“The quiet genius behind the masks. Gray’s ability to weave intricate melody into blinding aggression proved he was one of the most versatile metal songwriters of his generation.” —Metal Hammer
On this day in 2010, Slipknot’s co-founding bassist, Paul Gray (#2/The Pig), was discovered dead in an Iowa hotel room. He was 38. An autopsy later confirmed his cause of death as an accidental overdose of morphine and fentanyl, aggravated by significant underlying heart disease.
Honoring his memory, Slipknot launched their 2011 Memorial World Tour, including a performance at Rock in Rio. The band recruited original co-founding guitarist from 1995, Donnie Steele, to fill in on bass; however, to protect the group’s privacy, Steele performed entirely from backstage.
On stage, Gray was represented by an effigy featuring his signature jumpsuit, mask, and bass placed between the drums and DJ booth. This tribute allowed the band to mourn publicly until Alessandro “Vman” Venturella officially took over the live role in 2014.
Gray’s legacy remains deeply tied to his work as a primary musical architect for the band. Along with drummer Joey Jordison, Gray heavily drove the composition of their iconic 2004 track “Duality,” constructing its powerful riffs and hard-driving bass groove.
Lyrically, “Duality” explores internal anguish and psychological pressure, using eye-pressing as a metaphor for numbing emotional pain. Written by Corey Taylor during personal struggles, the song mirrored the collective trauma and addiction battles gripping Gray and the band.
Direct songs about Gray’s private life and tragic passing would come later—most notably on their 2014 tribute album, 5: The Gray Chapter, which featured tracks like “Goodbye,” specifically written about the day he died.
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Featured image via NME.
