Slipknot Reveals How Cristina Scabbia's Romance with Jim Root Led to Collaboration

Clown shares the behind-the-scenes story of the Lacuna Coil vocalist's guest appearance on the band's new album.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:22pm

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An abstract close-up image of shattered glass and metal fragments reflecting dramatic studio lighting, conveying the high-energy collision of two prominent metal acts.The unexpected collaboration between Slipknot and Lacuna Coil's Cristina Scabbia reflects the creative sparks that can fly when metal's biggest names come together.Des Moines Today

Slipknot's Shawn 'Clown' Crahan recently revealed how Lacuna Coil vocalist Cristina Scabbia's romantic relationship with Slipknot guitarist Jim Root led to her collaboration on the band's new album 'Look Outside Your Window'. Crahan explained that he approached Root about getting Scabbia involved, and the two producers worked closely with her during the recording process.

Why it matters

The collaboration between Scabbia and Slipknot represents a unique intersection of two major metal acts, showcasing Slipknot's experimental side and Scabbia's versatility as a vocalist. The relationship between Scabbia and Root was notably private throughout its duration, as Scabbia was concerned it would overshadow Lacuna Coil's musical achievements.

The details

Crahan described his unique approach to working with Scabbia, having her write a poem in Italian about 'batteries that are dying that cannot be recharged'. He and Root then produced her performance, 'really making her get conviction'. Corey Taylor was surprised when Scabbia 'busts into that vocal, singing, going for it' after he had already recorded his parts. Scabbia appears on two tracks from the album: 'The Chapel' and 'Medicine for the Dead'.

  • The 'Look Outside Your Window' project began recording sessions in the early 2000s but was delayed for nearly two decades.
  • Scabbia and Root's relationship lasted from 2004 to 2017.
  • Scabbia faced personal challenges in 2017 when both of her parents passed away.

The players

Shawn 'Clown' Crahan

A member of the heavy metal band Slipknot who produced Cristina Scabbia's guest vocals on their new album.

Cristina Scabbia

The vocalist of the Italian metal band Lacuna Coil, who had a romantic relationship with Slipknot guitarist Jim Root and contributed vocals to their new album.

Jim Root

The guitarist for Slipknot who dated Cristina Scabbia and helped facilitate her guest appearance on the band's new album.

Corey Taylor

The lead vocalist of Slipknot who was surprised by Cristina Scabbia's powerful vocal performance on the album.

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What they’re saying

“The first thing I did was make her write a poem, a letter of intent in Italian. I told her to make it about batteries that are dying that cannot be recharged. And she's like, 'OK.' I have the piece of paper in Italian, and she did her best to read it to me, but I've never read it since then or memorized it. I just like to hear it the way it is. Jim and I were producing her, really making her get conviction. By the end, you could just feel it.”

— Shawn 'Clown' Crahan, Slipknot Producer

“Corey had already sung on the song. So he thinks she's just doing the poem, but then she busts into that vocal, singing, going for it. I just remember Corey going back a little bit and he goes, 'OK.' He loved it, but it really surprised him in a good way.”

— Shawn 'Clown' Crahan, Slipknot Producer

What’s next

The 'Look Outside Your Window' album featuring Cristina Scabbia's guest vocals is set to be released later this year, giving fans an experimental new side of Slipknot's music.

The takeaway

This collaboration between Slipknot and Lacuna Coil showcases the creative synergy that can emerge from personal relationships in the music industry, even if the artists involved prefer to keep those connections private.