SLIPKNOT

Des-Moines, Iowa’s American heavy metal mask-wearing band Slipknot released in August 2008, their fourth studio album All Hope is Gone on Roadrunner Records. It is the first experimental album by the band to ever peak at number one on the Billboard music charts. Throughout the year, Slipknot were touring all over Australia, Japan, USA, Europe and the UK with Machine Head and Children of Bodom opening up for fans at their concerts.

Since 1995, the band has consisted of the same original line-up with a total of nine members including Sid Wilson, Joey Jordison, Paul Gray, Chris Fehn, Jim Root, Craig Jones, Shawn Crahan, Mick Thomson, and Corey Taylor. Their intense energy and extreme performance style features a typical set-up of lead, rhythm, and bass guitars, two percussionists in addition to the primary drummer, and the mixing of electronics blending samplers and turntables into chaotic energy. Every single one of the slipknot albums challenges this type of sound, turning influences from death, black, heavy and nu metal sounds into an explosive and musically sonic creation. Like a carnival’s rollercoaster, Slipknot music may not be safe for the faint of heart, but it’s definitely right for those looking to chase a dangerous thrill.

Early formations of a band were beginning to form as early as 1992 with the core band members, drummer Shawn Crahan, vocalist Anders Colsefini, and bassist Paul Gray enlisting the help of guitarists Donnie Steele and Quan Nong.

Slipknot formed in 1995
and underwent several line-up changes following the independent release of Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. in 1996. Their self-titled debut studio album was released in 1999 and was followed by Iowa in 2001 and Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) in 2004. On August 25, 2008, the band returned to release their fourth studio album, All Hope Is Gone, which debuted at the top spot on the Billboard 200 charts. The band has released three DVDs including 2002's Disasterpieces, which was certified quadruple-platinum in the United States.