Slipknot The slip knot is a stopper knot which is easily undone by pulling the tail ( working end). The slip knot is related to the running knot, which will release when the standing end is pulled. Both knots are identical and are composed of a slipp ...

is an American

metal A metal () is a material that, when polished or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electrical resistivity and conductivity, electricity and thermal conductivity, heat relatively well. These properties are all associated wit ...

band, founded in 1995 by percussionist

Shawn Crahan Michael Shawn Crahan (born September 24, 1969), more commonly known by his stage persona "Clown", is an American musician. He is the co-founder, percussionist, and only original member remaining of the alternative metal band Slipknot (band), Sli ...

, bassist Paul Gray and vocalist

Anders Colsefni Andrew Richard Rauw, known professionally as Anders Colsefni (born April 15, 1972) is an American musician, best known as the original singer and a founding member of heavy metal band Slipknot. Colsefni only appeared on Slipknot's 1996 demo a ...

. The band currently consists of Crahan alongside guitarist

Mick Thomson Mickael Gordon "Mick" Thomson (born November 3, 1973) is an American musician. He is one of two guitarists for the nu metal band Slipknot, in which he is designated #7. Thomson, who originally met founding Slipknot members Anders Colsefni, Don ...

(since 1996), vocalist

Corey Taylor Corey Todd Taylor (born December 8, 1973) is an American musician, songwriter, author and actor. He is the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Slipknot (band), Slipknot, in which he is designated #8, as well as the lead vocalist, guitarist, ly ...

(since 1997), DJ/keyboardist

Sid Wilson Sidney George Wilson (born January 20, 1977) is an American DJ and keyboardist. He is the turntablist for the nu metal band Slipknot, in which he is designated #0. Biography Sid Wilson was born in Des Moines, Iowa. Both of his parents are from ...

(since 1998), guitarist

Jim Root James Donald Root (born October 2, 1971) is an American guitarist. He is one of two guitarists for heavy metal band Slipknot, in which he is designated #4, as well as the former lead guitarist for rock band Stone Sour. Life and career Ro ...

(since 1999), bassist/keyboardist

Alessandro Venturella Alessandro "Alex" Giovanni Venturella is a British musician who is the current bassist for American heavy metal band Slipknot. He previously has served as a lead guitarist for Krokodil and Cry for Silence. Earlier in his career, he was the ...

(since 2014), percussionist/keyboardist

Michael Pfaff Michael Pfaff (born May 17, 1980), also known as Tortilla Man, is an American musician, best known as one of the two current percussionists of heavy metal band Slipknot. He was also a member of the alternative rock band Dirty Little Rabbits as ...

(since 2019), an unknown musician who plays samples, keyboards, and percussion (since 2023) and drummer

Eloy Casagrande Eloy Casagrande (born 29 January 1991) is a Brazilian musician, best known as the former drummer of Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura. He is currently the drummer of Slipknot (band), Slipknot and Casagrande & Hanysz. Biography Casagrande be ...

(since 2024).

History

Members of Slipknot had played together in various metal bands since 1991. In January 1995, Colsefni, Crahan and Gray decided to form a new band. They were soon joined by guitarist

Donnie Steele Donnie Steele is an American musician, best known as one of two original guitarists of the heavy metal band Slipknot. Steele co-founded Slipknot in 1995, performing on the band's debut demo '' Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.'' He left in 1996 and wa ...

and drummer

Joey Jordison Nathan Jonas "Joey" Jordison (April 26, 1975 – July 26, 2021) was an American musician. He was the original drummer of the nu metal band Slipknot (band), Slipknot, in which he was designated #1, and the guitarist for the horror punk Supergroup ...

, with Jordison also inviting rhythm guitarist Josh Brainard. In late 1995, the group changed their name to Slipknot. In February 1996, after recording their debut album '' Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.'', Steele left the band over disagreement over lyrical content. Craig Jones joined as Steele's replacement, although he soon moved to samples, media and keyboards. Mick Thomson joined as Jones' replacement on guitar. In early 1997

joined as lead vocalist, and Colsefni moved to backing vocals, although he would depart by September 1997. Greg Welts joined as Colsefni's replacement. In Early 1998, DJ

also joined the band, bringing the number of members to nine. Welts was fired in July 1998, shortly before the band signed a record deal.

Brandon Darner Brandon Darner is an American record producer, songwriter and musician. He has produced albums for a number of artists, including Imagine Dragons, To My Surprise, and his alternative rock band, the Envy Corps among others. Darner is a founding ...

was Welts' touring replacement although he departed soon after and was replaced by

Chris Fehn Christopher Fehn (born February 24, 1973) is an American musician. He was a percussionist and backing vocalist for the heavy metal band Slipknot from 1998 to 2019, in which he was designated #3. He was also the bassist for Will Haven from 20 ...

. Brainard left during Christmas 1998, his replacement was

who joined the following year. This line-up would stay together for over 10 years. In May 2010, Paul Gray died. In March 2011, former guitarist Donnie Steele rejoined as his touring replacement. In December 2013, Jordison was fired from the band. In October 2014, the band began touring with a new drummer and bassist, replacing Jordison and Steele respectively. These musicians were later revealed to be

Jay Weinberg Jay Bradley Weinberg (born September 8, 1990) is an American musician who is best-known as the former drummer of the nu metal band Slipknot. He is the son of longtime Bruce Springsteen drummer Max Weinberg. He played with the punk rock band the ...

and

respectively. In March 2019, Chris Fehn filed a lawsuit against the band due to withheld payments. He was fired from the band later that month. He was replaced by a musician that was later revealed to be

. Craig Jones parted ways with the band in June 2023, he was replaced the same day by a musician whose identity has not been revealed, although they are rumoured to be either

Zac Baird Zachary Baird (born February 16, 1971) is an American keyboardist known for collaborating with the nu metal band Korn. He is also noted for using the Moog synthesizer, as well as the Ondes Martenot. Early life Zach Baird graduated from the ...

(ex-

Korn Korn (stylized as KoЯn) is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, originally formed in 1993 by James Shaffer, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald Arvizu, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu and David Silveria, who were members of the band ...

), Nathan Church (ex-

Downthesun Downthesun (stylised in lowercase) was an American nu metal band formed in Kansas City, Missouri in 1999. The group was known for their abrasive and heavy sound as well as their association with Slipknot. Downthesun was the only act signed to S ...

) or Jeff Karnowski (ex-

Dirty Little Rabbits Dirty Little Rabbits was an American alternative rock band formed in 2007 in Johnston, Iowa. They are often referred to as a side project of Shawn Crahan, a member and founder of heavy metal band Slipknot. The band has not been active since 20 ...

). The band also parted ways with Weinberg that November.

joined as drummer the following year, leaving

Sepultura Sepultura (, "grave")Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 17. is a Brazilian heavy metal band formed in Belo Horizonte in 1984 by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera.Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 16. They were a major force in the groove metal, thrash met ...

History

Members

Current members

Former members

Touring musicians

Timeline

Line-ups

References

Bibliography