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Artist of the Month:

Slipknot

Published October 7, 2008

Hardcore heavy metal band Slipknot has managed to survive the slings and arrows of unfounded criticism to do a few things many bands have not been able to accomplish. They've stayed true to their roots, they've grown with their sound, and they are now releasing their fourth full-length album, All Hope Is Gone.

The band Slipknot.

"When we were starting out, we had all these strikes against us," says singer Corey Taylor. "We were from Iowa, there were nine of us, we wore masks, we wore coveralls, we played metal. Hard metal." The band's makeup is unusual for its size and in that band members are often referred to by numbers. Slipknot consists of DJ Sid Wilson (0), Joey Jordison (drums, 1), Paul Gray (2), Chris Fehn (percussion, 3), James Root (4), Craig Jones (sampler, 5), M. Shawn Crahan (percussion, 6), Mick Thomson (guitar, 7), and Corey Taylor (8).

But even with the masks, number, and size of the band, Slipknot has developed a huge fan following. All of their first three albums sold Platinum or better, and the new album that released August 26 is almost certain to follow the same path. All Hope Is Gone is the first album on which contributions came from almost every band member. "I think everyone just went in with an open mind," says Gray. "We would always listen to everyone's ideas, and if they worked, they worked, if they didn't, they didn't."

Taylor chimes in, "I'm looking forward to the expressions on people's faces when they hear the new record. There's very, very heavy stuff on this album, and it's gonna blow people's minds. But I'm also excited for them to see the stuff that's different on this album, the more experimental music. No one's going to expect it."

All Hope Is Gone released August 26 on Roadrunner Records and is in stores now. And check for Slipknot videos on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace.