Slipknot formed in Des Moines, Iowa in 1995 — nine masked members deep, with turntables, samples, and a wall of percussion. Their self-titled 1999 debut and Iowa (2001) defined nu metal's extreme edge and still hit as hard as anything since. Find Slipknot vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Slipknot formed in Des Moines, Iowa in 1995 with rotating membership before solidifying the classic nine-member masked lineup by 1999. They are widely cited as one of the most important contemporary heavy metal bands and a foundational act of the late-1990s nu metal movement. Their 1999 self-titled debut on Roadrunner Records and 2001 follow-up Iowa established their distinctive blend of extreme metal, hardcore, and industrial influences, alongside their nine-member lineup with multiple percussionists, turntables, and samples. All members wear distinctive masks and are numbered (0-8 in original lineup). The band has had member changes across its history, with original bassist Paul Gray (#2) dying of accidental overdose on May 24, 2010 at age 38, and original drummer Joey Jordison (#1) dying of acute necrotizing encephalitis on July 26, 2021 at age 46 (multiple sclerosis-related). Drummer Jay Weinberg (son of Bruce Springsteen drummer Max Weinberg) departed in late 2023, with Eloy Casagrande (ex-Sepultura) replacing him in 2024. Their foundational influence on contemporary heavy metal and the nu metal movement is widely cited.
Slipknot's sound combines heavy metal, nu metal, alternative metal, groove metal, industrial metal, extreme metal, and hardcore with Taylor's distinctive vocal delivery (range from screamed extreme to melodic clean vocals), nine-member arrangements (multi-percussion, turntables, samples), Iowa-based sonic identity, and confrontational lyrical content addressing rage, mental illness, and broader extreme themes.
Roadrunner Records pressings of the Slipknot catalog have been issued in extensive color variant editions and elaborate limited deluxe pressings, with collector demand.
Listeners new to Slipknot typically start with Iowa (2001) or Slipknot (1999).
