It wasn't for you. It was for people like me. I'll explain...

The self titled album came out a month before my 16th birthday and me and my friends were OBSESSED. The CD was on perpetual repeat in our cars, we practically wore out the "Welcome to Our Neighborhood" VHS, and I proudly wore the original "PEOPLE=SHIT" tee when I went to the mall with my buddies, much to my mother's dismay.

I was fortunate enough to see them three times: Twice in 1999 (the second of which I actually got 6 out of 9 of their autographs on my ticket stub) and again in 2000. But by the time "Iowa" came out two years later I had already been through 3 or 4 musical phases and other interests took priority in my life. I gave their subsequent releases an occasional listen but for the most part had moved on and was no longer part of the fandom.

Fast forward to April of this year when a friend asked if I wanted to see Slipknot in Gilford, NH in August. I originally told him that it would probably be cool but it's been over 20 years and a half dozen albums since I've really been a fan. Then he told me that it was the 25th anniversary tour and they'd only be playing cuts from Self Titled. That's when I said "You sonnofabitch, I'm in".

Last night I was 16 again. Even 25 years later I knew every word to every song. As a jaded 41 year old it is extremely rare for me to be able to re-experience things that gave me joy in my youth with the friends that I experienced them with. For the younger fans, I can't fully explain what that means to me but I hope that someday when your youth has slipped through your fingers, you get to experience the same thing.

So to the hardcore fans who have listened religiously for 25 years, to the younger fans who are more familiar with the newer material, and to the fans in general who are upset about the shortened set: I understand your disappointment.

But this tour was for me and my buddies who will likely never get to experience this again. You can have the next one. 🤘