|
Things have happened fast for Slipknot. Just a year ago, they were struggling for recognition.Today they're among new metal's biggest stars. But it's all happened for a reason-the kind of support from both fans and the music industry that most young groups can only dream about. With producer and I Am Records honcho Ross Robinson proudly looking on, the members of Slipknot headed out on stage in Holmdel, New Jersey and, they nearly stole the day. Robinson, who had signed the band earlier that year, beamed as percussionist Chris Fehn and Shawn Crahan left their propane tanks and beer kegs and began jostling about the stage, moshing and roughhousing. "I love that integrity," explained Robinson, "That's real, pure, absolutely uncompromised music." Roadrunner, which distributes Robinson's I Am imprint was pleasantly surprised when Slipknot's self-titled debut not only debuted at the top of Billboar's Heatseekers chart, but also had the distinction of selling over 40,000 records in its first week of release. Certified gold earlier this year, it recently sped past platinum sales status-with no apparent in sight. More than a year after its debut release, Slipknot rules the Roadrunner roost. Commercial rock radio stations, after no longer being able to ignore the band's growing popularity. Despite the success of their debut album, Jordison admits the band is not entirely happy with the results-a fact they hope to rectify on their second disc, shich is now scheduled for a late year release. "Our first album does not properly represent what we do live," he says. "Our live show is unlike anything that is going on out there," adds Crahan. "We've maintained an excellent practice schedule for the past three years," he says. "Everybody's on thime; Everybody is always there and we always practice as a unit. Without even one person, something is really, really missing." Still a band with nine diverse personalities must experience the occasional conlflict. Not so, contends Jordison. "We're all equally valuable," he says. "This band was an evolution; Four years of picking the right people, the right songs, the right way to play, the right thinking patterns, and the right mathematical equations that make our band what it is. It is alot harder than people think it is. This band has so many different tastes and we're trying to expose our fans to them. A lot of so-called dark metal kids come to our shows, but so do the Korn kids who never heard blistering-fast, double bass drums, extreme dark metal. We're trying to open kids up these types of metal." The band's intent on avoiding the pitfalls of Rock Stardom are legendary within their inner-circle, although some would argue that the members of Slipknot look like they MUST be on something stronger than good, clean air when they perform live. "People ask us 'what kind of drug are you on, because we want some,'" laughs Jordison. "We tell 'em, we don't do drugs and that's our natural energy. After living in Des Moines for our entire lives, we have to let the beast out on stage. After being pent-up for so long, we have some things to work out." Slipknot has already begun work on its next album, which Jordison says will be heavier and more disjointed. Although Ross Robinson will once again be producing, the record will not be recorded at Indigo Ranch. "We barely touched upon the things we can do as a band. There will be more blast beats and more grinding riffs on the next album. We're also going to incorporate more drum & bass and jungle elements, along with the metal elements. We already have three or four songs and four or five structures for the next album, so it is going to be pretty cool. We're just taking the steps to make this band the best it can be. So we have to come up with as many ideas as possible while on the road." Maybe we'll shun some people and maybe we'll acquire new fans. It's a natural progression; we're not going to repeat the first record, but I think that all of Slipknot's fans will embrace it." � Hit parader Magazine. The article was written by Vincent Cecolini. I take no credit for this article and some material has been edited. |