The eight remaining members of Slipknot removed their masks yesterday (May 25) to pay tribute to bassist Paul Gray, who has died.

Gray’s body was found in a hotel room in Des Moines, Iowa on Monday (May 24). He was 38.

The group were joined at a press conference by the bassist’s pregnant wife, Brenna.

She described him as “an amazing person”, and said his unborn daughter “will remember him for the way he was”.

Singer Corey Taylor said: "Yesterday we lost our brother, and the world seems a little smaller because of it.

“He had the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known.”

Taylor added: "The only way I can sum up Paul Gray is love."

Shawn Crahan said Gray was “the essence of the band” and credited their success to him.

Meanwhile, an autopsy on Gray’s body has proved inconclusive pending the results of toxicology tests, which could take four to six weeks to be completed.

The bassist was one of the original members of Slipknot, who formed in Des Moines in 1995.

(by Jason Gregory)