Slipknot released its first new single in nearly five years, "The Negative One," and the band's fans are more curious about who's playing the drums than anything else to do with the track. After all, in the last year the band has seen the departure of Joey Jordison, the founding percussionist of the group and arguably its most talented member. The rumor mill has been churning for months regarding who will helm the skins for the band's forthcoming album and the hot option is Lamb of God's Chris Adler. When asked if he was responsible for "The Negative One," he replied as ambiguously as possible.
Right now I think silence is golden," he told ABC Radio. "Right now I don't think those guys need me, or need me talking about it. You know, I listened to it and I thought it sounded a little bit like me, too. At the moment, I just don't recall doing it."
Wait, what?
On one hand, his comments that "silence is golden" and "(those guys don't) need me talking about it" seem to be veiled confirmations that yes, that's him on the song. On the other hand "I don't think those guys need me" and "I thought it sounded a little bit like me too" suggest that Adler has honestly never been associated with the track. Most telling perhaps is his claims that he doesn't remember if he worked with Slipknot, somewhat unusual for a performer not noted for being particularly drug or alcohol-fueled.
Our bet: Yes, Adler was responsible for the percussion on "The Negative One." However don't take that to mean that he'll be helping every track for the band's yet untitled new album, due to be released during 2014. The band could use a slew of metal drummers to fill in for recording. More relevant will be who will handle the drums for the inevitable tour following the album's release.
