Slipknot thundered onto the stage at Germany’s renowned Rock am Ring festival this past weekend, but a familiar face was missing. Founding percussionist Shawn “Clown” Crahan was absent from the June 7 performance in Nürburg, Germany. He’s currently away from the band’s European summer tour due to an ongoing family emergency.
Midway through the band’s high-octane set, frontman Corey Taylor addressed the packed crowd of 90,000, acknowledging Crahan’s continued absence.
“First things first,” Taylor said, “obviously you can see we are missing one of our brothers. Unfortunately, Clown cannot be here — he is back home, taking care of his family. He wanted desperately to be here, but he sends his f**king love from America.”
Taylor then urged the crowd to show their support: “Make some noise for Clown,” he shouted, before promising, “Now we are here to make up for that. And by god, we’re going to do it.”
Crahan has not joined the band since the launch of their European tour at Sweden Rock Festival on June 4. His absence at Rock am Ring continues a string of missed shows stemming from a private family matter, according to the band.
This marks Crahan’s second major absence from the stage in 2025. Earlier in the year, he missed Slipknot’s Knotfest Australia tour alongside his son, Simon Crahan (drummer for Vended), also due to a family emergency. While details remain private, the band has consistently emphasized the personal nature of the situation.
Despite the absence of their longtime percussionist and visual mastermind, Slipknot delivered a blistering 14-song set that leaned heavily into their roots. Tracks from their 1999 self-titled debut — including “Wait and Bleed,” “Spit It Out,” and “Surfacing” — ignited the crowd, while newer anthems like “Nero Forte” and “Unsainted” showcased the band’s continued evolution and relentless energy.
Slipknot’s tour is set to continue on June 10 at Expo Plaza in Hannover, Germany. At this time, it remains uncertain whether Crahan will return to the stage during the remainder of the European leg.
