Slipknot Bassist Paul Gray Dies

Paul Gray, bass player with infamous metal band Slipknot, has been found dead in a hotel room in Iowa.

The body of Paul Gray, who was 38 years old, was found by a hotel employee yesterday, and although police have said no foul play is suspected, an autopsy is set to be carried out today.

Neil Portnow, president of the Recording Academy, which organises the US’ Grammys Awards at which Slipknot’s track ‘Before I Forget‘ won Best Metal Performance in 2006, led the tributes, saying: “Paul Gray had a passion for music and a flair for the theatrical. The band’s mix of grinding rap-metal along with their energetic live shows helped establish them as one of the most popular bands in the genre. The heavy metal world has lost an immense talent, and Slipknot’s loyal following will ensure he and his music are remembered for years to come.”

Jacoby Shaddix, frontman of hard rock band Papa Roach, also gave his thoughts, saying: “Paul Gray was an awesome person on and off stage. He will be missed by many including myself. His spirit will live on through the killer music he wrote,” while radio station director Andy Hall, a friend of Gray’s, said: “This is a big blow, not only to the community of Des Moines but fans of metal at large, worldwide. It’s a devastating loss. Paul was a wonderful human being.”

Formed in Des Moines, Iowa in 1995, Slipknot’s second album, ‘Iowa‘, hit the no.1 spot in the UK in 2001 and they became notorious for their extreme stage antics and masks which they wore in public. ‘All Hope Is Gone‘, their fourth album, was released in 2008, and became their first US number one and also topped the charts in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Austria, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland.