Slipknot guitarist Jim Root addressed fan criticism of the band’s new song “Arsenal” in a now-deleted social media post. Root reacted to fans’ negative comments about the track and confirmed that it will not appear on the band’s upcoming album.
A fan who described themselves as new to Slipknot fandom asked Root whether the negative reception to “Arsenal” bothered him. The fan also asked if it made him feel the band could have done better.
“It depends on the commenter, really,” Root said. “I mean, what’s their band doing? ‘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.”
Another fan followed up, asking directly if the new song would be included on the upcoming album.
“No,” Root said. “This was just one that we could finish ‘sooner’ to get out there.”
Root’s comments clarify that “Arsenal” was released as a standalone track rather than a preview of Slipknot’s next full-length record. The song’s arrival and the mixed fan reaction surrounding it add context to why Root felt compelled to weigh in on the discussion in the first place.
“Arsenal” was surprise-released on September 9, 2026, marking Slipknot’s first new song in more than three years. The track also holds significance as the band’s first release since the departure of longtime DJ Sid Wilson. It features drummer Eloy Casagrande, who joined the group in 2024.
Reaction to the song has been split. Some praised the surprise drop as a bold return, while others argued it fell short of a strong comeback statement. Frontman Corey Taylor offered his own take on the track during an appearance on BBC Radio 1, describing it in blunt terms.
“It is absolutely a pummeling experience,” Taylor said of “Arsenal.”
The song is being treated as the first taste of Slipknot’s eighth studio album, reportedly in development with producer Matt Wallace. The band has not yet confirmed a title, track list, or release date for the project. Root’s remarks remain one of the few pieces of insight fans have into the record’s direction so far.
