Individual thought patterns V.024: ITP V.010 ONLY ONE PER COFFIN: SLIPKNOT BASSIST PAUL GRAY FOUND DEAD (RIP- PAUL GRAY 1972-2010)

"You can't take my soul away from me"-SLIPKNOT

SLIPKNOT bassist PAUL GRAY died of an accidental overdose of morphine and fentanyl, a medical examiner gas stated.

SLIPKNOT unleashed "All Hope Is Gone", (2008) via ROADRUNNER RECORDS.

FROM SEPULTURA: "RIP Paul Gray, we're shocked and very sad, this is another tragic loss for our metal community."
FROM COLIN RICHARDSON (PRODUCER): "From Colin Richardson and all at Real, we send our deepest, most heart-broken condolences to Paul Gray's family, SLIPKNOT and their entire team. We, as so many, are in total shock over this terrible tragedy. Our love and respect for SLIPKNOT and their team goes back many years now and Colin has always been completely honoured to work with such brilliant artists. He is a true fan to the core and sends his love and condolences to everyone in SLIPKNOT and their camp. We all do, just as so many around the world will be doing the same over this tragic loss." Richardson mixed SLIPKNOT's "All Hope Is Gone" and "9.0: Live" albums as well as the "Voliminal: Inside The Nine" and "Disasterpieces" DVDs. FROM HATEBREED: Beattie: "It came as a surprise today to hear that Paul Gray passed this morning. He was a great guy and an amazing bass player. I consider it an honor to have gotten to know him. His contribution to the music world was enormous and will live on forever. R.I.P." Jasta: "Paul was a stand-up guy and a great musician. He and SLIPKNOT changed the face of rock music as we know it. Just about every metal band member from 1999 onward owes him a salute. "My condolences to his band, family and fans. "We'll miss you dearly, Paul. We are eternally grateful to you." FROM SHADOWS FALL: "I'm so crushed to hear about the passing of Paul Gray. I had the pleasure of first getting to know him on a press trip to New York City before our tour with SLIPKNOT and LAMB OF GOD in 2005 and then sharing stages and good times with him and the boys around the world. "He was a great musician, an underrated songwriter and a truly warm soul underneath the evil mask he rocked onstage. This is a huge loss to the metal world. He will be missed deeply." FROM NONPOINT: "I am deeply saddened to hear and read about the death of Paul Gray. "NONPOINT had the pleasure of touring with SLIPKNOT during the 2001 Ozzfest, and what we saw from Paul and the rest of SLIPKNOT was a band that gave their all live and put their bodies on the line. "To all in SLIPKNOT and Paul's family, NONPOINT send all our love, condolences and prayers out to you. You will be missed by all your friends and fans around the world. "Rest in peace, my metal brother." FROM HAIL MANAGER Mark Abbattista: As previously reported, Gray was found dead in an Iowa hotel room early Monday morning (May 24). He was 38. Commented HAIL! manager Mark Abbattista: "I spoke to Paul over the weekend, and we had a great conversation. He was so upbeat and excited as we discussed all our final gear and travel details, went through our new setlist and joked about the most fun way to 'unmask' him onstage. "We were so looking forward to playing with Paul on our upcoming tour and this is a complete tragedy. "We are all in a state of shock and our heartfelt condolences go out to [Paul's wife] Brenna, his family, SLIPKNOT, their management and all his friends. This is a horrible loss and a very sad day." HAIL! is scheduled to kick off a three-week tour of Europe and Asia this Saturday, May 30 at the prestigious Rock In Rio festival in Lisbon, Portugal. An official statement concerning the status of the dates is expected to be released tomorrow. Back in April, Gray stated about his involvement with HAIL!: "This is going to be amazing! After I heard the news about David reuniting with MEGADETH I touched base with Andreas and everything fell into place pretty immediately. I was excited about what they were doing and their whole attitude is just cool, old school camaraderie and fun and I wanted to share that with them. Fortunately, I had this window of time available as SLIPKNOT are on break so the timing worked perfectly. These guys have been through it all and they represent true metal brotherhood. I like that and I'm glad to now be a part of it. I can't wait, I wish we'd leave tomorrow. These shows are going to kick ass!" FROM DAVID ELLEFSON (MEGADETH/HAIL): "I was very shocked and saddened to hear of Paul Gray's passing [on Monday, May 25]. I considered him an incredible songwriter, inventive bassist, but more importantly a kind and warm friend. "As a fellow musician

, I was excited that he would be playing in HAIL! this coming month as I knew it would be a fun experience for him. I'm sad that the European audiences will not get to see him play those shows. "I extend my condolences to his family, to SLIPKNOT and their management, as well as his many friends and fans who loved him around the world. He was another one of the 'good ones' in our business... a wonderful man who will be missed by us all." FROM HELL YEAH: "We are completely shocked and very upset after hearing about the loss of Paul Gray. He was a great friend and a craftsman of one of the most compelling metal bands in history. Our thoughts are with his family, his bandmates and his countless fans and friends around the world. He will be deeply missed." FROM SATYRICON: "Today we mourn the passing of our friend Paul. The down to earth, friendly, unpretentious metal head that we loved. Our hearts go out to Slipknot, his family and his friends. May Paul have found his peace." FROM MARK MORTON (LAMB OF GOD): "We're all in shock at the news of our friend Paul's passing. He was an immense talent, and this is such an incredible loss. Paul had a HUGE heart and lived and died for music he made. I will miss him and the world will, too." FROM STONE SOUR: "We are profoundly saddened by the loss of Paul Gray. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and his brothers in SLIPKNOT. Paul was a true talent and just a great person to be around. We join the millions around the world expressing our intense grief over this loss. We'll miss you, Paul." FROM MACHINEHEAD: "We are extremely saddened to hear of Paul Gray's passing. SLIPKNOT are longtime labelmates, peers, friends, tour mates, and metal brothers. Paul was a great songwriter, bass player, and a genuinely nice person. Our paths have crossed many times since we all first met at Indigo Ranch Studios in 1998. He will be missed by all of us and our hearts go out to our brothers in SLIPKNOT and Paul's family." FROM TIM "RIPPER" OWENS: "I would like to send my condolences to [Gray's] family. "I played three or four times on stage with Paul and crossed paths a few other times throughout the years. He was always a great guy to be around and a great talent! I was looking forward to doing this HAIL! run with Paul on bass. Once again, let's pray for his family and keep them in our thoughts in their time of need." FROM BWBK.COM WRITER DAVID PERRI: I can't claim to have known Paul Gray in any significant way. The paths of our lives converged for a very brief period, a mere half-hour on July 14, 2008 as Slipknot was promoting its latest record, All Hope Is Gone. Paul and I didn't even meet in person, but even just over the telephone line one thing was so clear from the get-go: Paul Gray was a genuine guy. Gray could have been an asshole. He was, after all, part of a Grammy Award winning band that has sold millions of records world-wide and toured with the most known and beloved groups on the planet. But Gray was no asshole. He was an affable, genuine, down-to-earth guy whose near-constant use of the word "dude" made me smile throughout our entire 30 minutes. Gray wasn't just being nice for nice's sake. Our interview cut out several times as a result of Gray's new iPhone going through the glitches that usually greet the introduction of new technology. But each time his phone disconnected, he'd call me right back and apologize profusely that our conversation had been cut short. After more than a decade in the music journalism game, I can tell you without a doubt how rare an occurrence that really is. Gray, through that gesture of calling back several times on a July day almost two years ago, proved that he cared. Gray was a bonafide rock star - one of the founding members of Slipknot - but on the phone he was an unpretentious, warm guy passionately talking music to me, a stranger. After our interview, I hoped to meet Gray in person one day to tell him how cool he was. I wanted to tell him that I had interviewed individuals with out-of-control egos and equally out-of-control attitudes who had achieved far, far less than Gray had. Gray's friendly and kind disposition were an exception and a rarity in this crazy business we call music. On July 14, 2008, Gray's interview with BW&BK ended in the following way, as excerpted from #112 (Slipknot cover). It's sad to think that such a jovial guy is now gone. FROM LACUNA COIL: According to Bob Suehs of Rock N Roll Experience, Italian rock/metal act LACUNA COIL dedicated the song "Heaven's A Lie" to late SLIPKNOT bassist Paul Gray during last night's (Monday, May 24) concert at Recher Theater in Towson, Maryland. Suehs writes in his review of the show, "The most touching moment of the night was when [LACUNA COIL female vocalist] Cristina [Scabbia] spoke to the crowd for a few minutes and she said, 'Another musician died and that's why we'd love to dedicate this next song to Paul Gray and I want you guys to sing as loud as you can so your voice can go up and up and up and with him.' Scabbia is the longtime girlfriend of SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR guitarist Jim Root. FROM OTEP SHAMAYA (OTEP): "One of my earliest memories of Paul was our first tour of Ozzfest together — watching him mow down a 10-foot-high fence in a 'borrowed' golf

cart and that famous deviant, yet innocent grin of his as he scampered back to his bus. And then I witnessed his wonderful insanity on stage. "It is painful to write about Paul in the past tense. But he was, as the inscription on Jim Morrison's headstone reads 'kata ton daimona eautou,' true to his own spirit. "Part mystic, part madman, Paul was a savagely beautiful human being, an incredible writer, musician

, and performer, and an amazing friend. "For those of us he touched through friendship or by his incredible music

, there is some anger and outrage at this loss, the senselessness of it, but most of all, it is the heavy drapes of sadness that devours us. "Another candle fades into the night; another shadow ascends into the light. "Rest in power, my friend. Shake the walls of paradise for us." FROM SHARON OSBOURNE: "It's so sad that we've lost yet another young wonderful musician

, Paul Gray, #2 of SLIPKNOT. My love goes out to his family, fans and friends." FROM IN FLAMES: "When we found out about Paul's death, we were shocked. We had the privilege of getting to know him as early as 2000 and he was always a stand-up guy. He will be missed dearly! "Our thoughts go out to Paul's family, friends and fellow band members. "Rest in peace, Paul." FROM BILL WARD (BLACK SABBATH DRUMMER): "My wife and I would like to send our heartfelt condolences to Paul Gray's family and friends. Our condolences also extend to each member of SLIPKNOT. We wish everyone who knew Paul love, tolerance and eventual peace of mind. "Paul played in an incredible band. He was an incredible bass player. His death is another big loss for metal music, but his spirit and his love will forever ascend and teach. "Thanks for the music, Paul." FROM NATHAN JAMES BIGGS (SONIC SYNDICATE): "It's not the easiest fucking thing in the world to talk about, is it?" he said. "I mean, here's me still sitting around crying about the death of 'Dimebag' Darrell [PANTERA] that I still can't seem to get over... Pete Steele from TYPE O NEGATIVE and Ronnie James fucking Dio and... yeah, Paul Gray from SLIPKNOT now in the same fucking month. I mean, how bad is that? It really hurts, doesn't it? Things like this, they take a little while to sink in. I bet in a few weeks' time or something, it's really gonna hit home and occur to me that Paul Gray died. "SLIPKNOT were a huge part of my childhood, me growing up. 'Iowa' had a huge impact on what I listened to, and what I still listen to today. It was a defining album, and I think any metalhead my age will answer exactly the same thing, so rest in peace, Paul Gray. And the other greats who have left us recently, hearts and souls of SONIC SYNDICATE go out to them and their families, but more importantly, the legions and legions of their fans, our hearts are with them. What else is there to say? Everybody, just keep doing it for the live music scene and their memory. Respect." FROM SCOTT IAN (ANTHRAX): "Paul Gray was always super-fun to be around. He was always smiling and he was always all about the music

." "He and I were the main rhythm player and bass player for that band (*Roadrunner United All Stars). I got to spend a lot of time with him just jamming, which is what we both loved to do. We'd just get such a kick out of learning riffs. It was always all about the music. He just seemed like he was really that dude who just loved to play his instrument. I'm really gonna miss him." FROM BUCKCHERRY: "Everyone knows I'm a huge SLIPKNOT fan, and although I didn't know Paul Gray personally, I am very sad about this news. "Every great band starts with a great rhythm section. Paul and Joey [Jordison] are like a rapid-fire machine gun to the chest, and I felt Paul's passion and intensity every time he stepped on stage. "SLIPKNOT is not just a band, they're a gang — and that's why I believed, just like millions of others, that Paul was a huge part of that, and he will be very missed." FROM WEDNESDAY 13: "I write this with great sadness that such a great human being has left us. "Paul Gray was not a close friend of mine, but we were friends. In fact, he is one of the first people I met in this crazy fucked up business, but I will say that he treated me like he knew me his whole life. One of the most genuine people you could ever ask to meet. "I remember once back years ago, I hadn't seen him in a year or more — no phone calls, text — and outta the blue he texted me.... 'Hey, you wanna come hang out and go to the Grammys with me? We got nominated and I wanted to hang with ya.' "That's the kinda guy I will remember Paul Gray as, just an all-around good person. "To my brother Joey [Jordison, SLIPKNOT drummer and MURDERDOLLS guitarist], and all my friends within the SLIPKNOT family, my thoughts are with you all." FROM CJ PIERCE (DROWNING POOL): "Paul was, actually, the first person in SLIPKNOT that Dave Williams [late DROWNING POOL singer], me, Mike [Luce, drums], and Stevie [Benton, bass] ever met. "When we were recording the first DROWNING POOL CD, 'Sinner', in L.A. back in January/February of 2001, we would go out to the Rainbow after recording to have a few drinks and hang out. We ran into Paul a few times while SLIPKNOT was recording their second CD, 'Iowa', became friends and the next thing you know we're all on Ozzfest six months later rockin' out together. "We know what it's like to lose a brother and a family member. "Our hearts and our prayers go out to SLIPKNOT and Paul's family. You will always be remembered. "In memory of the ones we've lost, life will never be the same without you." FROM TIM LAMBESIS (AS I LAY DYING) : He was one of the more mellow guys in the band but any time we saw him he was one of the kindest guys, whose band spent a month on the road with Slipknot. "After touring with somebody for a month, you usually think that they'll have at least one aspect of their personality that'll get on your nerves and start to bother you. But he didn't have one. Any time we saw him he was always smiling." FROM ROADRUNNER RECORDS: “I would personally like to thank every single kid who has supported this band. Without them there would be no band. We wouldn''t be able to do any of this. They''ve made our dreams come true and we won''t let them down. We work 200 percent every time we play. We pride ourselves on working hard to make it worth it for the fans. So nothing but love and respect to everybody who comes to the shows, buys the CDs

, and gives the band a chance.” – Paul Gray, nyrock.com, January 2000 Roadrunner Records extends our deepest condolences to the bandmates, family, friends and fans of Slipknot

bassist Paul Gray, who tragically passed away on May 24th. Paul was a well-loved and respected member of the Roadrunner family. While the hard rock community endures a massive loss with his passing, Paul’s musical legacy will endure. Paul will be forever remembered for the intense energy he put forth on stage and the passion that he committed on record. He will be sorely missed. To remember Paul Gray is to look back on all that Slipknot have accomplished, for as Clown stated in Tuesday’s live press conference, “Paul Gray was the essence of the band.” Join us as we listen to Slipknot in Paul’s honor, and through our shock and sadness of this difficult time, remember the passionate musician

and sweet, fun-loving man who greeted everyone with a smile. Amy Sciarretto, Director of Publicity, RR US: “Every time I ever saw Paul Gray, he always seemed to be smiling or laughing about something. He did a lot of interviews for me when I was doing radio

for them and he also did a bulk of them for me when I became their publicist. I remember the Ozzfest date in August 2004 in the Pittsburgh market. I went out to cover dozens of interviews for Slipknot headlining the side stage and I remember bringing a parade of interviews, one-by-one, into this air-conditioned trailer set up behind the stage, and he knocked out every single one with a smile and consummate professionalism. He did everything that was asked of him and with a smile, making a very stressful day of interviews a smooth, seamless one. That doesn''t happen very often, but it did that day, and I always remember him being gracious. His memory will live in my heart forever. I send all my love and support to my friends in Slipknot as they go, this is a loss that guts you from the inside out.” Sam Westwood, Head of Online PR & Street Promotion, RR UK: “2003 saw me join Roadrunner and so I worked on all the subsequent Slipknot releases. I first met Paul when the band came in to London for promo for Vol 3: The Subliminal Verses, meeting the guys initially as they filed into Virgin Megastore for a signing, and introducing them to the Slipknot Street Team. Later that night, they played an intimate ‘secret show’ at London’s Astoria and after the show, I had some drinks with Paul and some of the others. That night I discovered Paul was a great guy who was sweet and funny and full of fun. The last time I saw Paul was just a few months ago back in the States and he greeted me with big grin and a hug. The thought that he’s gone is just too surreal for words. As a fan of Slipknot I am shocked and saddened at the loss of a member of a band whose music

truly touches my soul; at the loss of a man I admired. Having worked at Roadrunner for almost 7 years now, I mourn the loss of a really awesome guy I had shared some fun times with and who is part of some killer memories. I am distraught at the grief I see in colleagues who worked more closely with Paul and regarded him as a friend, and shudder to think of how his lovely wife, family, band-mates, management and friends are feeling. It’s all just too tragic, devastating and so so sad. My thoughts are with them all and I send my sincerest sympathies to them. Goodnight Paul. Rest In Peace.” Mark Abramson, VP of Promotions, RR US: “You can’t really address Paul the man without addressing Slipknot the band. The nine-man-brotherhood that is Slipknot has always been, through thick and thin, ups and downs, exactly that – a brotherhood. And they were always about fans first and to hell with politics and bureaucracies. I remember early on in the debut record being so thrilled to be a part of this obviously earth-shifting band. I was both excited by them but also scared by all that it seemed they were. They seemed like they were going to be so difficult to deal with but they proved to be awesome people -- they just had a strong self-realization of who they were and weren’t going to be swayed. I loved and respected them from day one. Over the years I got to know them more, I didn’t know Paul that well at first; he seemed so quiet to me, and with nine guys in the band I really gravitated towards those that I clicked with at the beginning – Corey and Joey and Jim. It was Paul who reached out to me first, not me to him, and it struck me immediately what a nice guy he seemed to be. Over the years I learned just how really true that was – he was a great guy – through and through. The “big name” guys may get a lot of the credit but Paul was also one of the most key guys in Slipknot from day one. It’s hitting me more as it settles in and it’s just not right! Paul – what can I say, I enjoyed our time together, I respected you tremendously. When we went #1 with “Dead Memories” I was so happy for you when management made sure to point out that it was your song, and I loved making that call to you to say congrats! You will be deeply missed. Much love and respect.” Kathie Merritt, Sr. Director of Digital /Physical Sales , RR US: “Paul Gray had a love for his band that brought out the “maggot” in everyone, even we older jaded industry types. He loved being in this band and wore that like a badge of honor. I am so much more a fan of Slipknot than an active participant in their personal world, but as a fan my heart breaks for the loss of such a nice person, who greeted every fan with a smile and deep appreciation. He was one of the good guys- and his passing makes me sad." FROM BRENNA GRAY (WIFE OF PAUL GRAY): "I would like to start off first and for most saying thank you to each and every one of you for the kind words, condolences, cards and flowers. "Paul loved his fans so much, and anyone who had met him knew he was the kindest, sweetest, most genuine person in the world. Not many people were truly as nice as he was; he would do anything for his fans and felt bad if he didn't get to autograph all his fans things or take a picture with them because he was being rushed. His intentions were to always make people happy and smile. "All of you have touched Paul in a way that he always would talk about how wonderful his fans are. "He tried to write back to all the messages he got on here the best that he could. "Please feel free to share your stories on here of encounters you had with Paul or at a SLIPKNOT show and please feel free to share your pictures too. Just because he is not here physically, he will always be with us in our hearts and you all have the power to keep him very much alive by sharing such stories, etc. "I would love to share all of your fond memories with our daughter, October. "He was very much excited to be a father and for her arrival. "Also I want to thank all of you for respecting our privacy. "I am not here to answer any questions; I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the amazing outpour of support and respect of my husband during this difficult time." Paul Dedrick Gray, was born on April 8, 1972 in Hollywood, California and died at the age of 38, on Monday, May 24, 2010 in Urbandale, Iowa. Paul was easy-going, charismatic, enjoyed his music, cars, his fans, Starbucks and spending time with his family and friends. He loved his puppies, and, of course, smoking his Marlboro Reds. He is survived by his wife, Brenna Marie Gray; his daughter, October Dedrick Gray; mother Nancy Gray-Miller and her husband, James; brothers Damon "Tony" Gray and his wife, Melissa; and William "Jay" Matthews and his wife, Lillian; nieces Ashley and Hanna Gray; mother-in-law Erin Alpaugh and sister-in-law Ashley Alpaugh; and his eight brothers in SLIPKNOT. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Anthony Gray, and his grandmother, Hellen B. Westby. Private funeral services were held Friday, May 28, 2010. Memorial contributions may be made to the Paul Dedrick Gray Family Trust Hudson, Maloney, Shindler & Anderson, P.C., 5015 Grand Ridge Dr.Suite, # 100, West Des Moines, Iowa 50265, Tel: (515) 223-4567, Fax: (515) 223-8887 Trustees are Paul's wife, Brenna, and his brother, Tony.

SLIPKNOT PRESS CONFERENCE: