Slipknot fans outraged as band unexpectedly announces they’ve parted ways with Craig Jones

Fans of heavy metal band Slipknot have been blindsided, with the iconic American band taking to social media on June 7 to announce their shock separation with keyboardist Craig Jones.

"To our fans, Slipknot is announcing that we have parted ways with Craig Jones," the band shared on social media."

The statement added: "We wish Jones all the best for the future."

That's a pretty major update considering Slipknot are set to go on stage in Austria in a matter of hours.

Oh, and the band is headlining Download Festival at the weekend in the United Kingdom, heading up a stellar line-up alongside Metallica and a slew of other rock greats.

And, well, let's just say metalheads on social media were less than impressed by the news.

One user said: "HE CAN NOT LEAVE."

A second added dramatically: "Damn, this made me push my fingers into my eyes."

A third chipped in with: "THIS WAS SO UNEXPECTED."

Another lamented that the band has lost another longtime member.

They wrote: "So now the band is down to four of the original numbers lineup. I think y'all should retire the band if you go under 50 per cent. Then it leaves room for new projects all around."

The iconic metal band was started in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1995.

Jones, also known by fans as 133, had been in the band for a whopping 27 years.

He was designated at 'number five' in the nine-member metal group, joining shortly after the group had finished recording their demo album Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat in 1996.

But that was decades ago. Fast forward to now, and the band is blindsiding fans with startling divorce notices on social media.

Jones was initially brought on board to take over from guitarist Donnie Steele.

Instead, Jones wound up makes samples and playing the keys.

The band have a full festival schedule lined up this year, with other headlining slots at Hellfest, Graspop Metal Meeting, Rock Fest, Inkcarceration, Blue Ridge Rock Festival and more.

As well as the spiky, gimp-mask wearing hole that will be left in Slipknot's lineup, the band will also be missing another familiar face.

Percussionist Shawn 'Clown' Crahan while he takes time away from the band for an undetermined amount of shows to care for his wife amid 'some health issues'.

Clown had confirmed his absence from the tour only hours before news of Jones' departure broke.

Clown said in a social media statement: "Hello to all of our fans, it’s the Clown. I would like to take a moment to tell everyone that I’m back home supporting my wife through some health issues, and I’ll be back on the road as soon as I can."

He added: "We’ve been through this before and as always, we appreciate the love and support. See all of you very soon."

Well, everyone except Craig Jones, we guess.