Slipknot

Slipknot
Slipknot is an American heavy metal band from Des Moines, Iowa. Formed in 1995, the group was founded by percussionist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray. After several lineup changes in their early days, the band consisted of nine members for the greater part of their tenure: Sid Wilson, Paul Gray, Joey Jordison, Chris Fehn, Jim Root, Craig Jones, Shawn Crahan, Mick Thomson, and CoreyTaylor. However, the death of Paul Gray on May 24, 2010, left the band with only eight remaining members. Former guitarist Donnie Steele was the band's touring bassist in 2011.
Slipknot is well known for its attention-grabbing image, aggressive music style, and energetic and chaotic live shows. The band had somewhat of a meteoric rise to success following the release of their self-titled debutalbum in 1999. The 2001 follow-up album Iowa further increased the band's popularity. After breaking for their first hiatus, Slipknot returned in 2004 with Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) and once again in 2008 with their fourth album All Hope Is Gone, which debuted at the top spot on the Billboard 200. The band has also released one live album and four DVDs.
Early days (1995–1998)
Slipknot wasformed in Des Moines, Iowa, in September 1995 when drummer Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray started a band named The Pale Ones.[1] The lineup was made up of friends who met through the local music scene, including vocalist Anders Colsefni and guitarist Donnie Steele.[1] Not long after their inception, Gray invited Joey Jordison to a rehearsal because the band were interested in experimenting withadditional drum elements. Jordison subsequently joined the band as their main drummer, moving Crahan to custom percussion.[1] Furthermore, Colsefni also took up custom percussion while remaining the band's vocalist. The band then decided to invite Josh Brainard as their second guitarist, bringing their lineup to six members.[2] On December 4, the band made their live debut; playing a benefit showusing the name Meld.[3]
Much of the band's early development was retrospectively attributed to late-night planning sessions between Gray, Crahan and Jordison at a Sinclair gas station where Jordison worked nights. It was there, in late 1995, that Jordison suggested changing the band name to Slipknot after their song of the same name.[2] In December, Slipknot began recording material at SR Audio,a studio in the band's hometown.[4] Without a recording budget, the band were forced to self-finance the project, the costs of which came to an estimated $40,000.[5] In February 1996, guitarist Donnie Steele decided to leave Slipknot due to his Christian beliefs. When questioned in 1999 about Steele's departure, Jordison explained: "we were prepared to keep him on, but he didn't want to stay."During the mixing stages of their project at SR Audio, Craig Jones was recruited as Steele's replacement on guitar.[6] However, throughout their time in the studio, the band were adding samples to their recordings but could not produce these sounds live. Subsequently, Jones became the band's sampler and Mick Thomson was brought in as the replacement guitarist.[7] After a complicated time with mixingand mastering, the band self-released Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. on Halloween, October 31, 1996.[8]
"Slipknot" (1996)

29 second sample from the song "Slipknot" which the band was eventually named after. Slipknot's earlier music was slower than their later material and vocalist Colsefni had a much deeper vocal style than that of Taylor.[9]
Problems listening to this file? See media help.Distribution for the demo was initially left to the band and their producer Sean McMahon, before it was handed over to the distribution company Ismist in early 1997.[10] Slipknot received a small amount of airplay on local radio stations off the back of the demo. However, it didn't lead to any kind of interest from record labels, so the band returned to the studio to develop new material.[10] It was...