Unmasking Slipknot's Corey Taylor

Corey Taylor, best-known as the masked frontman for Slipknot, returned to his "second home" of Denver Saturday night, November 19 2011. Fans were treated to a softer side Taylor at the Gothic Theatre, who was on tour for his book Seven Deadly Sins. Taylor stopped by to read excerpts, performed an acoustic set and answered questions.

Often humorous and insightful, Taylor spoke for more than two hours and touched on how he lived in Lakewood, Colorado before joining Slipknot – and tried to embarrass his friends and old roommates that were in the audience, in addition to mentioning a porn shop where he worked that he dubbed "the slut hut."

One story that the crowd found amusing was when Slipknot was on the same festival bill with Guns N' Roses in Europe. Taylor was told only Guns N' Roses were permitted in a certain corridor. Taylor proceeded to sneak in, play Axl Roses grand piano and place he genitals on the piano while playing a few notes.

About an hour into the show, Taylor picked up an acoustic guitar and played several Slipknot, Stone Sour, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, U2 and Alice In Chains songs. -- Words and photos by Brandon Marshall