Slipknot Announces New Touring Bassist

On May 24, 2010 Gray was found dead in an Urbanddale, Iowa, hotel room. According to autopsy results, the 39-year-old bassist died of an accidental overdose of morphine and fentanyl.

A post on the heavy metal band’s website late last week notes that Steele was Slipknot’s original guitarist.

“Donnie was in the band at the very beginning, and rather than get an outsider, we thought it would be a fitting tribute to Paul to play with someone from within the family. Donnie was great friends with Paul and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate his memory than with someone who was there with us at the very beginning. The eight of us are looking forward to being onstage again and honoring Paul’s legacy with our families in Europe and Brazil this summer.”

Slipknot is booked to play this year’s Sonisphere Festival with shows in Greece (June 17), Switzerland (June 24), Italy (June 25), Finland (July 2), France (July 8), Sweden (July 9) and United Kingdom (July 10).

The Sonisphere shows mark the band’s first tour dates since October 2009.

Click here for Slipknot’s website.