Slipknot's Corey Taylor cancels tour after admitting he ‘very nearly relapsed’

Corey Taylor has clarified why he was forced to pull his upcoming North American tour dates.

Earlier this month, the Slipknot frontman revealed that he had suffered a breakdown in both his mental and physical health.

As a result, he claimed he needed time to pull himself 'back together' and that wouldn’t be heading out on the road in the US.

However, many fans criticised the 50-year-old after four upcoming tour dates in South Asia were recently detailed.

Addressing criticism and concerns on Wednesday (January 24), Taylor took to social media and posted a candid video explaining this decision.

In the clip, he revealed why the Tokyo, Osaka and Manila shows would be going ahead.

“Originally, that [the new tour dates] was supposed to be mentioned in the statement I released related to my mental health relapse,” he said.

“The truth of the matter is I understand why so many of you are upset - I’m just going to break it down for you.

“Over the last year, I have had a complete and utter breakdown of boundaries, mental health, ego, entitlement, the whole nine yards.”

Corey Taylor addressed fans' criticisms and admitted he 'nearly relapsed'. Instagram/@coreytaylor

Taylor continued to say that the pressure nearly accumulated in a 'near relapse' and that he didn’t ‘recognize’ himself during that time.

He added: “So, again I just wanted to address this and just tell people I needed time to be reset, I needed time to start working on my heart and my mind and get straight.”

Taylor then revealed that he would be keeping firm his touring commitment in Asia because he would only be performing four shows.

“It’s literally a week,” he reasoned. “I’m going to see how I do with that and just take it day-by-day, basically.”

The musician added that he will continue to exercise self-care and is currently working on getting help to improve his mental health.

“I’m just doing the best for me right now,” he concluded. “It’s a long road and I don’t know what’s at the end of it.”

Fans have since pledged their support to the ‘Duality’ hitmaker, with one Instagram user writing: “We'd rather have cancelled shows and an alive Corey trying to take care of himself than to have your tour cancelled because you left us on tour. Take care of yourself man, we'll be ready when you are.”

Instagram/@coreytaylor

A second said: “Sucks that he got hate for worrying about his own mental health… do better everybody smh.”

“Before I forget to say, you are a legend. We are with you,” replied another.

Taylor has previously discussed his battle with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) while speaking about his track ‘Post Traumatic Blues’.

“It was one of those songs that I didn’t want to just be about me and my experiences - I wanted it to be a bridge between people who are dealing with PTSD and the people who are desperately trying to understand the nuances of what people have to go through,” he told NME.

“It’s one of the reasons why it tears families apart and went so undiagnosed for so many years - we never recognized the rainbow of symptoms and issues that come with it.”

If you or someone you know is struggling or in mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.