Slipknot announce they will 'no longer be associated' with Sid Wilson after keyboardist was 'kicked out' of the heavy metal band after 28 years

Slipknot has officially announced that it will no longer be associated with Sid Wilson, the band's longtime keyboardist and DJ. The decision came after reports surfaced that Wilson had been removed from the group after nearly 28 years of membership. In a now-deleted Instagram post, Slipknot confirmed the move, stating, "Effective immediately, Slipknot will no longer be associated with Sid Wilson." The message, which remained visible on the band's Knotfest festival account, concluded with well-wishes for Wilson's future. The announcement follows claims that Wilson was informed on July 31 that he would be permanently expelled from the band. According to an insider close to the group, the reasons behind the departure remain unclear. Wilson, who joined Slipknot in early 1998 during the formation of the band's iconic nine-member lineup, became known for his distinctive style, wearing gas-mask-inspired costumes and performing high-energy stage antics such as diving into crowds and climbing venue structures. Wilson's exit marks a significant shift for Slipknot, which had previously seen other members depart under different circumstances. Jay Weinberg, the band's drummer, left in November 2023, though the reasons for his departure were not publicly detailed at the time. This latest development adds to a challenging period for Wilson, who recently separated from his fiancée, Kelly Osbourne, in March of this year. The split between Wilson and Osbourne occurred just seven months after he proposed to her at her late father's final concert with Black Sabbath in Birmingham in 2025. The couple had been engaged for less than a year before deciding to end their relationship. They share a three-year-old son, Sidney, and insiders suggest the breakup was influenced by personal struggles, particularly related to Osbourne's grief over her father's death. According to sources close to Osbourne, she has faced a difficult time adjusting to life after the separation. She has been described as working hard to maintain a stable environment for her son while navigating her emotional recovery. One insider noted that Osbourne and Wilson had encountered difficulties in their relationship for some time, despite efforts to keep their partnership intact for the sake of their child. Osbourne and Wilson first met through Slipknot's tour with Ozzfest, the music festival co-founded by her parents. Their relationship evolved over the years, culminating in a public display of affection on Valentine's Day 2022, when Osbourne posted a photo of the couple kissing, accompanied by a heartfelt message expressing her deep love for Wilson. The pair welcomed their son later that year and lived together on a farm in Iowa. Recent sightings of Osbourne with Wilson included an appearance at the Grammy Awards in February, after which the couple has not been seen publicly together. While the exact nature of their relationship's dissolution remains unexplained, both individuals appear to be focused on their individual paths moving forward. Slipknot has not issued further statements regarding the situation beyond confirming their decision to no longer associate with Wilson. The band continues to operate under its current lineup, with no immediate indication of changes to its touring schedule or creative direction. Fans and industry observers await further developments, though no official explanation has been provided for the abrupt departure of one of the band's longest-serving members.