In an unexpected twist, Slipknot thrilled their audience at Knotfest Australia 2025 by performing “Gematria (The Killing Name)” live for the first time. This event took place on February 28, 2025, at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse.
“Gematria (The Killing Name)” is the powerful opening track from their 2008 album, All Hope Is Gone. Despite its popularity among fans, the song had never been included in their live performances. Frontman Corey Taylor had previously expressed doubts about ever playing it live, citing internal band sentiments. In a 2023 interview on the All Things Music podcast, Taylor mentioned, “I’ve always wanted to open a concert with ‘Gematria.’ There are certain odiums around the way that that song was created and recorded, which is why some of the guys in the band are like, ‘Fuck that, we’ll never play it.'” He added, “It’s resentment. But for me, man, it’s such a fucking burner that I just love that song.”
Defying past reservations, Slipknot incorporated “Gematria (The Killing Name)” early in their Melbourne set, positioning it third after fan favorites “(sic)” and “People = Shit.” This surprise delighted attendees and showcased the band’s willingness to revisit and celebrate deeper cuts from their discography.
The Melbourne performance marked the beginning of Knotfest Australia 2025. The festival continued with shows at the Brisbane Showgrounds and concluded at Sydney’s Centennial Park on March 8.
