Corey Taylor came close to a “relapse” as his mental health hit rock bottom.
The Slipknot frontman has previously battled PTSD and has opened up about why he was forced to cancel his solo North American tour this year whilst he gets his “heart and mind” in order.
In an Instagram video, he began: “The truth of the matter is, I understand why so many of you are upset. I’m just going to break it down for you. I, over the last year, have had a complete and utter breakdown of boundaries, mental health, ego, entitlement, the whole nine years culminating in a very, very real, very near relapse.
“I kinda don’t recognise myself. Again, I wanted to address this and just tell people that I needed time to reset, I need time to start working on my heart and mind and get straight. The reason I’m keeping the Southeast Asia run is, it’s literally four shows, it’s literally a week. I’m gonna see how I do with that and take it day by day basically.”
Corey will still complete four shows in Southeast Asia and Slipknot’s 25th anniversary tour of the UK and Europe will still go ahead. However, the ‘All Out Life’ rocker, 50, admits it’s going to be a “long road” before he’ll feel ready to resume business as usual.
He explained: “I’m working on self care right now, I’m getting the help I need, and surrounding myself with my family. To everyone concerned with me, thank you very much, I appreciate it. To anyone who’s upset, I hope this answers your questions.
“I’m just doing the best for me right now, it’s a long road and I don’t know what’s at the end of it but I look forward to it, I have gratitude for it and I hope you can show me some patience.”
He originally announced: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the cancellation of my upcoming North American tour. For the past several months my mental and physical health have been breaking down, and I reached a place that was unhealthy for my family and I.
“I know this decision will come as a shock to some and may be regarded as unpopular by others – but after taking a hard look at where I am and where I was going, I need to pull myself back and be home with my family for the time being. Those of you who bought tickets and VIP packages for this upcoming run will get a full refund.
“I send my love to the fans, my band, my family friends, and everyone who’s helped me get here thus far. I promise I’m doing everything I can to be as healthy as I can be. Until then, my apologies to everyone we would have seen on the tour – and hopefully we’ll see you again down the line.”
Explaining that his song ‘Post Traumatic Blues’ from his solo record ‘CMF2’ is based on personal experience, he previously told NME: “It was one of those songs that I didn’t want to just be about me and my experiences – I wanted it to be a bridge between people who are dealing with PTSD and the people who are desperately trying to understand the nuances of what people have to go through. It’s one of the reasons why it tears families apart and went so undiagnosed for so many years – we never saw the rainbow of symptoms and issues that come with it.”