Slipknot

Slipknot is an American metal band from Des Moines, Iowa. The current membership includes: Sid Wilson, Joey Jordison, Paul Gray, Chris Fehn, Jim Root, Craig Jones, Shawn Crahan, Mick Thomson, and Corey Taylor.

Slipknot uses a down-tuned guitar set-up (lead, rhythm, and bass guitars), two percussionists in addition to the primary drummer, and electronics (samplers and turntables). The band's sound has been described as "a threshing machine devouring a military drum corps." The band incorporates diverse vocal styles, typically involving shouted vocals, melodic singing and even rapping while the lyrics generally follow an aggressive tone. The band's musical influences include groove metal, extreme metal, industrial metal, and hip hop.

Slipknot's origins date back to 1992, and the band officially formed in November 1995. Slipknot underwent several line-up changes after releasing their debut album, the self-produced Mate.Feed.Kill.Repeat. in 1996. This was followed by their first studio-produced effort Slipknot in 1999. The band has released two other studio albums, Iowa and Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses), and are expected to release a fourth album in September 2008

Debut Album
In late 1998, Slipknot entered the recording studio to work on their debut album. In the early new year, guitarist Brainard decided to leave the band due to personal reasons. His replacement was Jim Root leaving the band with the line-up they retain. Recording finished in early 1999, and the band attended the Ozzfest which began in March. On June 29, 1999, the band released their eponymous album Slipknot. Regarding the album, Rick Anderson of All Music Guide wrote "You thought Limp Bizkit was heavy? They're The Osmonds. Slipknot is something else entirely.

Slipknot included variations of previously released songs, including "(sic)", and "Slipknot". These versions were faster than their previous recordings and this shift in intensity was welcomed by old fans. In the same year, Slipknot released their first home video Welcome to Our Neighborhood (which was later released on DVD in 2003). In early 2000, Slipknot was certified platinum, a first for an album released by Roadrunner Records.In July 2001, Q named Slipknot as one of the "50 Heaviest Albums of All Time

Slipknot will be returning in 2008 with their fourth studio album. Preparation for the album has been noted to have started in October 2007, recording was due to begin in January 2008, but it was pushed back to February. They are aiming for a September release. For this release, the band has displayed interest in making it their heaviest album to date, such as the expansion of thrash metal riffing that was introduced on Vol. 3. However, they also want to make it their most experimental record, and will be including more acoustic guitars and melodic vocals, as well as introducing hi-hats and cymbals to the additional percussion. The album will be the band's first work with Dave Fortman as producer. Along with the album, the band will debut "evolved" masks and uniforms, which match the style of the new album. Slipknot will headline the first ever Rockstar Mayhem tour festival from July and August 2008. In addition, the band will be playing the Reading and Leeds Festival in August.

Albums
* Slipknot (Double Platinum, February 2005)
* Iowa (Platinum, October 2002)
* Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) (Platinum, February 2005)
* 9.0: Live (Gold, December 2005)