Formed in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1995, Slipknot is an American heavy metal band established by percussionist Shawn Crahan, drummer Joey Jordison, and bassist Paul Gray. Through its initial years, the band underwent several member changes, eventually solidifying a nine-member lineup for over a decade, including Crahan, Jordison, Gray, Craig Jones, Mick Thomson, Corey Taylor, Sid Wilson, Chris Fehn, and Jim Root. Following Gray's passing on May 24, 2010, Donnie Steele filled in as the bassist from 2011 to 2014. Jordison parted ways with the band in December 2013, and during the recording of .5: The Gray Chapter, Steele also departed. Slipknot then welcomed Alessandro Venturella on bass and Jay Weinberg on drums. As of December 2013, Crahan remains the sole founding member in the current lineup. Fehn left the band in March 2019 before the creation of We Are Not Your Kind, with Michael Pfaff stepping in as his replacement. The band underwent more changes, parting with Jones and Weinberg in 2023.

Renowned for its distinctive image, intense music style, and dynamic, often chaotic live performances, Slipknot shot to fame with their self-titled debut album in 1999. Their 2001 album, Iowa, though darker, increased their popularity. After pausing briefly, the band came back in 2004 with Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses), followed by another hiatus and then a return in 2008 with All Hope Is Gone, which topped the US Billboard 200 chart. Post another extended break, Slipknot released their fifth studio album, .5: The Gray Chapter, in 2014, followed by We Are Not Your Kind in 2019, and The End, So Far in 2022. Alongside their studio albums, Slipknot has produced two live albums, 9.0: Live and Day of the Gusano: Live in Mexico, a compilation album, Antennas to Hell, and five live DVDs. The band boasts over 30 million record sales globally, including more than 12 million in the United States.