MORE MAYHEM

July 22, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

Taking things head-on has been alternative metal act Slipknot’s MO for more than a decade.

However, nothing has been harder for the band than the 2010 loss of founding bassist Paul Gray. Already on hiatus at the time, the Iowa-based act took a year off before reconvening last year for a European tour. Now Slipknot returns stateside as headliners on the Mayhem Festival, which includes a Wednesday show at Blossom Music Center and a July 28 gig at First Niagara Pavilion.

Even though the outfit’s reunion of sorts was expected, percussionist Chris Fehn knew nothing was guaranteed.

“It was just such a big blow that really any thought about going on or not going on, really didn’t matter for a long time,” said Fehn, calling from a tour stop in Atlanta. “It was like we needed a lot of time to really take a look back at what’s going on and what we needed to do to continue and to do it the right way. Sometimes bands can’t go on for reasons but I know for a fact that Paul would want us to go on. He loved the band so much. No matter where he is he’s proud of us for continuing something that he helped build.”

Fehn admits he still walks around corners backstage at venues expecting to see Gray’s smiling face. Set-list wise, the band is using its current outing to celebrate the group’s catalog with fan-favorite songs such “Psychosocial,” “Duality,” “Wait and Bleed,” “Spit it Out,” “Before I Forget,” “Snuff” and more.

Also, in an effort to not only reconnect the fan base with the catalog, as well as perhaps buy the band some time before recording its next album, Slipknot next week is releasing the combined greatest hits and live package “Antennas to Hell.”

It’s been quite an impressive ride for the mask-wearing metal act known for its brutally destructive soundscapes. While initially some may have scoffed at the Grammy Award-winning group as artifice, history and critics have spoken otherwise. More so, fans are dedicated, with all four Slipknot studio albums having gone platinum.

When asked what it is about Slipknot that speaks to the masses, the 40-year-old talks about the group’s intensity combined with its cathartic outlet for those have-nots in society. It’s a mindset that he returns to every time he puts on his pointy-nosed mask.

“It creates a level of intensity and a lot of hate,” Fehn said. “It’s basically the kick-start to the show for me. When I put that mask on I’m so caught in it, it starts the engine. And on stage once the intro starts, it just snaps you back into that mentality of where it comes from and why we’re here, and then it’s just on. It’s actually quite beautiful.”

Finally, the notion of returning to the Cleveland area is bittersweet for Fehn who tore up his knee while jumping off a drum riser in 2004. When asked if he’ll take it easy and perhaps tone down this stage show when he’s back in Northeast Ohio, the percussionist inadvertently — or perhaps intentionally — gets to the heart of what Slipknot is all about.

“See, that’s a beautiful thing about Slipknot,” Fehn said. “I’m going to have to jump higher if I do, you know. I can’t let that win. No fear. It’s just like Slipknot. We take everything pretty much head-on, and it kind of works out for us.”