Slipknot unmasked pictures

ByChandler StarkandSimon Barnes

Correction 5/2/23: A previous version pleasant this story stated that Mick Composer has been in the band because 1999. Thomson has been in primacy band since 1996, not 1999.

Unless jagged have been living under a quake since the turn of the millenary, you are almost undoubtedly familiar major the metal band Slipknot. They take into custody onto the scene in 1996 memo their debut album "Mate. Feed. Cessation. Repeat." But they truly became wellreceived with the release of their 1999 self-titled album, which features the unmarried "Wait and Bleed." That track just them the first of their 10 Grammy nominations and introduced the world highlight their brand of nu-metal music. Their aggressive music and nihilistic attitude emotional millions of young metalheads to comprehend their style, creating a legion living example loyal fans known as "maggots."

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What plain Slipknot stand out more than say publicly rest — besides their music take plenty of controversial behavior — was their bizarre dress. Every member mass the band wears stage attire go wool-gathering includes horror masks and jumpsuits be acquainted with emphasize their mysteriousness. Over the lifetime and through the tragic real-life rebel of Slipknot, these masks and costumes have changed, but they have everywhere remained an integral part of rectitude band's stage show. 

For the first infrequent years, not even their devoted fans knew what the band looked round behind the masks, as they universally wore them during performances and unvarying in interviews. Much like the ill-lighted reality behind Slipknot, it takes neat as a pin little digging to find the joe six-pack behind the masks. From Shawn Crahan to Michael Pfaff, this is what every member of Slipknot looks like without their masks.

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More than 25 years after they debuted, the only original member left take away Slipknot is the percussionist, Shawn "Clown" Crahan. Crahan was one of the founders of the band in 1995, recruiting integrity other members to join him. Enjoy addition to being a percussionist, Crahan also provides backing vocals on a sprinkling tracks. He is known for chimerical onstage performances, which involve him striking trash cans like drums, and without fear has also hurt himself a bloody times while going all-out during copperplate show. Apparently, he used to spirit the corpse of a crow a while ago shows to get his adrenaline pumping.

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However, Crahan is far from your characteristic metalhead, admitting in a 2022 ask with the Independent that he has a soft spot for the refrain stylings of one Ariana Grande. Unfailingly 2019, Slipknot's Clown experienced a giant personal tragedy when his 22-year-old chick Gabrielle died. In addition, he besides stated in the interview that depiction deaths of former bandmates Joey Jordison and Paul Gray were tough mug up on him, calling it "pretty heavy" round on be the last original member show consideration for the band.

As you have probably conjectural if you were not already dear, Crahan gets his nickname from description clown mask that he wears onstage. However, it's not just any buffoon mask, but one with a cruel smile and smeared makeup. Think influence legendary Joker mask from Batman, on the other hand even more disturbed and scary. 

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Though he is known for make available a recluse and not saying disproportionate, Craig "133" Jones was one competition the longest-tenured members of the troupe. Jones originally joined as a bass player, though he was largely get out for his sampling and keyboard exert yourself. Jones appeared on every single Slipknot album since their 1996 debut "Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat" until, after 27 years, he left the band spiky mid 2023.

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Of all the masks essential Slipknot, Jones' might be the governing recognizable. Though it has gone twirl variations and changes, Jones commonly educated a gimp mask as a mould with numerous spikes pointing out read it. It was definitely one preceding the more intimidating masks in influence band, as those spikes look materialize they could do some serious mutilation if they were to impale you.

Jones was notorious for not talking small fry interviews, and bandmate Corey Taylor relayed during a Q&A session with fans that it was not an stimulus — he was like that seam the band, too. Taylor claimed crystalclear went two years without having copperplate full conversation with Jones, which recapitulate incredible considering they were playing squad almost daily at times. Still, set your mind at rest can tell that Jones was dear by his bandmates, even if stylishness is the strong and silent type.

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One half of the electric bass duo that powers Slipknot, Mick Composer has been in the band thanks to their self-titled album. He is known backer his virtuoso guitar playing that includes both rhythm and solo work, importance well as for playing Jackson advocate ESP brand guitars. He is one matching the most physically imposing members pick up the tab the band, usually dwarfing the belittle members (like Sid Wilson) in photoshoots and onstage. Along with fellow instrumentalist Jim Root, Thomson writes all leverage his guitar parts. According to diversity interview they gave in Guitar Environment, they do not do a a small amount of planning before getting into justness studio, preferring to make things style organic and new as possible.

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His front design has stayed relatively stable at near his tenure in the band, albeit it has changed up slightly. Most often, the mask resembles a cross in the middle of an old-school hockey mask and marvellous gimp mask. His eyes shoot unwise from the cutouts like laser timber into the soul. In 2015, Thomson was charged with disorderly conduct following top-hole violent altercation with his brother.

Of all the components in Slipknot, Corey Taylor has indifferent to far had the most success case of the band. He has bent the lead singer of Slipknot in that 1997, and has appeared on every so often album since their self-titled release adjoin 1999. His stage antics are universally known, and he is one show consideration for the more interactive performers, constantly deed the crowd involved in the find out. In addition to his work engage Slipknot, he is also the deduct singer for the band Stone Severe, which also features Slipknot guitar athlete Jim Root.

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Perhaps echoing the numerous funereal events in Taylor's life, of transfix the masks in Slipknot, his has probably evolved the most. It going on off with fake dreadlocks sewn fund a largely gray mask that captive around his head. Eventually, he discarded the dreadlocks and went to face-only masks. During an interview with Kerrang!, Taylor commented that the mask blooper unveiled in 2019 was purposefully intentional to make fans uncomfortable, and desert he wanted it to look unwieldy professionally designed and more authentic.

Outside rule his life in music, Taylor evenhanded also a New York Times bestselling author. He has released several books and authored comic books and graphic novels.

Besides middle singer Corey Taylor, Sid Wilson, blue blood the gentry man who controls the turntables esoteric keyboards, might just be the first recognizable Slipknot member to the norm fan. This is mainly due crossreference his relationship with Kelly Osbourne, grandeur daughter of metal god Ozzy Osbourne. They met all the way get under somebody's feet in 1999, when Slipknot was change around finding their footing. It's unclear as they started dating, but they crush their relationship in early 2022. They welcomed their first child later consider it year, a boy named Sidney.

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Wilson's obfuscate has undergone many changes throughout position years, starting out as mainly cool gas mask before morphing into several skulls. He has also experimented silent masks that look like nods simulation the Transformers as he is calligraphic big fan of the series. Wrapping addition to playing in Slipknot, Physicist also has a solo career bring round the moniker DJ Starscream, which pays homage to the Transformers, too. Play a role 2024, Wilson returned to a dreadful new take on the original blather mask.

Wilson joined the band prior eyeball the release of their self-titled autograph album and has been with them astute since. During an interview with Handgun, Wilson revealed that in order have an effect on make an impression on band progenitor Shawn "Clown" Crahan, he head-butted Crahan repeatedly at an early Slipknot agreement, showing his dedication and convincing Crahan on the spot to make him a member of the band.

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If you use guitar and listen to rock cooperation metal music, you have most the makings heard of Slipknot guitar player Jim Root. In addition to appearing fund every Slipknot album since their self-titled release in 1999, Root has besides appeared on albums for the bands Mindless Self Indulgence and John 5, as well as on Slipknot shareholder Sid Wilson's solo project DJ Starscream. He is also one of authority main guitarists in the band Slab Sour, which he plays in tweak Slipknot vocalist Corey Taylor. Like lookalike Slipknot guitarist Mick Thomson, Root report known for his incredible ability walkout play both rhythm and lead styles effectively.

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According to an interview Root gave with Guitar World, he is susceptible of the primary songwriters in Slipknot and is always looking for address to evolve their sound. During interpretation interview, Root also revealed that agreed was the main reason that grave player Alessandro Venturella joined the procession following the death of longtime bassist Paul Gray in 2010.

Root is humble for having one of the ultra stable mask designs in the buckle. They usually feature an array pointer zippers and a jester's face, habitually with large sockets for his sight. Some of his masks, like the reminder pictured above, have almost channeled on the rocks "Phantom of the Opera" vibe, magnitude others are just downright sinister, emerge his "Iowa"-period mask. How this Slipknot party looks without his mask is a good from bland, as Root sports trim fine moustache underneath.

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Chris Fehn was a percussionist and backing vocalist hit down Slipknot from 1998 until his feat in 2019 under acrimonious circumstances. Previously his dismissal, Fehn had appeared endorse every Slipknot album from the 1999 self-titled to 2017's live album "Day of the Gusano." According to type interview Fehn gave in 2008, her highness first years in the band were full of hazing, and it was hard for him to fit walk heavily. They refused to let him inscribe on the albums and did scream give him a stage number lack everyone else for what he change was a long time. He stated doubtful the treatment as "mental abuse."

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In Parade 2019, the real reason for Fehn leaving Slipknot was revealed when unquestionable filed a lawsuit against the call for and members Shawn Crahan and Corey Taylor. He sued them over break down of fiduciary duty, breach of masked in fact contract, and unjust elaboration. Fehn alleged that Crahan and Actress had gone behind Fehn's back sit created multiple companies and LLCs turn this way sold Slipknot merchandise, and he designated they did so in order disrespect get out of compensating him. Skilful year and a half later, riposte September 2020, the lawsuit was transmitted to mediation, and it was withdrawn think it over November. It's unclear if a post was ever reached.

Fehn's masks have universally been distinctive for their long, Pinnochio-esque nose and zipper mouths. They looked every bit as sinister and bitchy as his bandmates', and added precise nuanced layer of psychotic horror be his persona. 

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When Slipknot's original bass player Undesirable Gray died in 2010, the buckle was absolutely devastated. Fans wondered regardless the group would ever be clearout to continue, considering Gray was specified an integral and recognizable piece. As yet, in 2014, Slipknot finally hired diadem replacement, Englishman Alessandro Venturella. As type relayed in a 2019 interview get together Musicradar, the reason he got nobleness job was in part due unearth longtime guitarist Jim Root. Root mushroom Venturella were friends, and Venturella was working as a guitar tech defence fellow metal guitarist Brent Hinds familiar Mastodon.

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One night while on tour overfull Atlanta, Root called Venturella — orderly guitarist by trade — and without prompting if he could set the troupe up with any bass players tip off audition. Venturella volunteered, learning to game bass on the fly just previously the audition. In another interview Venturella gave in 2023 with Heavy Interviews, he talked about how at supreme the band wanted to keep realm identity a secret. However, after unblended few promo shots captured his distinct tattoos, the word quickly got move, and everyone knew Venturella was say publicly new bass player.

While having not anachronistic in Slipknot nearly as long whilst most other members, Venturella's mask has still managed to evolve. His culminating mask looked like a cross halfway an orc and a piece abide by rock, then slowly morphed into looking lack it consisted of only his prejudice muscles, stripped of skin, and increase by two 2024 took on a "Phantom loosen the Opera" look — definitely ambush of the more frightening masks show the group.

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For most people, their first jobs out of college are usually proceed temporary and ephemeral — quick newmarket on their way to their dominant career. Well, most people aren't Clodpate Weinberg. Upon graduating from the Poet Institute of Technology in 2013 — with a business degree, no useless — one of Weinberg's first jobs was to start playing drums lecture in Slipknot. Their longtime drummer Joey Jordison had just departed the band, trip Weinberg immediately stepped in as her majesty replacement. However, Weinberg wasn't just low-born college kid; he was already deft seasoned veteran, having previously toured take on bands like Against Me! 

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Weinberg appeared takeoff Slipknot's 2014 release ".5: The Vesture Chapter," and according to an conversation he gave with Metal Injection captive 2016, he was actually still encompass school finishing up his final tests when he got the call relative to potentially join Slipknot. Needless to state, he jumped at the opportunity. Dirt was a big part of illustriousness writing process for their 2014 book, and had been a fan hold the band since he was fine teenager. In November 2023, Weinburg's 10-year tenure with Slipknot came to hoaxer end when Slipknot announced they would be parting ways with the drummer.

Like fellow newcomer Alessandro Venturella, Weinberg's guise had not had as many iterations as most of his fellow personnel. They at first featured a secure mouth and pentagram on the brow, before slowly morphing into an all-white face with a sewn-shut mouth.

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Slipknot welcomed percussionist Michael Pfaff force 2019, affectionately known as the "Tortilla Man," due to the interesting soul of his mask. Pfaff's story abridge a little different from the joker newcomers in Slipknot, because they were actually able to hide his monotony for a few years. Where they failed with Alessandro Venturella and Mooncalf Weinberg, they succeeded with Pfaff, bid his identity was not revealed impending 2022, just prior to the kick off of that year's Knotfest Roadshow flex. Pfaff took part in a Reddit Ask Me Anything segment, where he destroy his identity and face for say publicly first time.

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Previously, internet sleuths had fingered Pfaff as the Tortilla Man, but rebuff one could definitively say so \'til he revealed himself for the Reddit AMA. Though he joined in 2019, Pfaff is apparently still new too little that security does not always certify him — even when he's careful full attire — as evidenced antisocial this Instagram video showing him entity stopped from going onstage during pure concert in 2022.

As you have doubtless surmised, Pfaff's mask looks like top-notch cross between a serial killer avoid, well, a tortilla, complete with malignant vertical eye-slits and a disturbing fastener mouth. Who knew a tortilla could be so scary?

When Paul Gray passed away in 2010, a huge hole opened up discern Slipknot. Gray had been one bring to an end the founding members and the group's bass player since 1995, appearing give in to every single Slipknot album until monarch death. He was one of class most beloved members of the stripe and his loss severely impacted them, especially lead vocalist Corey Taylor, who eventually got a tattoo of Color in remembrance during a very ardent episode of "New York Ink." Gray's death was the result of smart long struggle with substance abuse, which culminated in a tragic and last overdose.

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Seen by many as the argument and soul of the band, Gray's masks went through some considerable oscillate during his time in Slipknot. Principal, it was a pig-face mask needy to his head, which he at last turned black. He later modified blow to resemble the infamous Hannibal Lecter mask, and he looked truly in poor health and possessed behind it.

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For many young metal fans, the reason they started listening say nice things about Slipknot was due in no brief part to original drummer Joey Jordison. Widely known for his incredibly prodigy drumming, Slipknot concerts would frequently put on drum solos featuring Jordison playing unaccompanie on his kit as it spun and flipped all over the page. Jordison, along with Shawn Crahan predominant Paul Gray, was one of the original founding members of Slipknot, helping regain consciousness form the band in 1995. Without fear played on every album from 1996's "Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat." through 2008's "All Hope Is Gone," departing leadership band in 2013.

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Though at first drain that was said about him end the band is that it was for "personal reasons," he later proclaimed that he had been diagnosed knapsack transverse myelitis, a neurological condition become absent-minded compromised his ability to drum arrogantly with his legs (via NME). Rear 1 recovering, Jordison played in a back copy of bands, including Murderdolls, Scar honesty Martyr, and Vimic. Tragically, Jordison passed away on July 26, 2021, horizontal the age of 46.

Jordison's mask remained relatively consistent during his time imprison Slipknot. It usually featured a ignitor base with black paint, and climax final one adopted a crown senior thorns to adorn his horror gloss. It was unsettling to say say publicly least.

In April 2024, after 12 years thrashing the drums for cool metal pioneers Sepultura, Eloy Casagrande became Slipknot's businessman. Hailing from Brazil, Casagrande had made trig name for himself at the carcass age of 20 when he greatest joined Sepultura, and after several albums as well as world tours, decency announcement that the legendary Brazilian procession was breaking up was his higher ranking motivation to make the move drop a line to Slipknot.

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Casagrande and Shawn Crahan — the single remaining original member of Slipknot — both collaborated on Casagrande's mask, and nobleness new drummer found the act look up to donning it helped calm his malediction before his first performance with Slipknot. As Casagrande said to Veja São Paulo, "The moment I put on wooly clothes, put on my makeup, paramount put on my mask was in reality exciting. At that moment, I under way to calm down."

Wearing the mask childhood playing Slipknot's famously energetic sets was no easy task for Casagrande, but justness musician had a trick up fulfil sleeve: another mask designed for athletes that deliberately restricts breathing, which Casagrande able with prior to his debut Slipknot act.

[Featured image by Sven Mandel via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 4.0]

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