Metal giants Slipknot are on the verge of finalizing a significant deal to sell their music catalog for approximately $120 million to HarbourView Equity Partners, according to industry sources familiar with the negotiations.
Masked metal titans set to sell decades of headbanging hits for a jaw-dropping $120 million paycheck
The deal encompasses the band’s archival catalog through the present day, especially excluding any future releases, and would grant HarbourView rights to both publishing and master recording royalties tied to the extensive body of work.
The Iowa-formed metal band’s catalog has proven remarkably lucrative, generating approximately $15.5 million annually from recording royalties over the past three years, with publishing royalties adding another $5.2 million yearly.
Their musical output represents an impressive 14.6 million album consumption units in the United States alone, accompanied by 6.8 billion domestic streams.
However, not all nine members of the masked metal collective are reportedly participating equally in the sale. Sources indicate that some band members have declined to sell their stakes in the catalog at this time, creating a complex negotiation structure that allows for partial member involvement rather than requiring unanimous consent.
This variable participation has affected the overall valuation, with estimates suggesting multiples between 13.5 and 20 times annual revenue.
Warner Music Group currently controls Slipknot’s recorded masters catalog after acquiring Roadrunner Records in 2007, meaning the deal primarily focuses on the band’s share of royalties rather than full master ownership.
Importantly, Slipknot appears to retain ownership of their publishing rights despite the ongoing sale negotiations.
The potential acquisition aligns with HarbourView’s aggressive expansion in the music royalties space.
The investment firm recently raised $500 million in debt financing specifically for music catalog acquisitions and currently manages a $630 million music royalties fund as of July 2025.
The deal would significantly strengthen HarbourView’s portfolio by adding a prominent metal music market presence alongside their existing stake in artists like Fleetwood Mac, Kelly Clarkson, and Wiz Khalifa.
The catalog sale represents a strategic move by some members to capitalize on their sync licensing opportunities, particularly valuable for a band with such distinctive and recognizable music that could be placed in films, TV shows, and commercials.
Band members could further leverage the sale by developing promotional strategies across streaming platforms to boost catalog visibility and engage new audiences.
The timing coincides with Slipknot’s 25th anniversary celebration of their 1999 self-titled debut album, for which they’ve released a special box set featuring 59 tracks, including 40 previously unreleased recordings, showcasing the enduring legacy of a band that has sold over 30 million records worldwide. This anniversary release underscores the band’s significant cultural impact as part of a broader industry trend where established artists are both celebrating milestones and monetizing their catalogs.
