Slipknot's mix of grinding, post-Korn alternative metal, Marilyn Manson-esque neo-shock rock, and rap-metal helped make them one of the most popular bands in the so-called nu-metal explosion of the late '90s. But even more helpful was their theatrical, attention-grabbing image: the lineup always performed in identical industrial jump suits and homemade Halloween masks, and added to its mysterious anonymity by adopting the numbers zero through eight as stage aliases. Add to that a lyrical preoccupation with darkness and nihilism, and an affectionately insulting name for their fans ("Maggots"), and Slipknot's blueprint for nu-metal success was set.

Slipknot were formed in late 1995 in the unlikely locale of Des Moines, IA; after some early personnel shifts, the nine-piece lineup settled around (in order from number zero to number eight): DJ Sid Wilson, drummer Joey Jordison, bassist Paul Grey, percussionist Chris Fehn, guitarist James Root, sampler/programmer Craig Jones, percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan, guitar player Mick Thompson, and lead vocalist Corey Taylor. The songs scene in Des Moines wasn't much to speak of, and the band's big-time ambition was usually met with disbelief and ridicule, which provided the initial spark for its mostly anonymous stage visuals. On Halloween 1996, Slipknot self-released an album called Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat., which began to build a buzz around the band once it found its way to several labels. It was picked up for distribution by the Nebraska-based ismist label, and also caught the focus of Roadrunner Records, which signed Slipknot in 1997. Working with producer Ross Robinson, Slipknot recorded their official, self-titled debut album, which was released in 1999. They gradually built an audience through near-constant touring, working their way up to the summer Ozzfest package tour, which really increased their audience. Their live performances were a much-discussed hit with metal fans, and the ensemble performed with such energy that Crahan gashed his head open on his own drum kit twice that summer, requiring stitches both times. The tracks "Wait and Bleed" and "Spit It Out" got the group some airplay, but most of the buzz came from hosting shows and word of mouth. Finally, in the spring of 2000, Slipknot was certified platinum; the first such record in Roadrunner's history.

The anticipation for Slipknot's follow-up was intense, and many industry observers predicted that it would debut at number one; however, faced with some stiff competition that week, the band's sophomore effort, Iowa, bowed at number three upon its release in 2001. More heavy touring followed, including another, more prominent slot on that summer's Ozzfest. After a long spell on the road, Slipknot took a break at a time of the members worked on side projects. The band set up its own label, Maggot Recordings, and signed a lineup called Downthesun, whose lead vocalist had served as Crahan's drum technician. Wilson, meanwhile, started DJing solo under the name DJ Starscream, and Root and Thompson both worked on solo songs. Drummer Jordison worked with a side group called the Rejects, where he'd actually served for quite some time as guitarist. Taylor, meanwhile, started a side group called Superego, and also contributed a solo song, "Bother," to the motion picture soundtrack of the 2002 blockbuster Spider-Man. That May, the group got some amusing press when some of its fans discovered the website of a British crocheting group also called "Slipknot," and flooded the members' in-boxes with excessively rude e-mails. guitar player Joey Jordison and Static-X guitar player Tripp Eisen teamed that summer for the Murderdolls project, at a time of Taylor reformed his old band Stone Sour and put forth an record. By the winter, Slipknot had still not reunited and Taylor wrote a commentary on the band's website stating that they had not spoken in months, and that they'd rather break up than become "the next Gwar". The statement sparked a quickly resolved minifeud between Taylor and Gwar frontman Oderus Urungus. but it also sent many of the Maggots into a tailspin. By early 2003, Taylor had retracted his comments, and announced plans for a new Slipknot record. That August the entire squad decamped Iowa for LA, where they began work on the new album with producer Rick Rubin. "Pulse of the Maggots" appeared in early 2004 as an exclusive download; it was came by a full track listing for Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses. Slipknot then embarked on a brief tour as a warm-up for their dates as the main billing act on Ozzfest that summer. (The band also debuted a fully redesigned third generation of their famous masks.) Subliminal Verses was put forth in May 2004. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200, and the band toured steadily for the next year and a half in support. They gave us 2-disc live album in November 2005, came by a slew of side projects (Taylor and Root formed Stone Sour, during Jordison sat in with Ministry and Korn) before releasing their fourth full-length record All Hope Is Gone in 2008.