This highly provocative, Des Moines, Iowa, USA-based alternative metal outfit, whose shock rock values are masked by their anonymous stage wear of matching jump suits and horror masks, was founded by Shawn Crahan (b. 24 September 1971, USA; percussion) and Paul Gray (b. 8 April 1972, USA; bass). The early line-up of Slipknot released the independently recorded and distributed Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat in 1996. Although the band was struggling to make ends meet, their big break arrived when they were signed to leading metal label Roadrunner Records. The band, comprising nine members, subsequently adopted a lucky number to wear on their jump suits. Alongside Crahan (number 6) and Gray (number 2), was number 8 Corey Taylor (b. 8 December 1973, Des Moines, Iowa, USA; vocals), number 7 Mick Thompson (b. 3 November 1976, USA; guitar), number 5 Craig Jones (b. 11 February 1972, USA; samples), number 4 James Root (b. 2 October 1971, USA; guitar), number 3 Chris Fehn (b. 24 February 1972, USA; percussion), number 1 Joey Jordison (b. Nathan Jonas Jordison, 26 April 1975, Des Moines, Iowa, USA; drums), and number 0 Sid Wilson (b. 15 March 1978, USA; DJ).
Slipknot recorded their self-titled second album at Indigo Ranch Studios in Los Angeles, California. The production work of Ross Robinson was a marked improvement on their messy debut, but failed to disguise the sub-Korn metal of tracks such as "Eyeless" and "Wait And Bleed". The bestselling 2001 release Iowa confirmed Slipknot's remarkable popularity on the contemporary metal scene, with the band inspiring rabid devotion from their predominantly teenage fanbase (affectionately known as "maggots'). During a hiatus in band activities during 2002, various members of Slipknot embarked on outside projects, including Taylor and Root's Stone Sour, and Jordison's Murderdolls. The parent band returned in some style with 2004"s US hit album, Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses.
