SLIPKNOT

Slipknot is an American heavy metal band formed in 1995 in Des Moines, Iowa. Known for their aggressive style, chaotic live performances, and distinctive image (members wear matching jumpsuits and unique masks), Slipknot became one of the most influential bands in the nu-metal and alternative metal movements. Their music blends elements of death metal, industrial, and alternative rock, creating a brutal yet accessible sound.

Slipknot’s most commercially successful and widely recognized song is “Duality” (2004), from their album Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses). It reached high chart positions worldwide and remains their signature track. Other fan favorites and major hits include “Wait and Bleed” (1999) and “Psychosocial” (2008).

Slipknot’s longest officially released studio track is “All Out Life” (2018) running over 5 minutes, but in terms of standard album tracks, “Scissors” (from their 1999 self-titled album) is the longest, clocking in at 8:27. Some live improvisational versions of songs like “Iowa” (from the Iowa album) stretch beyond 15 minutes in performance.

Slipknot is known for having nine members (though the lineup has changed over the years). The classic lineup includes:
Corey Taylor – lead vocals
Shawn Crahan (“Clown”) – percussion, backing vocals
Jim Root – guitar
Mick Thomson – guitar
Sid Wilson – turntables
Craig Jones – samples, keyboards (until 2023)
Jay Weinberg – drums (2014–2023)
Alessandro Venturella – bass (2014–present)
Michael Pfaff (“Tortilla Man”) – percussion, backing vocals (2019–present)
Earlier key members included Paul Gray (bass, passed away in 2010) and Joey Jordison (drums, passed away in 2021).

As of 2025, Slipknot has released 7 studio albums: Slipknot (1999) Iowa (2001) Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) (2004) All Hope Is Gone (2008) .5: The Gray Chapter (2014) We Are Not Your Kind (2019) The End, So Far (2022) They have also released live albums, compilations, and numerous DVDs documenting their intense performances.

During the recording of their second album Iowa (2001), Corey Taylor recorded many of his vocal tracks completely naked, cutting himself with broken glass, and vomiting between takes to capture the rawest, most disturbing emotional energy possible. The album is often described as one of the darkest mainstream metal albums ever, and that extreme, almost self-destructive approach is part of why it feels so brutally authentic.