Early years (1991-1998)
The "core" of the band formed in 1991, when drummer Shawn Crahan, vocalist Anders Colsefini, bassist Paul Gray and guitarist Patrick Neuwirth PAINFACE formed the band.Pat, as it was called the guitarist, Shawn also helped in his first band (heads on the wall) which also had as a guitarist Quan Nong.
In September 1995, the band "The Pale Ones" was created with Shawn Crahan on drums, Gray on bass, Anders Colsefini on vocals and guitarist Steele. Joey Jordison joined the band was soon after taking the role of drummer and, subsequently, Crahan moved to percussion. The band continued to develop his vision of what would be the band took the decision to add a second guitarist, Josh Brainard into action and changing Colsefini for percussion with vocals. The band played their first live performance under the name cast on December 4, 1995 called in a club called Crowbar in Des Moines. Soon after, Jordison suggested the band change its name to "Slipknot" after their song that eventually appeared on the band's demo Mate, Feed, Kill, Repeat.The band also began experimenting with their image, wearing grotesque, eventually, the anti-image concept was developed for the members wearing masks and overalls industry. At this point, the band had remained mainly obscured due to their desire to wait until their music was fully developed.
With many materials ready, the band began recording in a local studio, SR Audio with Sean McMahon. In February 1996, guitarist Donnie Steele left the band due to his Christian beliefs, while the other band members were willing to allow him to stay, Steele decided to leave. His replacement, Craig Jones, arrived during the mixing of the phases of this new project. On April 4, Slipknot played their first public performance at Des Moines reggae club the Safari, where he played most of his early shows. The band began to realize once again that there was a need for change, since they were adding samples of their recordings, but could not produce these sounds live. Later, Craig Jones moved to play sampler and Mick Thomson was brought in to occupy the space on guitar. After the conflict over the mixing and mastering, the band released their first album Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat on Halloween, 31 October 1996. With the production of this album, Sean McMahon began distributing registration and management of companies, which resulted in airplay on local radio and, in turn, earned a place in Dotfest. Slipknot had returned to the studio to develop new materials, which required a vocalist with a melodic voice and violent. As a result, Corey Taylor was recruited from fellow members of Stone Sour, which Colsefini being moved to the backing vocals and percussion. With their new vocalist, the band continued playing shows in Safari, one of which during times Colsefini the show surprised the band and fans alike announcing on stage that he was leaving the band. The gap on percussion was filled by Greg Welts, who was affectionately known as "Cuddles." In late 1997, the band was assigned individual numbers for each member, respectively, and began wearing uniform coveralls. In early 1998, the band created a small demo that included "Spit It Out." The Slipknot Demo was sent to many record labels and, along with a growing popularity on the Internet, the interest grew from record labels and eventually producer Ross Robinson was contacted. The band, which had a strong interest in working with Robinson, met with him and he was then decided that they would work together. Soon after, DJ Sid Wilson was brought to the band impressing his talent as a DJ surprising band. With the acquisition of Ross Robinson, interest grew and the band began to get offers from record labels. On July 6, 1998 Welts was asked to leave the band becoming the first (and only) band member to be fired, ultimately, from the band. Chris Fehn replaced Welts and July 8 they signed to Roadrunner Records.
Debut album and commercial success (1998 - 2001)
In late 1998, Slipknot went into the recording studio to work on her debut album. In early 1999, guitarist Brainard decided to leave the band due to personal reasons. Hisreplacement was Jim Root leaving the band with the line-up they maintain. Recordingfinished in early 1999 with "Me Inside" and "Purity", the band attended the Ozzfest tour, which began in March. On June 29, 1999, the band released their album Slipknot.Regarding the album, Rick Anderson of Allmusic wrote "You thought Limp Bizkit washeavy? The Osmonds. Slipknot is something else entirely." The band performed theLivin La Vida Loco Tour the tour supporting the album Slipknot.O Slipknot albumincludes variations of previously released songs, including "(sic)," a version of theprevious song "Slipknot". These versions were faster than their previous recordings andthis shift in intensity was welcomed by old fans. In the same year, Slipknot released theirfirst home video Welcome to Our Neighborhood (which was later released on DVD in 2003). In early 2000, Slipknot was certified platinum. In July 2001, the album was namedSlipknot as one of "50 heaviest albums of all time."
Iowa and side projects (2001 - 2003)
After the success of her debut, Slipknot decided to enter the studio again for a second album. Until then, the band had created a huge fan club base, and expectations for their follow up album was great. They returned to the studio in early 2001 to work on a new album. Iowa, the band's second album with Roadrunner Records, was released on August 28, 2001. Jason Birchmeier of Allmusic said "It's really all you could ask for in a Slipknot album, and then some," and David Fricke of Rolling Stone called the album "the first great record of the nu metal era." It was also a commercial success, peaking at number three on Billboard and number one in UK album chart as. In mid 2001, the band once again with the Ozzfest tour, and performed the Kill The Industry in which the tour was in support of the album Iowa. The band also appeared on stage in concert 2002 movie Rollerball. In the same year, while touring Europe on their tour Iowa European Tour, the BBC said that Slipknot stole the show and proved after viewing entertainment show band has performed at the Reading Festival in England. After touring Europe, the band performed at sites in Japan for the Japan Tour Iowa. In the same year, Slipknot released their second visual output with the launch of its DVD Disasterpieces. 2002 also saw the first serious musical projects for Slipknot members outside the band.Singer Corey Taylor and guitarist James Root returned the band Stone Sour with the release of his debut album Stone Sour. Drummer Joey Jordison also had his own project, he assumed the role of guitarist in the Murderdolls. Soon after, Slipknot took a break to work on a third album in late 2002, but the band was having problems. At this time, there were rumors that the band had finished and with no possibility of a third album. In mid-2003, Shawn Crahan had a new project, to the surprise of many, where he worked with producer named Rick Rubin.
Vol 3: (The Subliminal Verses), Live 9.0, and side projects (2003-2007)
In late 2003, Slipknot began writing and recording with the producer so named RickRubin, who previously worked with artists comoRed Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, System of a Down, Slayer and currently working with Linkin Park. Roadrunner Recordsalso announced that it would stop distributing albums in Scandinavia, due to financial conditions. However Slipknot could deal with Nuclear Blast Records in early 2003 forrelease in Scandinavia. The band released their third album, Vol 3: The SubliminalVerses, on May 24, 2004, which culminated in second place in the Billboard 200.Johnny Loftus of Allmusic called the album "a satisfying, carefully crafted representationof the band and career to date," while Robert Cherry of Rolling Stone said the album is"new experiences, even in extreme conditions, which if in the Slipknot song traditionmeans of structured their songs. "The album's title indicates that this is his third album,the members later mentioned that they do not consider Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat .. As analbum that reflects the band. In 2004, the band toured on Ozzfest for a third time, the same year, they made their first appearance at the Download Festival. In 2005, Slipknothas done many shows in the absence of Shawn Crahan, who was supporting his wifeduring an illness, including their return to Download Festival.
Shortly thereafter, Slipknot released their second live album, 9.0: Live which includedrecordings from shows in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Osaka, Singapore and Tokyo. Thealbum was released on November 1, 2005 and was appointed in place on the Billboard200 at number 17. In 2006, the band won his first Grammy for Best Metal Performancefor the song "Before I Forget." Later that year, Slipknot released their third DVD alsoVoliminal: Inside the Nine. Several members of the band collaborated with other artistson the Roadrunner United: The All-Star Sessions (CD released in October 2005). For the record, Joey Jordison was named as the "team captain" Root, Taylor, and Gray also contributed in producing the album. In 2006, Root and Taylor once again returned toStone Sour producing their second album Come What (ever) Apr. Joey Jordison drummed for several bands while on tour, including; Ministry and Korn. At the end of the year Crahan revealed a new side project, the band Dirty Little Rabbits, where Shawn plays drums.
All Hope Is Gone and tour (2008 - 2009)
After a while, Slipknot launched the long awaited album, All Hope Is Gone which was released worldwide on August 20, 2008. It is Slipknot's first album to stay in place number 1 on the Billboard 200. The preparation for the album began in October 2007 with recording postponed to February 2008. For this release the band to have expressed interest to become the fourth album by the heaviest of all, up to date with an expansion of the thrash metal introduced in Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses). However, they also wanted to make more experiments on their record, and wanted to include more acoustic guitars and melodic vocals, the introduction of dishes was added on percussion. The album was the band's first work with Dave Fortman as producer. Along with the album and the band debuted "evolved" masks and uniforms, which corresponds to the style of the album. Slipknot made its first performance at the Mayhem Festival in July and August 2008. The band was scheduled to play at Reading and Leeds Festival in August 2008, but were forced to cancel after drummer Joey Jordison breaking his tornozelo.O Slipknot also toured in Australia, Japan, Europe and the UK in the last months of 2008, with the bands Machine Head and Children of Bodom at the opening of their shows. The show dates have been announced in the UK on 20 August and in early December to tour the All Hope Is Gone. They were forced to cancel his concert in Israel, due to two members to be with family problems, Corey said the show would be rescheduled for the ride. James also said in an interview that "were just going to evaluate our tour and then off we go to find out how to sneak out some of the music we create, that does not make it to the record." becoming a possibility that the All Hope Is Gone would be revived, like the Slipknot album.
The 2009 Download Festival, which started from 12th, 13th and 14th of June at Donington Park in Leicestershire and England, was announced as Slipknot headline the main stage on Saturday. Slipknot tour recently that All Hope Is Gone World Tour would be completed later this year, which came about a year, passing through many countries.Although the visit has not yet been completed, many are still announcing more dates for shows and they CEZ Arena, Ostrava, Czech Republic, Rockwave Festival - Athens, Greece, Eurockéennes Festival - Belfort, France and many more shows.
Currently the band is on vacation, but in an interview with Metal Injection, Joey talked about the return of his side band, the Murderdolls and that Slipknot's next album will be released in 2012. It was confirmed that Slipknot will return in 2011, leading the Sonisphere Festival 2011 in the United Kingdom and France, Graspop Metal Meeting 2011 in the summer and Rock in Rio festival in September. Slipknot also confirmed that they are preparing to release her fifth studio album, not intended to replace Paul Gray.
Death of Paul Gray (2009 - present)
Police in the city of Urbandale, Iowa, said Paul Gray, bassist of the band Slipknot, was found dead in a hotel room. The information is the local newspaper "KCCI".
Gray's body was found around 11 am (local time) at the Marriott Hotel in the city. There were no signs of crime, but police are still doing a full investigation into the reasons for the death of the musician. The body of the bass will pass a drug test is an autopsy.
The seven members of Slipknot were moved enough to pronounce the first time about the death of mate in his press conference on May 25, 2010. Without masks, they said no speech and did not respond to questions.
The members were accompanied by the bassist's widow, Brenna, who was five months pregnant. "My husband was a wonderful person and I want him to be remembered for that. And your daughter will know him for who he was," he said.
Between tears, Corey Taylor commented: "We lost our brother, and the world seems smaller after that. He had the biggest heart anyone has ever known." "The only word that can summarize it is love." Artists also paid last respects to Gray, among them James Shaffer of KoЯn, Papa Roach's Jacoby Shaddix, Benji Madden of Good Charlotte, Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit. Sid Wilson recorded a song for Paul Gray.
Tony Gray, brother of the bassist, became known among fans of the band for his testimony in exciting global network of Slipknot at the meeting to the press after the death of Paul.
The death of Gray, Taylor Gray explained that they would like to continue, and in this spirit that he feels. He was inspired to Vinnie Paul, Dimebag Darrell who lost in 2004, and Avenged Sevenfold, who lost his drummer The Rev in December 2009. It was confirmed that Slipknot will return in 2011, leading the Sonisphere Festival 2011 in the United Kingdom, the Graspop Metal Meeting 2011 in summer, and the Rock in Rio festival in September.
The band confirmed in March that his replacement Paul Gray during live shows of 2011 will be the former guitarist Donnie Steele. In 2011 Slipknot fulfilled its "All Hope Is Gone Tour" by stating that Paul Gray can not be replaced. The UK Sonisphere concert was broadcast live on the band's official website. A hanger in the uniform of Gray and his mask were present on stage in the Tour and at the end of the last presentation they did a tribute to former bassist, taking pictures with "him" and the highlight was Joey, who was embracing the "body" of Paul crying for a few seconds, so the sound of "Till We Die" from the album All Hope Is Gone.