Years after its intended release, the world may finally hear the debut album from Vimic, one of the final projects featuring the legendary late Slipknot drummer, Joey Jordison. Jordison‘s family estate has launched a Kickstarter campaign, timed around what would have been his 50th birthday, to secure funding and independently release the long-anticipated album, Open Your Omen, with a target release date of September 2025.
Vimic emerged after Jordison‘s departure from Slipknot in 2013 and the subsequent disbanding of his Scar The Martyr project. The band, initially featuring Jordison alongside vocalist Kalen Chase, guitarists Jed Simon and Kris Norris (later replaced by Steve Marshall), bassist Kyle Konkiel, and keyboardist Matthew Tarach, released four promising singles between 2016 and 2017: “Simple Skeletons”, “She Sees Everything”, “My Fate”, and “Fail Me (My Temple)”, the latter notably featuring Megadeth‘s Dave Mustaine.
Mustaine himself was highly impressed, stating back in 2017:
“This album wails! Joey Jordison and Vimic are incredible. High-octane drumming and heavy, melodic songs make this band something you definitely need to check out! I dig them so much I laid a solo down on one of their songs, ‘Fail Me (My Temple)‘. From there, we decided to take them on tour with us…”
However, the album’s planned 2018 release via Universal Music Enterprises faced significant setbacks. Tragedy struck when producer Kato Khandwala passed away in a motorcycle accident in April 2018. Subsequently, various band members shifted focus to other commitments (including Sinsaenum, Bad Wolves, and Imonolith). The most devastating blow came with Joey Jordison‘s untimely death on July 26, 2021, putting the project on indefinite hold.
Now, after securing the rights to the music, Jordison‘s family aims to fulfill his vision for the album’s release. The Kickstarter campaign seeks funds for manufacturing physical copies (CD, double LP), distribution, marketing, and a special tribute event.
As stated on the campaign page:
“After years of working to secure the rights to the music, the Jordison Family Estate is releasing Open Your Omen independently to get the album into the hands of the fans that have been asking for it for years. Joey didn’t do anything small. We want to release this album the way he would have wanted; with the designs he was so actively involved with creating for the CD, double LP, merch, and with the support of his fans to make the biggest splash we can upon release.”
The family further detailed the tribute event plans:
“We have added personal items of Joey’s to help raise the money needed… and host a night to remember as Vimic reunites to perform an event honoring Joey‘s legacy. An evening full of iconic drummers on Joey’s drum kit, special guests, and stories you’ve never heard.”
Jordison himself had previously described the album’s creation as an organic, back-to-basics process. He also spoke profoundly about its significance following his battle with acute transverse myelitis, telling Revolver in 2017:
“The riffs, lyrics and drums of Open Your Omen will tell you a lot… It’s literally what saved me and helped me get back to where I’m healthier than ever… Open Your Omen is the rebirth of the rest of my life.”
Fans eager to support the release and honor Joey Jordison‘s legacy can find the Kickstarter campaign here.
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