Slipknot

For this case study i will be carrying it out on, well obveously, the nu metal band Slipknot. Slipknot was firstly formed in 1992, when the core members, drummer Shawn Crahan, vocalist Anders Colsefini, and bassist Paul Gray enlisted the help of guitarists Donnie Steele and Quan Nong, and created Painface.

1995
In September 1995 the band 'The Pale Ones' was created comprising Crahan on drums, Gray on bass, Colsefini on vocals and guitarist Steele. shortly after, Joey Jordison joined the band taking up the role of drummer. Crahan, the original drummer, moved to percussion. They continued developing their vision of what they wanted the band to be and recruted a second guitarist, Josh Brainard, moving Colsefini to percussion along with lead vocals.

The band played their first live performance under the name of Meld on December 4, 1995 at a club called Crowbar in Des Moines. After which drummer Joey Jordison suggested renaming the band "Slipknot" after their song that eventually appeared on the band's demo 'Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.'. At this time they also began experimenting with their image, trying out face paint and the like finally resulting in the members recognisable masks.

1996
With plenty of material the band began recording in a local studio, SR Audio with Sean McMahon. In February 1996, guitarist Donnie Steele announced that he was leaving the band due to his Christian beliefs and left shortly after. During the mixing stages of this new project Craig Jones arrived, replaced Donnie Steele.

On April 4, Slipknot played their first public performance at Des Moines reggae club the Safari, where they had played most of their early gigs, alongside Stone Sour. The band began to realize again that there was need for a change, as they were adding samples to their recordings but could not produce these sounds live. Jones moved to full-time sampler and Mick Thomson was brought in to fill the space on guitar. After conflict over the mixing and mastering, the band self released their first album Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. on Halloween, October 31, 1996.

1997
Slipknot returned to the studio having developed new material, which demanded more vocal melody. As a result, Corey Taylor was recruited from Stone Sour, moving Colsefini to backing vocals and percussion. While experimenting with their new vocalist, the band continued to do shows at the Safari club, during one of which Colsefini surprised his 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". Towards the end of 1997, the band was assigned individual numbers respectively and began wearing uniform coveralls at their shows.

1998
The band created another small demo, which included "Spit It Out". The Slipknot Demo was sent to many record labels and, along with a growing popularity on the Internet and help from their then manager Sophia John, interest grew from record labels and producer Ross Robinson was contacted. The band met with him and decided they would work together. After showing great interest and impressing band members DJ Sid Wilson was brought in. With the acquisition of Ross Robinson, interest grew and the band began getting offers from record labels. On July 6 1998 Welts was asked to leave the band becoming the first (and only) band member to be ultimately fired from the band. He was to be replaced by Chris Fehn on percussion and on July 8 they signed to Roadrunner Records. Towards the end of the year Slipknot entered the recording studio to work on their debut album.

1999
At the begining of the year guitarist Brainard decided to leave the band due to personal reasons. Jim Root was to be his replacement leaving the band with the Current line-up. Recording finished in early 1999 and the band attended the Ozzfest in March. On June 29, 1999, the band released their album 'Slipknot'. The album included variations of previously released songs, including "(sic)" a version of the previous song "Slipknot". These versions were faster than their previous recordings and this shift in intensity was welcomed by old fans. In same year, Slipknot released their first home video Welcome to Our Neighborhood (which was later released on DVD in 2003).

2000
Slipknot was certified platinum, a first for an album released by Roadrunner Records

2001
Slipknot returned to the studios in the early 2001 to work on a new album. Iowa, the band's second album with Roadrunner Records, was released on August 28, 2001. It was a commercial success, peaking at number three on the Billboard album charts, and at number one on the UK album chart. Q named Slipknot as one of the "50 Heaviest Albums of All Time". in mid-2001, the band once again toured with Ozzfest and performed in the Kill The Industry tour in support of Iowa

2002
The band appeared in the concert scene of the movie Rollerball. In the same year, while touring Europe on their European Iowa Tour, the BBC said that Slipknot stole the show and proved entertaining after the band performed at Reading Festival in England. After touring Europe, the band performed at venues in Japan for the Japan Iowa Tour. Slipknot released their second visual output with the release of their DVD Disasterpieces

2003
In late 2003, Slipknot began writing and recording with producer Rick Rubin, who had previously worked with artists such as Johnny Cash, System of a Down, and Slayer. Roadrunner Records also announced that they would no longer be distributing Slipknot's albums in Scandinavia, due to financial terms. However Slipknot managed to pen a deal with Nuclear Blast Records in early 2003 for the releases in Scandinavia.

2004
On May 24 Slipknot released their third album, Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses), which peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200. The title of the album denotes that this is their third album, band members later mentioned that they do not consider 'Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.' as an album which reflects the band. Slipknot toured Ozzfest for a third time, aswell as making their first appearance at Download Festival.

2005
Slipknot released their first live album, 9.0: Live, which included recordings from shows in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Osaka, Singapore, and Tokyo. The album was released on November 1, 2005 and peaked at #17 on the Billboard 200.In 2006, the band won their first and only Grammy for Best Metal Performance with "Before I Forget". Later that year, Slipknot released their third DVD Voliminal: Inside the Nine.

2006-2007
Slipknot members picked up their side projects and the like

2008
August 20 Slipknot released their fourth studio album 'All Hope Is Gone'. It is the first Slipknot album to ever peak at number 1 on the Billboard 200. Preparation for the album started in October 2007 with recording pushed back to February 2008. For this release the band expressed an interest in making it their heaviest album to date with an expansion of the thrash metal riffing introduced on Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses). They also wanted to make it their most experimental record and wished to include more acoustic guitars and melodic vocals, as well as introducing hi-hats and cymbals to the additional percussion. The album was the band's first work with Dave Fortman as producer. Along with the new album, came an aray of new masks and uniforms to match the style of the album. Slipknot headlined the first ever Mayhem Festival festival in July and August. The band was scheduled to play in the Reading and Leeds Festivals in August 2008, but was forced to cancel after drummer Joey Jordison broke his ankle.Slipknot also toured Australia, Japan, Europe and the United Kingdom in the latter months of 2008, with the bands Machine Head and Children of Bodom opening at their concerts.

2009
Slipknot Head-lined the mainstage for the Download Festival on 13 june, and from a personal experience, were amazing and put on an all out explosive show.

Slipknot and their Masks:
Slipknot are known for their use of masks and overals/boiler suits which have changed near enough with every new album release, but the band has meet some contraversity with their image and also accused of stealing the image of another band by the name of Mushroom Head who also wear grotesque masks and face paint. The members of slipknot say that they wear the masks to draw the attention away from them and focus it on the music. Several members have said how the masks are a visual representation of how the music makes them feel and how they put the members into an animal-like mentality.