Slipknot created confusion among fans Friday after posting and then deleting an announcement that turntablist Sid Wilson had been removed from the band.
The heavy metal group's official Instagram account published a stark black-and-white statement declaring Wilson's departure. The post stated that effective immediately, Slipknot would no longer be associated with Wilson and wished him well in future endeavors.
However, the band removed the announcement within a short period, according to TMZ.com, leaving Wilson's current standing with the group uncertain. The deletion occurred without explanation, adding to the confusion surrounding the situation.
Sources told TMZ.com that the relationship between Wilson and the band had definitively ended, with the group informing Wilson of the decision at the end of July. The sources indicated that the separation stemmed from ongoing concerns about Wilson's conduct, particularly regarding his treatment of fellow band members.
According to those sources, the firing represented the culmination of long-standing issues rather than an impulsive choice. The decision had been building for an extended period before the band acted.
The chaotic rollout of the news reportedly caused internal discord within Slipknot. Sources told TMZ.com that some band members expressed frustration over early reporting of Wilson's departure, as they had hoped to control the timing and manner of the announcement themselves.
The deleted Instagram post suggests that confusion persists within the band regarding how to handle the situation publicly. Wilson has been a member of Slipknot since the group's formation, serving as the band's DJ and keyboardist while performing under the number zero mask.
Neither Slipknot nor Wilson has issued an official statement clarifying the current status of his membership in the band following the deleted social media post.