Slipknot perform first show without Paul Gray

Just 13 months after the death of bassist and co-founding member Paul Gray, Slipknot made an emotional return to the stage at Terravibe Park in Athens this evening (June 17).

The surviving eight members donned their classic red boiler suits and masks for the 14-song set at the Greek leg of the Sonisphere festival, while the late bassist's coveralls and pig mask hung symbolically to the left of drummer Joey Jordison's kit. Former guitarist Donnie Steele performed Paul's bass parts offstage.

"As you know tonight is very emotional show for us but it is not, not, a negative day," vocalist Corey Taylor told the 25,000-strong crowd. "It is a positive day. A day for celebration."

The band's setlist was as follows:

(sic)
Eyeless
Wait And Bleed
The Blister Exists
Liberate
Before I Forget
Pulse Of The Maggots
Disasterpiece
Psychosocial
The Heretic Anthem
Duality
 Spit It Out
People = Shit
Surfacing

Check out fan footage of the band performing Duality below:

Slipknot will play Sonisphere at Knebworth on July 10.

Tags: Slipknot

Posted by Simon at 11:16PM | June 17, 2011

fuck... thats an awesome setlist.

Posted by kobrakai k | June 18, 2011 2:45 AM | Reply to this

fuck... thats an awesome setlist.

Posted by kobrakai k | June 18, 2011 2:46 AM | Reply to this

i would of thought that they'd take off the masks for a bit and played snuff , that was my guess anyway

Posted by ryan | June 18, 2011 5:50 AM | Reply to this

And this wasn't even a headline set was it? So should we expect more from soni knebworth ...

Posted by Perry | June 18, 2011 8:48 AM | Reply to this

Could not be happier that they've found the strength to got back out there. It kills me that I'm 7 months pregnant and can't go to Knebworth. I'm behind Slipknot 100% of the way. They are a truly fantastic band and always will be in my opinion I just hope they decide to release more albums, I'd love more than anything to watch them play again and maybe one day take my son to see them too.

Posted by Anna | June 18, 2011 9:00 AM | Reply to this

Have they hung up Paul's stage gear in the background? To the left of the drumkit....

Posted by Tomm | June 18, 2011 9:15 AM | Reply to this

Yes, it says so in the story.

Posted by Simon | June 18, 2011 9:43 AM | Reply to this

@Tomm

"I can't read an' I can't write but I can use a computer!"

Posted by mpd | June 18, 2011 12:41 PM | Reply to this

i was there!an amazing experience!when Taylor said“This is very hard for us but he would have wanted us to come out with you all and celebrate his life.“So will you all help me sing a song for my brother? Can you do that Athens? Sing so loud so he can hear us because he is here with us tonight. Can you feel it?”i shuddered...

Posted by Anonymus | June 18, 2011 1:06 PM | Reply to this

Posted by Anonymus A | June 18, 2011 1:06 PM | Reply to this

It's great that there back, but having the bass be played offstage just sounds ridiculous, what's up with that!

Posted by Sadwingsofdestiny | June 19, 2011 1:07 PM | Reply to this

I have so much respect for the band. They've gone through a tragedy but they still get back up there and perform, I think there's alot of proud Maggots out there.

Posted by Lucy | June 19, 2011 4:14 PM | Reply to this

FIQUEI MUITO TRISTE COM A MORTE DO PAUL GRAY. MAS COM ELES VOLTANDO A FAZER O PRIMEIRO SHOW SEM O PAUL, NÓS MAGGOTS SENTIMOS MUITO ORGULHO DELES....

Posted by ANGEL | June 19, 2011 9:26 PM | Reply to this

So the replacement bass player had to play Pauls parts from behind the stage during their set? WHAT AN ABSOLUTE JOKE!!! Get over yourselves and move on...thats like asking Brian Johnson to stay behind the stage when he replaced Bon and any other band in the same position!!

Posted by JON | June 19, 2011 9:38 PM | Reply to this

Posted by JON | June 19, 2011 9:42 PM | Reply to this

@JON, perhaps it was out of respect, I doubt the 8 remaining band members would have pushed Donnie off - stage because they hadn't moved on, my bets are on him actually suggesting he stayed there. Much like Mike Portnoy turning away when Avenged Sevenfold talked about The Rev.

Oh, and please excuse humans for having human reactions to the death of somebody close. They aren't performing monkeys for our entertainment, they are people going through hell.

Posted by Maarrgghk | June 20, 2011 10:53 AM | Reply to this

i love slipknot and stone sour but i am getting sick of Corey Taylor talkin about paul gray R.I.P PAUL

Posted by sam ward | June 22, 2011 1:49 AM | Reply to this