Slipknot have reportedly been told they aren't allowed to burn camel poop at this year’s Knotfest
UPDATED: October 16, at 12:50 p.m. EDT
We have received official confirmation that the plug has been pulled on the dung burning. Alternate plans, however, have yet to be revealed.
ORIGINAL POST: October 15, at 7:05 p.m. EDT
Earlier this month, Slipknot revealed that the “official smell” of their third annual Knotfest music festival would, of course, be burning camel excrement. A press release containing the unusual announcement read:
“Knotfest has its own aroma that will infest your brain, body and clothes for days after the festival is over. Personally picked by Slipknot themselves, the smell of Knotfest will permeate the festival grounds. Oil drums will be filled with camel shit… set aflame to last the entire festival.”
Today, however, TMZ reported that fire officials have put a stop to the dung burning before it even started. The piece claims that while they don't have an issue with the camel poop specifically, they do have a problem with the burning oil, which is illegal in California.
Nonetheless, for those who were looking forward to the horrid stench, don't fret—the report also states that the band are looking for alternative ways to produce the scent.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Slipknot member Shawn “Clown” Crahan elaborated on why the band chose to go with burning camel feces as the festival's “official smell,” saying, “I write down things in life that are special, that only living in this thought process can you ever obtain. Freshly mowed grass. How it smells when a nice spring rain hits. Because of Iowa, I like being in a different state that doesn't even have grass and think that I smell fresh-cut grass,” he explained. “It brings me home. Makes me feel safe… So, I figure, since we're not a band anymore—we're a culture, everybody needs to get used to that real quick—that the culture has to have a smell.” He concluded with, “You have to be able to be somewhere in the world, maybe be in a little pain, and then all of a sudden smell that and feel good again.”
This year's Knotfest will contain performances by Slipknot, Killswitch Engage, Of Mice And Men, the Devil Wears Prada, Suicide Silence and many, many more. Other non-musical attractions include a goat petting zoo, the Fitz Army motocross show, the first-ever zipline at an American music festival and even more. Tickets are on sale now.
Slipknot are set to release their highly anticipated fifth full-length album, .5: The Gray Chapter, on October 21 via Roadrunner Records. Additionally, they have announced a US headlining tour (the Prepare For Hell Tour) with support from Korn and King 810.
