Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison told the Artisan News Service in an interview on the "black carpet" at last week's Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles that the band will carry on "with or without" singer Corey Taylor, who has expressed ambivalence about making another album with the group.

Slipknot's upcoming European festival shows will be the band's first since the death last May of bassist Paul Gray, and Jordison explained, "Honestly, those are gonna be some of the most amazing shows. And I think certain people will wise up after that."

When asked if he was concerned that Taylor has admitted in recent interviews that he was still unsure that going back out and performing live without Gray is the right thing to do, Jordison said, "You know what?! That's for him to answer. As far as I'm concerned, Slipknot's my baby and I have a bunch of [new] songs written. And I'm in rehearsal right now with all the guys and it's completely on fire. Donnie's [Steele, a guitarist from an early lineup of Slipknot who will act as the band's touring bassist for the upcoming shows] doing a great job. And as far as Slipknot's concerned, it'll always exist - with [Corey] or without him. So that's it."