Slipknot

Slipknot is an iconic heavy metal band that was founded in 1995 in Des Moines, Iowa. The group is obsessed with the numbers nine and six which are significant to their self-proclaimed "Maggot" fanbase. Although the band has experienced many changes in its lineup, its most famous core members are: Sid Wilson, Joey Jordison, Paul Gray, Chris Fehn, Jim Root, Craig Jones, Shawn “Clown” Crahan, Mick Thomson, and Corey Taylor. Slipknot soared to fame in the late 1990s with their self-titled debut album, followed by Iowa, Vol.3: The Subliminal Verses, All Hope is Gone, .5: The Gray Chapter, and their newest release, We Are Not Your Kind. The band is well known for its raw, energetic live performances, and for the signature masks worn by all members of the band.

About Slipknot

Slipknot was founded in 1995 by Shawn Crahan, Paul Gray, and Joey Jordison. The band comes from Des Moines, Iowa, and gained attention shortly after their formation due to their intense live performances. Their unique image with nine masked performers playing chaotic and often confrontational music was something that had never before been seen in music. The band's aggressive style is often categorized as "nu-metal," but they themselves prefer to be referred to as a "metal band."

As previously mentioned, Slipknot has had a rotating lineup throughout its history. The band began with only a few members and evolved into the more expansive version that fans know and love today. Slipknot recorded their first demo album, Mate, Feed, Kill, Repeat, in 1996. They gained significant attention after their self-titled debut album in 1999, which contained hit songs like "Wait and Bleed" and "Spit it Out." The music and the graphic imagery associated with the band appealed to listeners who were tired of the same old music being put out in the late 1990s, and Slipknot quickly gained a massive following of loyal fans who referred to themselves as "Maggots."

Their 2001 album Iowa, contained some of the most brutal songs the band had ever written and reached the top 3 of the US album charts. Their next album, Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses released in 2004, signaled a change in direction for the band with its more subdued mood and introspective lyrical content. It was also their first album to feature lead-single inclusions on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 2008, Slipknot released All Hope is Gone, which quickly rose to the top of the charts with hits like "Psychosocial" and "Dead Memories." In 2010, tragedy struck the band when founding member and bassist, Paul Gray, sadly passed away. The band continued to tour and perform with touring bassist, Donnie Steele, before finding a permanent replacement in Alessandro Venturella.

In 2014, the band released .5: The Gray Chapter, which was the first album they recorded in the wake of Gray's death. The album was named after Gray and contained emotionally-charged songs that dealt with his passing. The album also saw the introduction of drummer Jay Weinberg, who took over after the band parted ways with founding member, Joey Jordison, citing personal reasons.

In 2019, Slipknot released their most recent album, We Are Not Your Kind. The album featured a departure from the more radio-friendly rock found on their previous album and showcased a darker, more experimental side of the band. The album debuted at #1 in several countries, and its lead single, "Unsainted," became the band's highest-charting song on the Billboard Hot 100.

Slipknot is well known for its intense and chaotic live performances, often featuring elaborate stage setups, pyrotechnics, and of course, their infamous masks. The band has also been praised for its efforts to engage with fans and maintain an active presence on social media, regularly thanking their "Maggot" fanbase for their continued support.

Despite lineup changes and the tragic loss of a founding member, Slipknot continues to evolve and push the boundaries of heavy metal music. With millions of albums sold worldwide and a massive worldwide following, their legacy is cemented in rock history, and their influence will undoubtedly be felt by generations of future metal bands to come.