Formed by percussionist Shawn Crahan, former vocalist Anders Colsefni, and bassist Paul Gray in 1995, Slipknot emerged with a creative direction that tossed aside metal traditions in favour of fresh ideas, evident in the jaw-clenching riffs and venomous production throughout their self-titled debut album released on 29 June 1999. The American death-metal collective has since become a hit with critics and an instant classic with fans worldwide with their attention-grabbing image, provocative music style, and energetic live shows.
Following several line-up changes in the early years, the band settled on nine members for over a decade, including Crahan, Gray, Joey Jordison, Craig Jones, Mick Thompson, Corey Taylor, Sid Wilson, Chris Fehn, and Jim Root. Their 2001 second debut album ‘Iowa’ took a darker direction (peaking at number one in the UK charts), featuring singles ‘The Heretic Anthems’, ‘Left Behind’, and ‘My Plague’, which appeared on the film soundtrack for Resident Evil.
Slipknot returned in 2004 with Vol.3 (The Subliminal Verses) starring‘Before I Forget’. The track earned them their first Grammy award for Best Metal Performance two years later. Their fourth album, ‘All Hope Is Gone,’ debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart in 2008.
The band shifted into a new era after the news of Gray’s death in 2010 – starting with a small European tour and headlining Sonisphere Festival and Rock Rio alongside Iron Maiden and Metallica in 2011. Their next album ‘.5: The Gray Chapter’ materialised after a six-year pause.
Slipknot held their first annual metal-heavy festival, Knotfest, in the US (Iowa and Somerset) in August 2012 with appearances from legends Wisconsin, Deftones, Lamb of God, and Serj Tankian. In the following years, the group morphed around more line-up changes, sold-out tours, solo projects, and the release of ‘We Are Not Your Kind’ and ‘The End, So Far’.
Slipping into 2024 with seven members, Slipknot continues as strong as ever on the first stretch of their global 25th-anniversary tour.
How many albums have Slipknot released?
Slipknot has released seven 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).
How many records have Slipknot sold?
Over three decades, Slipknot has sold 30 million records worldwide and over 12 million in their home country (America).
Who are the current members of Slipknot?
The current members are Corey Taylor (lead vocals), Mick Thomson (guitar), Jim Root (guitar), Shawn Crahan (percussion), Alessandro Venturella (bass), and Michael Pfaff Eloy Casagrande (percussion).
Why do Slipknot wear masks?
Slipknot percussionist Shaun 'Clown' Crahan turned up to the band’s early rehearsals wearing a clown mask, which inspired his nickname. By 1997, Slipknot decided that every band member should wear a unique mask alongside a trademark jumpsuit.
For more information on upcoming Slipknot tour dates and tickets, please visit their official website.