by Edsel Dope recently shared his perspective on Static-X’s reunion without late frontman Wayne Static, praising the band’s approach in an interview with PipemanRadio.
The Dope frontman discussed how Static-X handled their reunion differently from other bands who have lost members. He emphasized the celebratory nature of their approach.
“They did it right. I think a lot of bands try to move forward. They feel their instincts are, ‘We gotta put a new guy up front and we gotta tell everybody that we’re okay and we’re moving forward,’” Dope said. “And their goal was not to move forward. The goal was to celebrate the achievement and then figure out a way for these experiences to take place for the betterment of the people that love the band and love the record and wanna celebrate and say goodbye, but also hello again. It’s a very interesting human experiment.”
Dope went on to address the significance of Static-X’s music beyond any single member.
“The truth of the matter, and I say this with great respect, is that the music was bigger than one person. The music connected to millions of people around the world. So, he knew that. We all know that,” he continued. “And you’re right, though. It’s really amazing. The result was not guaranteed. There was a lot of doubters. The fact that that Static-X, and I like to use the word is as ‘healthy’ in 2025 as it is after being as unhealthy as it was is fucking remarkable.”
Dope’s comments carry particular weight given his direct involvement in the Static-X reunion. The band has been performing since 2019 with a masked vocalist known as Xer0. He has been widely confirmed to be Edsel Dope himself.
Louder Sound reported that Xer0 wears a lifelike mask resembling Wayne Static as part of a band decision to respect Wayne’s legacy while maintaining the original band’s four-member stage format. The reunion began following Wayne Static’s death in 2014. The band remained on hiatus for several years after his passing.
The 2019 reunion tour marked the 20th anniversary of Static-X’s landmark album Wisconsin Death Trip. It was undertaken with Wayne Static’s family’s blessing. Consequence noted that the reunion was intended as a tribute to Wayne, aiming to keep the band’s sound and spirit alive without using holograms or pre-recorded vocals.
The masked vocalist concept initially sparked controversy among fans. However, reception has improved significantly as the tours progressed. The band has maintained high energy performances and demonstrated clear respect for Wayne’s legacy. Everview highlighted that the reunion tours have been commercially successful, including their participation in the Freaks On Parade tour with Rob Zombie and Mudvayne in 2024. The tours have drawn audiences with nostalgia and strong performances supported by new studio work.
The success of the Static-X reunion demonstrates that Dope’s assessment of the situation was accurate. The band’s approach of celebrating their legacy rather than simply replacing Wayne Static has resonated with fans. It has allowed the music to continue reaching audiences worldwide.
