Guitar Solos REMOVED From Slipknot's First Album?? Exploring Creative Decisions In Legendary Music

For Slipknot and their fans, 2024 is the year their debut self-titled album's 25th anniversary is celebrated. With all the albums the sonic giant has released since then, this is an opportune time to reflect on how far the unit has come. With the growth of each new release testing half of Slipknot's fan base, they evolved and managed to maintain the same ferocity that established them a quarter of a century ago. In a recent Guitar World article, Mick Thomson revealed a huge “what could have been” message about the guitar arrangement of Slipknot's first album. Turns out, the self-titled album originally had guitar solos on it that were ultimately cut out. We're gonna dig into the reasons behind that decision, Mick's attitude about it, and how he ultimately got to flex his shredding skills after all. Along the way, I'm gonna pose some questions that I'd like you, Shredder, to think about. Sit back and relax as we talk about what happened (and what could have happened) with one of modern metal's most influential bands.

[Shane-zomg]

I've literally never once heard someone say they don't like guitar solos

[FoxArris]

I really can't imagine Self-Titled with solos. I'm glad it didn't have solos. The band's shtick was about having one big cohesive image instead of putting anyone in the spotlight, so having Mick and Josh/Jim soloing in the middle of the songs would have really undermined that.

[TheJLF]

I have trouble imagining songs without a solo. Can you imagine No More Tears without the solo? I sure can't. I'm sure I know some, but they don't stick in my mind. My favorite songs all have awesome solos in them.

[czh]

I remember jamming to Psychosocial. Great vid buddy!

[jaybee-dl]

Mick Thompson talked about this way back after Iowa came out, it's not news to most Slipknot fans. I think they should have fought to leave them in though, or found someone other than Robinson to produce their second album instead of sticking with that idiot after he screwed the guitarists without permission.