Slipknot is a metal group based in Des Moines, Iowa. They were formed in 1995, and are well known for their live shows and their image of nine masked performers. They are one of the most important bands of the NWOAHM (New Wave of American Heavy Metal).
On May 24, 2010, bassist and founding member Paul Gray died. Although Slipknot continued to tour, Gray’s death called into the question the possibility of new material. However, in 2013, Slipknot went into the studio to write and record what would be their fifth album. On December 12 of the same year, the band parted ways with drummer Joey Jordison. It was later revealed in 2016 that Jordison suffered from a rare disease called transverse myelitis (which affected his nerves and left him unable to play the drums). Jordison would pass away on July 26, 2021, at the age of 46.
During the recording process, Slipknot recruited two new members whose identities were, at the time, kept secret. They released .5: The Gray Chapter on October 21, 2014. After a year of touring, it was confirmed that Alessandro Venturella and Jay Weinberg were the new bassist and drummer of Slipknot.
On March 14, 2019, Chris Fehn filed a lawsuit against the band citing withheld payments. Fehn specifically accused Corey Taylor and Shawn Crahan of setting up several band-related business entities, in different states, that collect money from the band. Fehn called for full forensic accounting to be done on all of the band’s companies and assets in order to collect any profits and damages he may be owed. On March 17, 2019, the band officially announced, via their website, that Chris Fehn was no longer a member of the band, stating:
Slipknot’s focus is on making album #6, and our upcoming shows around the world, our best ever. Chris knows why he is no longer a part of Slipknot. We are disappointed that he chose to point fingers and manufacture claims, rather than doing what was necessary to continue to be a part of Slipknot. We would have preferred he not take the path that he has, but evolution in all things is a necessary part of this life. Long Live The Knot.
The group recorded their sixth album, We Are Not Your Kind, as an eight piece band, with Clown handling all percussion duties. Fehn was replaced by an unknown percussionist, later revealed to be Michael Pfaff. Pfaff first appeared on their seventh album, The End, So Far. That album was also the group’s last with their longtime sampler and keyboardist Craig Jones, as well as drummer Jay Weinberg. Jones left for personal reasons, while Weinberg was fired. Jones was replaced by an unknown musician, while Eloy Casagrande took over the position as drummer. This has been the group’s lineup since 2024.
In 2025, Slipknot were promoting the 25th anniversary of their self titled debut album, Slipknot, with new music on the horizon. They would return with new music in 2026, four years after their last major release, with the release of the song “Arsenal,” to very polarizing reviews from fans and critics. The band is now preparing for the release of their next studio album sometime around 2026 to 2027, alongside a major stadium tour.