Slipknot Bassist Paul Gray Dead at 38

There are numerous reports surfacing saying that Slipknot bassist Paul Gray was found dead in a hotel in Urbandale, IA today. KCCI Des Moines reports Gray was found six hours ago at a Marriott. This backs up an earlier post in the Des Moines Examiner. Gray was 38. He leaves behind a wife, Brenna Paul, who is expecting a child. According to the Examiner, the preliminary reports from the scene indicates a drug overdose as the cause of death.

This is seriously one of the most unfortunate years for deaths in metal that we can think of. In little more than a month, we’ve lost Peter Steele, Ronnie James Dio, and now Paul Gray. If it does indeed turn out to be drug related, it’s an extremely unfortunate turn of events from one of the most popular bands in metal. This is all preliminary, but if Gray is leaving behind a wife and a kid that will grow up never having met his dad, it’s the ultimate selfish move.

Forming in 1995, Slipknot burst onto the nu-metal scene with their self-titled album. Known initially for their appearance and masks, the nine-member band subsequently won over many fans that initially dismissed them with their mix of heaviness and their impressive stage show. The first three Slipknot albums have all gone platinum. Their fourth, 2008’s All Hope is Gone, was their first to debut at #1 and will go platinum later this year.