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Slipknot Information
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'Slipknot' is a nine-piece nu-metal group from Des Moines, Iowa. There is a debate concerning the group's musical genre, with fans generally classifying them as alternative metal and detractors generally classifying them as nu-metal, which they have more ties to musically, or mallcore. Aside from their real names, members of the band are also referred to by numbers 0 through 8.
Slipknot is currently one of the more popular musical groups of the contemporary music scene, with violent stage performances and music which is perceived as extreme in comparision with other bands in the mainstream market. Their albums and home videos have achieved Platinum-sales status, with Grammy indications in the "Best Heavy Metal" and "Best Hard Rock" categories for songs from all three of their albums.
The band is also known for its peculiar image: the members wear matching uniforms (some of which have UPC barcodes printed on the them) and each has a unique mask. They change masks regularly, with some members having changed masks over 3 times, although the masks rarely have any major changes in them.
History
Slipknot's first songs were composed in 1992, during what is refered to by the band members as the "Basement Sessions", conducted in the basement of Anders Colsefini, co-founder of the band. Many of the songs on Mate.Feed.Kill.Repeat and some that were added to later albums were written during these sessions.
They achieved a stable line-up in 1995, and released a demo entitled Mate.Feed.Kill.Repeat in 1996. The demo was well-received, and a few major record labels became interested in the group. At that time, the band counted with 5 members.
Slipknot eventually signed to Roadrunner Records, and released their self-titled debut album, Slipknot, in June of 1999. Despite receiving little airplay, the album sold relatively well, due mainly to word-of-mouth. Regarding the album, one reviewer wrote "You thought Limp Bizkit was hard? They're the Osmonds. (Slipknot) are something else entirely. And it's pretty impressive."
The band's fanbase was somewhat increased subsequent to their performances in the 1999 Ozzfest.
2001's Iowa, the follow-up to their debut album, was anticipated by fans and debuted at number three on the Billboard Magazine album charts and at number one on the UK album chart. They again toured extensively to promote the release.
The band also appeared in the concert scene of the 2002 movie Rollerball, staring Jean Reno, where they played the song "I Am Hated" from Iowa.
After an hiatus of close to two years, the band regrouped in late 2003 and began writing and recording with renowned producer Rick Rubin, who had previously worked with artists such as Johnny Cash, Beastie Boys and Slayer.
The band released their third album, Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses) in May 2004. Reviews were mostly positive. New Musical Express noted, "At least two thirds of it is still comprised of head-spinning speed metal, but there are signs of genuine progression, not to mention progressive rock, from the off." It debuted at #2 on the Billboard albums chart.
Several members of the band have been photographed without masks: vocalist Corey Taylor and guitarist James Root with their band Stone Sour, drummer Joey Jordison with his side-project the Murderdolls, percussionist Shawn Crahan with To My Surprise, Sid Wilson as DJ Starscream, guitarist Mick Thomson in the Total Guitar magazine, and bassist Paul Gray in a police mugshot leaked through The Smoking Gun. In the video for "Before I Forget" they performed without their masks; however, the band members' faces are shown only as brief glimpses, with the camera focused mainly on their bodies and instruments.
A live album recorded from shows in Las Vegas, Osaka, Singapore & Tokyo was released in November titled 9.0 Live.
Several members of the band also colaborated with other artists on the Roadrunner United: The All Star Sessions CD released in October 2005.
Debate on categorization
The critics are in disagreement as to where Slipknot's music fits, if in nu metal/alternative metal or other genres.
Those who consider Slipknot to be nu metal argue that the lyrical themes and instrumental styles of Slipknot (most notably the rarity of guitar solos), the use of turntables and sampling, and rap-style vocals are definitely similar to those of typical nu metal bands. On the other hand, those who do not consider Slipknot's music to be nu metal note that the majority of their music does not have a rap-based lyrical structure (although the influence of rap is evident in some of their earlier music). Additionally, most of their instrument settings are not typical of nu metal (scooping of the mid range is not common in Slipknot's music).
With the release of Slipknot's latest album, Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses), advocates felt that the presence of solos on their albums would end debates on the band's genre. However, it can be argued that this is simply another financially conscious move given the mid-2000s "retro-metal" renaissance, and that the style of vocals still have more in common with hardcore music than metal. Some others think that the presence of solos in their latest album is only due to the change of the producer, pointing to the presence of solos in songs released before they signed with Roadrunner. Following that hypothesis, producer Ross Robinson should have denied to Slipknot the use of guitar solos at all, to align them to the musical tendencies of late 90's. The debate goes on.
Detractors
Some detractors accuse Slipknot of not being sincere in their music, to show violence on stage and to scream only to sell better and not because they are really angry with the world. As one detractor of their music says: "Slipknot are intense the same way your little sister screaming is intense. It's loud and angry, but also very annoying and not the least bit menacing".
The band is also frowned upon by many critics due to their appearance which many attribute to shock marketing and are described as "gimmicky". Some argue that this is no different to other nu metal bands and that image is promoted in all mainstream bands.
Another detractor is that many fans of the band Mushroomhead claim that Slipknot copied them. (The rumor has it Roadrunner Records, Slipknot's record label, offered Mushroomhead a record deal around '95. Mushroomhead declined, and a year later Slipknot was signed.) But the fans of Slipknot say otherwise, along with Mushroomhead and Slipknot. And then there are people who are fans of both bands and say that they both came out around the same time, in different states, so neither band copied the other.
Other methods of shock marketing that the band incorporates are epitomized in songs like "The Heretic Anthem" suggest Satanic undertones. The lyrics "If you're 555 then I'm 666! What's it like to be a heretic?" imply the dark purpose strongly, but the band members say otherwise, discussing a more complex underlying theme, but agreeing that it is part of the shock marketing. This is aimed to stand out to those who do not wish to delve into the deeper levels of consciousness of Slipknot's work.
Slipknot is also accused of creating positions within the band for the sole purpose of increasing the total number of members in the band; for example, no other popular bands hold a position for a sampler, even if samples are included in the music. The band and fans claim that they have these extra members to create a unique sound, such as their two extra percussionists to add drum fills. However many critics argue that the extra members add little to the music, especially in a live setting, in a musical sense. Completely to the contrary, the energy of the band on stage with all the members is something completely unique for Slipknot, in comparison to other bands, and is quite possibly one of the reason why they are world-renowned for their exceptional stage shows.
Members
Current members
*0 Sid Wilson - Turntables
*1 Nathan "Joey" Jordison - Drums
*2 Paul Gray - Bass Guitar
*3 Chris Fehn - Custom Percussion
*4 James Root - Rhythm guitar
*5 Craig "133" Jones - Samples
*6 Shawn "Clown" Crahan - Custom Percussion
*7 Mick Thomson - Lead guitar
*8 Corey Taylor - Vocals
Former members
*Anders Colsefini - Vocals/Percussion
*Greg "Cuddles" Welts - Percussion
*Josh "Gnar" Brainard - Guitar
*Brandon Darner - Guitar
*Donnie Steele - Guitar
*Quan "Meld" Nong - Guitar
Discography
Albums
*Mate.Feed.Kill.Repeat (1996)
*Slipknot (1999) #51 US, #37 UK
*Iowa (2001) #3 US, #1 UK
*Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses) (2004) #2 US, #5 UK
*9.0 Live (2005)
DVDs
*Disasterpieces (2002)
Unreleased Discs and Demos
*Crowz (1997)
*Roadrunner Records Demo (1997)
*up to our knees 2001
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album |
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| US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | UK Singles Chart |
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| 2000 | "Wait and Bleed" | - | #34 | #27 | Slipknot | | 2000 | "Spit It Out" | - | - | #28 | Slipknot | | 2001 | "Left Behind" | - | #30 | #24 | Iowa | | 2002 | "My Plague" | - | - | #43 | Iowa and Resident Evil (Soundtrack) | | 2004 | "Duality" | #6 | #5 | #15 | Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) | | 2004 | "Vermilion" | #17 | #14 | #31 | Volume 3: (The Subliminal Verses) and Resident Evil: Apocalypse (Soundtrack) | | 2005 | "Before I Forget" | - | #11 | #35 | Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) | | 2005 | "The Nameless" | - | #35 | - | 9.0 Live |
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