Summer 2026 marks a pivotal moment for Slipknot. In just a few weeks, the Iowa band officially announced the departure of one of its long-standing members and saw the re-emergence of an album buried for nearly twenty years. Two pieces of news that, for collectors and record enthusiasts, converge on the same object: vinyl. We take stock, without sensationalism, of what you need to know.
Table of Contents
Sid Wilson Leaves Slipknot After 28 Years
On Friday, August 14, 2026, Slipknot officially announced the end of their collaboration with Sid Wilson, known as number 0, the band's DJ and keyboardist. The message, published on the official accounts of the band and its Knotfest festival, was brief: the collective stated that they were no longer associated with Sid Wilson, effective immediately, and wished him the best for the future. The statement was removed shortly after its publication, but it had already been widely shared and archived by several media outlets.
This official announcement comes approximately two weeks after initial press reports on July 31, 2026, implying a dismissal. In the interim, guitarist Jim Root had published an enigmatic message, urging people not to believe everything they read and to await further details before drawing conclusions.
Sid Wilson joined Slipknot in 1998, shortly before the release of their self-titled debut album in 1999. His departure extends a series of lineup changes in recent years, following those of Chris Fehn, Craig Jones, and drummer Jay Weinberg.
Look Outside Your Window: The Phantom Album Finally Available on Vinyl
The other major event of this period concerns a record long considered lost. Look Outside Your Window was recorded in 2008, alongside the sessions for the album All Hope Is Gone. Four members of Slipknot are featured: Corey Taylor on vocals, Jim Root on guitar, Shawn Crahan on percussion, and, indeed, Sid Wilson. The project was described by the band as a creative interlude, more atmospheric and experimental, departing from Slipknot's usual sound.
One point needs to be clarified: this album is not released under the name Slipknot. It is a separate project, bringing together members of the band but presented as an autonomous work.
After years of delays, it first saw the light of day on Record Store Day, April 18, 2026, as a limited vinyl pressing (approximately 2,300 to 3,500 copies depending on sources). This edition featured a splatter vinyl, a die-cut sleeve, purple foil finishes, and embossed text on the back. A wider release, on vinyl, CD, and digital, followed on June 12, 2026.
Why this release resonates so much with collectors
At vinyles.com, we have a soft spot for records with a story. And Look Outside Your Window has no shortage of them. This is a recording that remained unheard for eighteen years, virtually non-existent, and suddenly takes tangible physical form. The splatter pressing and die-cut sleeve are not mere marketing gimmicks: they transform a long-theoretical project into an object you can hold, place on a turntable, and listen to from start to finish.
The context gives this vinyl a special dimension. Sid Wilson, who recently left the band, is among the four musicians on this record. Without dramatizing anything, it can be said that this record captures a precise moment in Slipknot's history, a configuration that no longer exists today. For a collector, this is precisely the kind of chronological coincidence that gives an edition its documentary value, beyond its musical content alone.
Finally, a word on listening. Slipknot's dense metal, heavily saturated and compressed in streaming, often regains a certain relief on vinyl: dynamic levels breathe a little more, and the wall of guitars gains in thickness rather than aggressiveness. Conversely, colored vinyls, like splatter pressings, are sometimes reputed to be a bit noisier than classic black. For a collector's edition, this remains a widely accepted compromise: one buys the object as much as the sound.
What's next for Slipknot?
Beyond these two news items, a new Slipknot studio album is in the works. Guitarist Jim Root mentioned in early 2026 that six tracks were finalized and other songs were being written. The band has not announced a confirmed release date at this stage. We will update this article as soon as verified information becomes available.
In Brief
- ▸Sid Wilson, number 0, is no longer part of Slipknot since August 14, 2026, after 28 years.
- ▸Look Outside Your Window, a project recorded in 2008 by four band members, is finally available: first on limited vinyl for Record Store Day on April 18, 2026 (approximately 2,300 to 3,500 copies depending on sources), then on vinyl, CD, and digital from June 12, 2026.
- ▸This record is not released under the name Slipknot, but as an autonomous project.
- ▸A new studio album is in preparation, with no confirmed date.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slipknot News
Why did Sid Wilson leave Slipknot?
Slipknot officially announced his departure on August 14, 2026, simply stating that they were no longer associated with the musician, effective immediately. The band did not publicly detail the reasons for this separation. Sid Wilson had been part of the band since 1998.
Is Look Outside Your Window really a Slipknot album?
Not officially. This album recorded in 2008 brings together four members of Slipknot (Corey Taylor, Jim Root, Shawn Crahan, and Sid Wilson), but it is released as an autonomous project, distinct from the band's catalog.
Where and when was Look Outside Your Window released on vinyl?
A first limited vinyl edition was released for Record Store Day on April 18, 2026 (approximately 2,300 to 3,500 copies depending on sources), featuring a splatter pressing and a die-cut sleeve. A wider release on vinyl, CD, and digital followed on June 12, 2026.
Is Slipknot preparing a new studio album?
A new album is in preparation. Guitarist Jim Root mentioned in early 2026 that six tracks were finalized and other songs were being written, but no release date has been confirmed to date.
Continue exploring on vinyles.com
Our metal catalog, the dedicated Slipknot page, and the rest of the store await you.
Sources
Blabbermouth, Stereogum, Deadline, The Music Universe (August 14 & 15, 2026) for Sid Wilson's departure; TMZ (July 31, 2026) for the initial info; Metal Injection, Radio Metal, MetalZone, RockUrLife, New Noise Magazine for Look Outside Your Window; VisualMusic (May 2026) for the June 12 release.
