Slipknot is the debut studio album by the metal band Slipknot. It was released on June 29, 1999 by Roadrunner Records, following a demo containing a few of the songs which had previously been released in 1998. Later, it was reissued in December 1999 with a slightly-altered track listing and mastering as the result of a lawsuit.
It was the first release by the band to be produced by Ross Robinson, who sought to refine Slipknot‘s sound rather than alter the group’s musical direction. This is the only album to feature original guitarist Josh Brainard who left at the end of recording in late 1998 while the band was taking a brief break.
Jim Root, who recorded two tracks at this point, would appear full time on subsequent albums. Slipknot released 2 singles in support of their Slipknot album (1999): Wait and Bleed, released on July 28, 1999, and Spit It Out, released on September 16, 2000.
The album spans several genres, but is generally noted for its extensive percussion and overall heavy sound. It was well received by fans and critics alike and was responsible for bringing Slipknot a large increase in popularity.
The album peaked at number 51 on the Billboard 200, and has gone on to become certified double platinum in the United States, making it the band’s best-selling album.
Tracklist:
- 742617000027
- (Sic)
- Eyeless
- Wait and Bleed
- Surfacing
- Spit It Out
- Tattered & Torn
- Frail Limb Nursery
- Purity
- Liberate
- Prosthetics
- No Life
- Diluted
- Only One
- Scissors
Slipknot
Corey Taylor: vocals
Mick Thomson: guitars
Shawn “Clown” Crahan: percussion, backing vocals
Craig “133” Jones: samples, media
Jim Root: guitars on βPurityβ
ExβJosh Brainard: guitars (except “Purity”)
Chris Fehn: percussion, backing vocals (credited but doesn’t perform), vomit on “Mudslide”
ExβGreg “Cuddles” Welts: percussion (on demo tracks and “Spit it Out”)
Paul Gray: bass, backing vocals
Joey Jordison: drums, mixing
Sid Wilson: turntables
Production
Ross Robinson: producer, mixing
Rob Agnello: engineering
Chuck Johnson: engineering, mixing
Joey Jordison and Sean McMahon: additional mixing
Kevin Miles: mixing
Steven Remote: location recording engineer
Eddy Schreyer: mastering at Oasis Mastering, Studio City, California
Artwork
Stefan Seskis: album cover, tray card photography
Dean Karr: band photography
T42Design: album design, lettering
Lynda Kusnetz: creative director
Slipknot: packing concept
Management
Steve Richards: worldwide management for No Name Management
Ross Robinson: A&R
Monte Conner: A&R for Roadrunner Records
Jeffrey Light: legal representation
Dave Kirby: booking for The Agency Group