3. Slipknot
Another band that originated in the 90s but found the majority of their success in the 2000s is metal giants Slipknot. The infamous 9-piece band from Des Moines, Iowa entranced fans around the world with their blend of rap, metal and thrash, angry lyrics and, of course, distinguishable look. I say 9-piece but Slipknot lost bassist Paul Gray, #2, in 2010 as a result of accidental overdose, reducing them to 8. Despite this I include him in the line-up as he was there for every album and they havent made anything since his death. Slipknot, like Avenged Sevenfold, lost an intricate member of their group and havent fully recovered. Slipknot burst onto the scene in 1999 with their self-titled debut album. They were immediately popular due to their talents, raw music and aesthetic; for which they stood out, big time. Theyve released four albums, including the self-titled debut, the last of which went to number 1 in the billboard 200. Quite the achievement for a metal band. The last Slipknot album, All Hope Is Gone, came in 2009. 4 years later and we havent had any news of a new album, to the dismay of fans everywhere. Frontman Cory Taylor has been hard at work however making a double-album for Stone Sour, released in 2012 and 2013, meaning weve still gotten to hear his voice and musical output, even though it isnt with Slipknot. Taylor is also making music elsewhere, writing books and comics, making documentaries and TV shows and juggling family-life; clearly he has a lot on his plate. Nevertheless hopefully we get some news on the Slipknot front sooner rather than later.
Taylor has a great voice, be it screaming and growling with Slipknot or singing acoustic melodies with Stone Sour, (although both bands do much more), his range is remarkable, which wasnt evident to fans until he resurfaced Stone Sour and the acoustic single Bother. Corey Taylor leads two of rocks biggest and best bands, meaning he has an insane catalogue of music to his name. As well as Taylors voice and lyrical abilities, Slipknot also has the best drummer in the world, Joey Jordison, and many more impressive artists. Slipknots look and onstage antics are legendary, be it punching each other or getting whiplash from head-banging, but their music more than stands on its own. I doubt anyone would argue how much Slipknot have brought to the genre, least of all the attention they bring. They jumped into the nu metal genre when there was a litany of bands doing the same thing but Slipknot were that much better at it. They reinvigorated the metal scene and earned the respect of everyone who's ever seen or listened to them. True rock icons of the modern era. Slipknot are an iconic band with more than 10 years worth of great music, here are some of their finest pieces; The Heretic Anthem, Spit It Out, Psychosocial, Duality, People = Shit, Sulfer, Before I Forget, My Plague, Vermilion, Left Behind, Snuff and Wait and Bleed.