Slipknot Confirms Sid Wilson Departure

Sid Wilson, the long-serving keyboardist and turntablist for the heavy metal band Slipknot, is officially no longer a member of the group. The band confirmed his departure in a statement shared on August 14, 2026, to the official Instagram account for their Knotfest music festival, declaring it effective immediately.

The announcement formalized speculation that had circulated for weeks, with initial reports emerging in late July 2026 that Wilson had been fired. Slipknot’s brief statement expressed well wishes for Wilson’s future endeavors. The post was later deleted from the band’s main account but remained visible on the Knotfest page. The development marks the end of Wilson’s nearly three-decade tenure with the group, having joined in 1998, just before their mainstream breakthrough with their 1999 self-titled debut album.

Wilson, 49, did not issue a public statement regarding his exit. His sole response appeared to be a subtle update to his Instagram bio, which was changed to read "slipknot 1997-2026," signifying the official end of his association with the band he joined in its foundational years. Guitarist Jim Root had previously urged caution on social media after the...