Slipknot

Slipknot is an American metal band from Des Moines, United States, formed in 1995. The group is associated with heavy metal, metal, nu metal, alternative metal and alternative rock, and releases music on Roadrunner Records.

Formation and early line-up

The band forms in Des Moines in 1995 around percussionist Shawn Crahan, vocalist and percussionist Anders Colsefni and bassist Paul Gray. Before the group takes shape, several future members are active in the Des Moines metal scene. Jim Root plays in Atomic Opera, Joey Jordison and Craig Jones found Modifidious, Shawn Crahan leads Heads on the Wall, and Anders Colsefni and Paul Gray are involved in Vexx. Colsefni later forms Painface, and other early collaborations include Inveigh Catharsis and Body Pit.

In its early period the group is known as the Pale Ones before becoming Slipknot. The line-up changes several times before settling into a nine-member configuration by 1998, with the members identified as Sid Wilson, Joey Jordison, Paul Gray, Chris Fehn, Jim Root, Craig Jones, Shawn Crahan, Mick Thomson and Corey Taylor. The band also uses a number system for members during this era.

Recorded output and breakthrough

Slipknot self-releases Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. in 1996 and begins to draw local attention. Corey Taylor joins in 1997 after leaving Stone Sour, and the band signs to Roadrunner Records in 1998. Its first album brings wider recognition through touring, including appearances at Ozzfest. The singles Wait and Bleed and Spit It Out help build its audience.

Iowa follows in 2001 and achieves significant chart success. Singles from the album include Left Behind and My Plague. After its release the band goes on hiatus, while members pursue side projects and other work.

Side projects and activity during breaks

During this period Joey Jordison forms the horror punk band Murderdolls with Wednesday 13. Shawn Crahan starts the experimental rock group To My Surprise. Corey Taylor and Jim Root revive Stone Sour and Taylor also works on solo material. Sid Wilson performs under the name DJ Starscream.

Later albums and changes in the band

Slipknot returns with Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) in 2004. The album includes Duality and Before I Forget, and the latter wins a Grammy Award. All Hope Is Gone follows in 2008 and marks a commercial peak. It is later followed by internal tension and the death of Paul Gray in 2010.

The band resumes touring in 2011, with Donnie Steele performing bass offstage. It plays major festivals alongside acts such as Iron Maiden and Metallica, and launches its own festival, Knotfest, which features artists including Deftones, Lamb of God and Serj Tankian.

.5: The Gray Chapter is released in 2014 and reflects themes connected to Gray’s death. Joey Jordison’s departure is later linked to health issues, and the band introduces new members. Slipknot continues touring with acts including Korn and King 810.

Recent work and current line-up

We Are Not Your Kind arrives in 2019. Its cycle includes singles such as Unsainted and Solway Firth, and Chris Fehn leaves the band during a legal dispute. Around this period the group also works on more experimental material, influenced in part by Radiohead.

The End, So Far is released in 2022 as the final Slipknot album on Roadrunner Records. Around the same time Joey Jordison dies. In 2023 Craig Jones and Jay Weinberg leave the band, and in 2024 Eloy Casagrande, formerly of Sepultura, joins as drummer. The group continues to tour, including anniversary shows marking 25 years since its debut album, and works on a new studio album.