage during the summer of 2027.
With reports claiming the Britpop icons may reveal their next run of concerts within days, the Wonderwall songwriter appeared on talkSPORT’s Drive programme on Wednesday (02.09.26), where he responded to the growing speculation.
Asked about the rumours by host Andy Goldstein, Noel laughed: “It’s Liam, isn’t it?"
Noel then joked: “He’s not into it. He’s not into Oasis anymore.”
Goldstein told him that Liam Gallagher, his brother and the band’s lead singer, had playfully threatened to step away from social media.
Noel responded: “Well, then there must be something happening."
He then offered another clue: “Let’s put it this way: there’s no football tournament on next year, so we’ve got to do something in the summer, right?”
Speculation about another tour has continued since the band completed their sold out Oasis Live '25 comeback concerts last year, marking their first performances together in 16 years. Neither Gallagher brother has done much to shut down the rumours.
The Daily Mail has reported that the pair will officially unveil their latest tour plans next week.
An insider told the publication: “The new tour has been in the making for some time and now they’re ready to get going with it.
“Unlike last time there’s not such a panic about whether Liam and Noel will get on, there isn’t the drama around it. It’s just a case of them looking forward to getting on stage.
“Oasis-mania is coming back!”
The latest claims follow speculation that Oasis could revisit Knebworth, where they staged two historic concerts in 1996, for an unprecedented run of six performances.
Reports have also suggested that the band may play 12 dates at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium in their hometown.
Another insider previously told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column: "Oasis’ schedule is booked. It’s 12 nights at the Etihad over six weeks starting in June.
"They will then play Knebworth six times over a three-week period in September. Dates could be added but for now that’s the master plan."
Before their comeback tour, Oasis had not shared a stage since 2009, when Noel dramatically departed after an argument with Liam at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris.
Interest in the reunion dates became so intense that Ticketmaster struggled to manage the demand. The situation prompted a consumer protection investigation and led the ticketing company to revise its sales procedures.
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