Jim Root Originally Turned Down The Opportunity To Join Slipknot

As everyone knows, Slipknot are a nine-piece band. They've changed the lineup over the years, but they've been a nonet since their 1999 debut and are still destroying venues across the world as an eighteen-legged killing machine.

And while you think joining such an experimental, boundary-pushing band would have been a no-brainer in the mid-90s, guitarist Jim Root was initially reluctant to join the local masked menaces.

Speaking to radio station WMMR, Jim explained why he originally declined the chance to replace original 'Knot guitarist Donnie Steele back in 1996.

“I said no at that time because I hadn’t been playing guitar and I knew that those guys were players," said Jim.

“My chops were bad, I [hadn’t] even touched a guitar in years, so I was just kind of like, ‘Nah, I’m just going to be a regular dildo, work and do all that.’”

READ THIS: Jim Root's track by track guide to We Are Not Your Kind

In 1996, Jim was already a part of Stone Sour, but when Corey Taylor joined Slipknot to replace vocalist Anders Colsefni, Root still wouldn't join their ranks because he didn't want to feel he'd been handed the job.

“I got to feel like I worked for it, like something I’ve achieved," he said.

However, it wasn't long before Jim changed his mind. After a conversation with a friend, he realised he was making a huge mistake.

“[He] said, ‘What, are you stupid? Very few times in life do you get a chance to take a great step forward. Even if you fall flat on your face, you can always come back,’” explained Jim. “So I called Clown and the rest is history.”

Jim ended up joining Slipknot during the recording sessions for their debut album, replacing Josh Brainard.

Recently releasing their sixth studio album, Jim said he'd love to play We Are Not Your Kind in its entirety one day.

“We have been talking about maybe trying to find some way to play the new album in its entirety, from top to bottom," said Jim.

“I would like to do that – I think that would be something really cool. And do it in a really toned down, stripped down, no big stage set, club atmosphere type of thing."

READ THIS: The story behind Slipknot's debut album

Slipknot have just finished their Knotfest Roadshow tour of North America and are gearing up for even more shows in Australia with Metallica before Knotfest Mexico and Colombia later this year.

And then they’ll return to the UK and Europe in early 2020 with Behemoth! Get your tickets now.