Joey Jordison’s Band VIMIC Pays Tribute to Peter Steele in Newly…
This week, fans of heavy music got a powerful surprise an unreleased song from VIMIC, the band formed by the late Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison, has finally seen the light of day. The track, titled “In Your Shadow,” is more than just another metal song. It’s a deeply personal tribute to another fallen legend: Peter Steele, the unforgettable frontman of Type O Negative.
Recorded during the early days of VIMIC but left unreleased for years, “In Your Shadow” made its way online this week thanks to the efforts of Joey’s former bandmates and family. And within hours, it became clear this track isn’t just a nod to a fellow musician. It’s a love letter. A eulogy. A moment of raw musical vulnerability from one artist to another.
A Song with Soul
“In Your Shadow” opens slowly, with a soft piano that feels almost ghostly. Then, like a storm rolling in, guitars crash in, joined by the unmistakable punch of Jordison’s drumming. The lyrics are poetic, sorrowful, and sincere, with lines like: “You carved a world in shades of grey / And I walk through it every day.”
It’s clear that Joey felt a deep connection to Steele not just as a fan, but as a fellow soul navigating darkness through music. Peter Steele, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 48, was known for his haunting vocals, towering stage presence, and emotional depth. Albums like Bloody Kisses and October Rust earned him a cult following and respect far beyond the goth-metal scene.
Joey Jordison, of course, built his legacy in a different corner of metal, known best for his ferocious drumming in Slipknot. But he was also a songwriter, a guitarist, and a fan of artists who dared to be different. He’d spoken in past interviews about his admiration for Steele, calling him “one of the most honest voices in music.”
Now, with “In Your Shadow,” fans finally get to hear what that admiration sounded like.
Lost, Then Found
The song was initially recorded sometime between 2016 and 2018, during sessions for VIMIC’s long-delayed debut album Open Your Omen. That album, for a variety of reasons label issues, health complications, and Joey’s passing in 2021 was never officially released. Much of it remained in limbo. Until now.
VIMIC vocalist Kalen Chase and guitarist Jed Simon were the driving forces behind releasing the track. In a heartfelt post online, Chase wrote:
“Joey poured everything into this track. It was his tribute to someone he truly admired. We always knew we’d release it when the time was right and now it is.”
The production was finalized recently, staying true to Joey’s original vision. The result is a piece that feels both timeless and current, a bridge between two powerful musical worlds.
A Beautiful Meeting of Legacies
The response has been overwhelmingly emotional. Fans have described the song as “chilling,” “beautifully dark,” and “like hearing Joey speak to Peter from beyond.” Social media has been flooded with tributes, not just to the track, but to both artists’ legacies.
One YouTube commenter wrote:
“It feels like Joey left this behind so we’d never forget Peter and so we’d never forget him either.”
Music publications have taken notice too. Rolling Stone called the track “a stunning, spiritual dialogue between two icons,” while Kerrang! praised its “gothic melancholy and crushing weight.”
The timing also feels right. Just earlier this year, a 20th-anniversary edition of Type O Negative’s Life Is Killing Me was released, bringing renewed attention to Steele’s music. Slipknot, meanwhile, has been honoring Joey during live shows and hinting at a retrospective project focused on his contributions.
What Comes Next?
According to Jed Simon, “In Your Shadow” might just be the beginning. There are reportedly more unreleased VIMIC tracks, demos, and even handwritten lyrics that Joey left behind. The band is now working closely with his estate to respectfully curate and share those with fans.
“We want people to hear the music Joey never got to release. It deserves to be out there,” Simon said in a recent interview.
Whether or not a full VIMIC album eventually sees the light of day, “In Your Shadow” already stands on its own. It’s more than a song it’s a moment frozen in time. A tribute from one musical soul to another. A reminder of the emotional power heavy music can carry.
And perhaps most importantly, it’s proof that even in death, both Joey Jordison and Peter Steele continue to inspire, connect, and speak through the music they left behind.
