Groove Metal

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Before Slipknot formed in September 1995 as the Pale Ones, the Des Moines scene was shifting. In 1991, Jim Root played guitar for Atomic Opera while Joey Jordison founded Modifidious; later, Crahan's Heads on the Wall and Vexx with Colsefni, Gray, and Brainard created a web of local talent. By March 1993, Crahan jammed with Colsefni and Gray in Gray's basement, recording a song titled "Slipknot." In late 1995 at a Sinclair gas station where Jordison worked nights, the name changed to Slipknot. Donnie Steele joined as guitarist but left in February 1996 due to spiritual differences regarding lyrics. Craig Jones replaced him on guitar before becoming the sampler, while Mick Thomson took the guitar spot. The band self-financed their debut demo, Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat., with an estimated cost of $40,000, releasing it on Halloween 1996.

In Their Own Story

The band's rise began after the unsuccessful demo led to a search for more melodic vocals, bringing in Corey Taylor from Stone Sour by 1997. During local shows that year, Colsefni announced his departure. Greg Welts, known as "Cuddles," filled the percussion gap until he was fired two days before Slipknot signed a seven-album, $500,000 deal with Roadrunner Records on July 8, 1998. DJ Sid Wilson joined as the ninth member around this time. In September 1998, Chris Fehn replaced Brandon Darner to complete the lineup for their debut album in Malibu. Guitarist Josh Brainard left during the Christmas period, replaced by Jim Root. The resulting self-titled album released on June 29, 1999, was certified platinum in early 2000, making it Roadrunner's first platinum release.

Reader's Guide

Slipknot's discography reflects a consistent evolution of their heavy sound. Following their debut, the darker and brutal Iowa (2001) increased their popularity. After a brief hiatus, they returned in 2004 with Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses). Another hiatus ended in 2008 with All Hope Is Gone, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. Bassist Paul Gray died on May 24, 2010; Donnie Steele replaced him from 2011 to 2014 before leaving during the recording of .5: The Gray Chapter (2014). Steele was succeeded by Alessandro Venturella. Joey Jordison was dismissed on December 12, 2013, and replaced by Jay Weinberg. Chris Fehn left in March 2019 prior to We Are Not Your Kind (August 9, 2019), replaced by Michael Pfaff. In 2023, the band parted with Craig Jones and Weinberg; Eloy Casagrande replaced Weinberg the following year. Their seventh album, The End, So Far, arrived on September 30, 2022.

Did You Know?

• The band's name was suggested by Joey Jordison at a Sinclair gas station where he worked nights in late 1995.
• The debut demo Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. cost an estimated $40,000 to self-finance and was released on Halloween 1996.
• DJ Sid Wilson joined as the ninth member just before Slipknot signed their seven-album deal with Roadrunner Records in July 1998.
• Bassist Paul Gray died on May 24, 2010; after his death, Shawn Crahan became the only founding member remaining in the current lineup.
• Slipknot's debut album was certified platinum in early 2000, marking a first for an album released by Roadrunner Records.