Corey Taylor says he had a “very real, very near relapse” in candid new video to fans

A couple of weeks on from cancelling his entire North American headline tour (due to the fact that his “mental and physical health have been breaking down”), Corey Taylor has shared a new, candid video update with fans.

The Slipknot singer posted the clip in response to an apparent backlash over his upcoming spring shows in Japan and the Philippines, which were publicly announced yesterday (January 24).

“I decided to make this video in response to a lot of the feedback that came out after I announced that I would be carrying on with my Southeast Asia run,” Corey begins in the video (transcribed by Blabbermouth). “Originally, that was supposed to be mentioned in the statement that I released relating to my mental health lapse.

“The truth of the matter is I understand why so many of you are upset, and I’m just gonna break it down for you. I, over the last year, have had a complete and utter breakdown of boundaries, mental health, ego, entitlement, the whole nine yards, culminating in a very, very real, very near relapse that I kind of don’t recognise myself.”

Corey adds that he needs “time to reset”, and he felt as though he could still do the Southeast Asia tour given that “it’s literally four shows, it’s literally a week”.

“I’m gonna see how I do with that and just take it day by day, basically,” he explains. “I’m working on self-care right now, getting the help that I need and surrounding myself with my family.

“So, to everyone concerned with me, thank you very much. I appreciate it. To everyone who’s upset, I hope this answers any of your questions. I’m just doing the best for me right now. And it’s a long road and I don’t know what’s at the end of it, but I look forward to it. I have gratitude for it, and I hope you can show me some patience. Thank you.”

Everyone at Kerrang! sends our love and best wishes to you, Corey.

Catch Corey live at Rock For People in June – get your tickets here.

Read this: Corey Taylor: “You either take advantage of what you’ve got going on now, embrace it and live in that moment, or you watch it fade away”