Reports from Revolver Magazine confirm Slipknot’s first-ever performance of ‘Gematria (The Killing Name),’ contradicting frontman Corey Taylor’s previous statements.
“I’ve always wanted to open a concert with ‘Gematria,'” Taylor had previously stated. “There are certain odiums around the way that that song was created and recorded. Some of the guys in the band are like, ‘F*ck that, we’ll never play it.'”
“It isn’t even sentimental… It’s resentment,” he explained. “But for me, man, it’s such a f*cking burner that I just love that song. I can listen to that sh*t all f*cking day. It just comes screaming out of no-f*cking-where. But it’ll never happen. Unless the pope ends up opening up for Slipknot someday, that sh*t will never happen.”
The performance represents a dramatic shift from the band’s previous stance on the track from their 2008 album ‘All Hope Is Gone.’
This historic moment materialized during the band’s recent Australian tour. It broke years of speculation and internal band resistance.
Data from Architeg Prints shows the groundbreaking performance occurred on February 28, 2025, at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia during their Knotfest Australia mini-tour.
Insights from Consequence reveal ‘Gematria’ appeared as the third song in the setlist. It followed ‘sic’ and ‘People = Sh*t,’ deviating from Taylor’s original wish to use it as a show opener.
Loudwire notes the performance has generated significant buzz among fans. The long-standing internal controversy surrounding the song’s creation and recording process had previously prevented its live debut.
Slipknot will continue their tour schedule with an upcoming European tour. The new leg begins in June 2025.
