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The Silent Departure: 5 Shocking Facts About Craig Jones' Slipknot Exit And The Mystery Replacement

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The news sent shockwaves through the metal community in June 2023, marking the end of a 27-year era: Craig Jones, the famously silent and enigmatic #5 of Slipknot, was out. The announcement was as sudden as it was brief, posted and then quickly deleted from the band's social media, leaving millions of Maggots with more questions than answers. As of December 23, 2025, the official reason for his departure remains shrouded in the same mystery that defined his tenure, but the band has moved on, debuting a new masked figure on tour.

The departure of a founding member—especially one as iconic and integral to the band's sonic texture as their sampler and keyboardist—has fundamentally changed the dynamic of the Iowa-based nu-metal titans. While the band has since officially named Eloy Casagrande as their new drummer, the identity of Jones's replacement remains an open secret, fueled by accidental reveals and intense fan speculation, making this one of the most compelling personnel changes in the band's history.

Craig Jones: Biography, Profile, and Slipknot Discography (#5)

Craig Jones, designated #5, was the quiet storm at the heart of Slipknot's sound, responsible for the unsettling samples, media, and atmospheric keyboards that gave the band its industrial edge. His presence was defined by his imposing, spiked-helmet mask and his near-total silence in interviews and public appearances, earning him the nickname "133" (after the speed of his computer processor) or simply "The Silent One."

  • Full Name: Craig Michael Jones
  • Designation: #5
  • Role: Sampler, Media, Keyboards
  • Joined Slipknot: 1996
  • Initial Role: He originally joined as a guitarist, replacing Donnie Steele during the recording sessions for the band's 1996 demo, Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. He quickly transitioned to the sampler role as the band realized his technical skills were better suited to adding layers of noise and effects.
  • Signature Look: A gimp-style mask with a zipper mouth, later evolving into the iconic spiked helmet, which grew longer and more terrifying with each album cycle.
  • Departure Date: June 7, 2023
  • Associated Albums: Slipknot (1999), Iowa (2001), Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) (2004), All Hope Is Gone (2008), .5: The Gray Chapter (2014), We Are Not Your Kind (2019), The End, So Far (2022).

The Shock of the Deleted Announcement and Unconfirmed Reasons

The manner of Craig Jones's exit was as cryptic as the man himself, sparking immediate curiosity and countless fan theories. After 27 years of continuous service, his departure was announced via a brief, since-deleted social media post on June 7, 2023.

The Deleted Statement and Immediate Replacement

The band's post simply stated: "Slipknot has parted ways with Craig Jones. We wish Jones all the best for the future." This terse, almost impersonal statement was wiped from their official channels within hours, adding a layer of confusion and drama to the situation. Crucially, no official reason—such as "creative differences," "health issues," or "personal reasons"—was ever provided by Jones or the band.

What followed was an immediate, dramatic reveal. Shortly after deleting the post, Slipknot uploaded a photo of a brand-new, unnamed masked member to their Instagram, confirming that a replacement was already in place for their upcoming European tour dates. This swift, silent change mirrored Jones's own persona, but it intensified speculation about a possible internal rift or an immediate need to fill the role.

The Silence and Fan Theories

Given Jones's reputation for extreme privacy, his silence on the matter is unsurprising. This void of information, however, has led to intense speculation. The most common theories circulating among fans and media include:

  • Retirement: After nearly three decades of relentless touring and recording, some believe Jones simply chose to step away from the grueling schedule of a massive metal act.
  • Creative Differences: Despite his non-vocal role, Jones's sonic contributions were significant. A shift in the band's musical direction, particularly following the release of The End, So Far, could have led to a mutual parting.
  • Internal Conflict: The abrupt nature of the announcement and its subsequent deletion suggests a less-than-amicable split, potentially similar to past departures of members like Joey Jordison or Chris Fehn.

Who is the New #5? The Zac Baird Revelation

As of late 2024 and into 2025, the identity of the new sampler/keyboardist—dubbed "The Mystery Member"—remains officially unconfirmed by Slipknot. However, strong evidence and an accidental reveal have led the majority of fans and music news outlets to a single name: Zac Baird.

The "Tortilla Man" Slip

The strongest piece of evidence came from an unexpected source: Michael "Tortilla Man" Pfaff, the band's percussionist. Shortly after Jones's departure, Pfaff posted a photo to his Instagram story featuring a backstage name tag that clearly read "Zac Baird." The post was quickly deleted, but not before screenshots were captured and circulated widely.

Zac Baird's Credentials and Entity Connections

Zac Baird is a highly respected and prolific keyboardist in the rock and metal world, making him a credible replacement for an entity like Craig Jones. His professional profile includes significant work with other major entities, including:

  • Korn: He served as their touring keyboardist for several years.
  • Ghost: He has programming credits on several of the Swedish band's records.
  • Corey Taylor: He has worked with Slipknot's frontman on his solo material, establishing a direct link to the band's inner circle.

Another, less-prominent theory suggested Kyle Sherrod, who played keys in Shawn "Clown" Crahan's side project, The Black Dots of Death, but Baird's connection is considered the most likely.

The New Mask and Fan Nickname

The new member's mask is a major departure from Jones's signature spiked helmet. The new design is a sleek, silver, and highly detailed gimp-style mask with a distinctive, almost featureless face. Fans quickly assigned a nickname to the mysterious figure, often referring to him simply as "The Gimp" or "The Unknown." This new visual identity, along with the sonic contributions of both Zac Baird and new drummer Eloy Casagrande, signals a definitive new era for the band.

The legacy of Craig Jones is one of pure, unyielding anonymity. He was the silent, industrial engine of Slipknot for nearly three decades, and in a perfect final act, his departure remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in modern metal. While the band continues to tour and create, the void left by #5—and the intrigue surrounding his replacement—ensures that the era of Craig Jones will be remembered as one of the most unique and enduring in the history of heavy music.

craig jones slipknot
craig jones slipknot

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