Slipknot is an American heavy metal band, founded in 1995 by percussionist Shawn Crahan, bassist Paul Gray and vocalist Anders Colsefni. The band currently consists of Crahan alongside guitarist Mick Thomson (since 1996), vocalist Corey Taylor (since 1997), DJ Sid Wilson (since 1998), guitarist Jim Root (since 1999), bassist Alessandro Venturella (since 2014), percussionist Michael Pfaff (since 2019), an unknown musician who plays samples, media, keyboards and percussion (since 2023) and drummer Eloy Casagrande (since 2024).
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 guitarists Josh Brainard and Donnie Steele, and later drummer Joey Jordison.[1] 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 Corey Taylor 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 Sid Wilson also joined the band, bring the number of members to nine. Welts was fired in July 1998, shortly before the band signed a record deal. Brandon Darner was Welts touring replacement although he departed soon after and was replaced by Chris Fehn.[2] Brainard left during Christmas 1998, his replacement was Jim Root who joined the following year. This line-up would stay together for over 10 years.
In May 2010, Paul Gray died.[3] In March 2011, former guitarist Donnie Steele rejoined as his touring replacement.[4] [5] In December 2013, Jordison was fired from the band.[6] [7] [8] In October 2014, the band began touring with a new drummer and bassist, replacing Jordison and Steele respectively.[9] These musicians were later revealed to be Jay Weinberg and Alessandro Venturella respectively.[10] [11]
In March 2019, Chris Fehn filed a lawsuit against the band due to withheld payments.[12] He was fired from the band later that month.[13] He was replaced by a musician that was later revealed to be Michael Pfaff.[14] [15] [16] Craig Jones parted ways with the band in June 2023,[17] he was replaced the same day by a musician who identity has not been revealed, although they are rumoured to be either Zac Baird (ex-Korn), Nathan Church (ex-Downthesun) or Jeff Karnowski (ex-Dirty Little Rabbits).[18] [19] The band also parted ways with Weinberg that November.[20] Eloy Casagrande joined as drummer the following year, leaving Sepultura to do so.[21] [22] [23]
| Image | No. | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shawn "Clown" Crahan | 1995–present | all releases | ||
| Mick Thomson | 1996–present | all releases except Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. (1996) | ||
| Corey Taylor | 1997–present | |||
| Sid Wilson | 1998–present | |||
| Jim Root | 1999–present | |||
| Alessandro Venturella | 2014–present | all releases since (2014) | |||
| Michael Pfaff | 2021–present | all releases since The End, So Far (2022), except Live at MSG (2023) | |||
| Unknown musician | 2023–present | none to date | |||
| Eloy Casagrande | 2024–present |
| Image | No. | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Gray | 1995–2010 | ||||
| Josh "Gnar" Brainard | 1995–1999 | ||||
| Anders Colsefni | 1995–1997 | Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. (1996) | ||||
| Donnie Steele | ||||||
| Joey Jordison | 1995–2013 | drums | |||
| Craig "133" Jones | 1996–2023 | all releases from Slipknot (1999) to Live at MSG (2023) | |||
| ᗺ | Brandon Darner | 1998 | none | |||
| Greg "Cuddles" Welts | 1997–1998 | Slipknot (1999) | |||
| Chris Fehn | 1998–2019 | |||||
| Jay Weinberg | 2014–2023 | drums |
| Period | Members | Releases | |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 1995 |
| none | |
| September 1995 – February 1996 |
|
| |
| February – July 1996 |
| none | |
| July 1996 – early 1997 |
| none | |
| early – September 1997 |
| ||
| September 1997 – early 1998 |
| ||
| early – July 1998 |
|
| |
| July – September 1998 |
|
| |
| September – December 1998 |
|
| |
| January 1999 – May 2010 |
|
| |
| May 2010 – March 2011 |
| none | |
| March 2011 – December 2013 |
|
| |
| December 2013 – May 2014 |
| none | |
| March 2014 – March 2019 |
|
| |
| June 2019 – June 2023 |
|
| |
| June – November 2023 |
| none | |
| November 2023 – February 2024 |
| none | |
| February 2024 – present |
| none to date |