New Delhi, Aug. 1 -- The man behind the gas mask - Slipknot's DJ and keyboardist for 27 years - was out of the band by Friday evening. Sid Wilson learned he had been permanently removed from Slipknot's lineup on July 31, according to a source with direct knowledge of the band's internal decision.

The reason for the firing has not been disclosed. Neither Slipknot's leadership nor Wilson had issued any public statement as of Friday night. TMZ, which first reported the dismissal, cited a source close to the band but confirmed that no official explanation accompanied the notification.

Wilson, known to fans by his performance alias DJ Starscream and his signature gas mask with articulated parts, joined Slipknot in 1999 as one of its nine fou...