Is This It Tour
A chaotic return to the stage where nine masked figures reclaimed their throne with a new sonic identity.
The 'Is This It Tour' was a pivotal live chapter for Slipknot during the mid-2014 era, serving as the primary vehicle to promote their fifth studio album '.5: The Gray Chapter'. Occurring shortly after the band's return from a hiatus and amidst significant lineup changes, this tour re-established the group's presence on the global stage with renewed intensity. It marked a period where the band tested new material alongside fan-favorite classics, solidifying their resilience in the face of internal shifts.
- Associated Album
- .5: The Gray Chapter
- Era
- Post-2014 Reformation
- Key Personnel Change
- Introduction of Alessandro Venturella and Jay Weinberg
- Tour Type
- Headline World Tour
- Status
- Completed
Lore & Background
The tour was defined by a visual and sonic evolution. While maintaining the signature pyrotechnics, chains, and industrial noise, the performances carried a darker, more introspective weight reflecting the themes of the album. The new rhythm section—bassist Alessandro Venturella and drummer Jay Weinberg—brought a frantic, tribal energy that pushed the band to its limits, while the guitar work remained heavy and distorted. It was a tour that reminded the world that Slipknot is not just a band, but a living, breathing organism capable of adapting and evolving through pain.
In Their Own Story
The air in the arena hummed with a static charge before the first chord struck. Nine figures emerged from the smoke, their masks gleaming under the harsh spotlights. The silence was heavy, broken only by the sound of chains rattling against concrete. As the music erupted, it wasn't just noise; it was a scream of survival. The crowd roared back, a sea of faces united in chaos. For that night, the doubts vanished, replaced by the primal rhythm of nine souls moving as one.
Reader's Guide
The tour kicked off with high-energy headline dates across North America and Europe, often sharing stages with major metal acts to draw massive crowds. Venues ranged from intimate theaters to massive stadiums, each adapted for Slipknot's elaborate stage design featuring custom ramps and pyrotechnic arrays.
Special guests varied by region, but the focus remained on the band's ability to deliver a relentless setlist blending new tracks with anthems like 'Duality' and 'Wait and Bleed.' The introduction of new percussionists added layers of rhythmic complexity that became a focal point of live reviews.
Memorable moments included intense mosh pits that tested venue safety limits and spontaneous interactions where band members engaged directly with the audience through their masks. One specific show in London saw an unexpected power outage mid-set, which the band turned into an improvised acoustic interlude before the lights returned for a chaotic finale.
Did You Know?
- This tour marked the first time Alessandro Venturella and Jay Weinberg performed live as official members of Slipknot.
- The stage design evolved to accommodate two additional percussionists, expanding the physical footprint of the band on stage.
- Several dates featured unique local collaborations or surprise guest appearances from regional metal bands.
- The tour served as a critical test run for the band's chemistry before entering the studio for future projects.
More in Tours & Live History
Elsewhere in the Slipknot universe
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