Slipknot at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore: A Chaotic Celebration of 25 Years of Mayhem

Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena hosted a night of metal madness as Slipknot made their much-anticipated debut at the newly renovated venue. The band delivered a performance that was as chaotic and aggressive as its reputation demands. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of their self-titled debut album, Slipknot took fans on a nostalgic trip back to 1999 with a setlist packed full of early material that resonated with both long-time Maggots and newer fans.

The evening started with a ferocious lineup of openers. Orbit Culture, hailing from Sweden, kicked things off with their blend of melodic death metal, setting a dark and intense tone for the night. Kentucky’s Knocked Loose followed, proving capable of keeping the energy high with their hardcore punk/metalcore fusion. Their relentless performance whipped the crowd into a frenzy, laying the groundwork for the mayhem unfolding.

Gary Wright‘s “Dream Weaver” played over the speakers as the arena lights dimmed, a haunting calm before the storm was about to hit. Slipknot erupted onto the stage with “742617000027,” immediately followed by the brutal onslaught of “(sic)” and “Eyeless,” sending the crowd into a collective frenzy. The energy in the venue was electric, with fans feeding off the band’s chaotic synergy.

The setlist was a dream come true for fans of Slipknot’s early work. Tracks like “Wait and Bleed,” “Purity,” and “Spit It Out” reminded everyone why Slipknot became pioneers of the Nu-Metal genre. However, the real surprises of the night were “No Life” and “Scissors,” songs that hadn’t been played live since 2000 until the tour’s opening night in Noblesville. These rare gems were met with explosive reactions, further fueling the intense atmosphere.

The band’s performance was a spectacle—mask-clad, furious, and unrestrained. Corey Taylor’s vocals were as raw and powerful as ever, while the rest of the nine-piece outfit created a wall of sound that was both overwhelming and thrilling. The inclusion of “Tattered & Torn (with a Sid Wilson remix)” and the ominous “Frail Limb Nursery” added a layer of eerie ambiance, contrasting beautifully with the unrelenting heaviness of tracks like “Get This” and “Eeyore.”

The band left the stage as the main set closed with “Only One,” but the crowd was hungry for more of the band’s trademark grit. The encore began with “Mudslide,” played over the tape, which served as a prelude to the final barrage. Slipknot returned to deliver a punishing trio of “Spit It Out,” “Surfacing,” and the rarely performed “Scissors,” ending the night on a high note that left the audience in awe.

Slipknot’s debut at CFG Bank Arena was nothing short of legendary. It was a masterclass in how to deliver an intense, chaotic, and thoroughly captivating live show. As the band continues to celebrate the legacy of their debut album, this performance in Baltimore will surely go down as one of the most memorable nights in the city’s metal history.

Setlist:

• Dream Weaver (Gary Wright song, played over tape)
• 742617000027
• (sic)
• Eyeless
• Wait and Bleed
• Get This
• Eeyore
• Tattered & Torn (Sid Wilson remix)
• Me Inside
• Liberate
• Frail Limb Nursery (played over tape)
• Purity
• Prosthetics
• No Life
• Only OneEncore:

• Mudslide (Labeled as “Hidden Track” intro on the setlist, played over tape)
• Spit It Out
• Surfacing
• Scissors

Gallery via Stu Kelly Photography