Inside the world of Slipknot


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With the immediate impact created by their latest release, Iowa, the members of Slipknot have further ignited the world-wide sensation they first started back in 1999. Then, fans both near and far were amazed, astounded and overwhelmed by the musical intensity presented by the members of Slipknot. But with their sophomore release, these Midwestern rockers have taken things one step further along their heavey metal road of musical mayhem.

Hit Parader: What does the release of Iowa mean to you?
Corey Taylor: It means everything man. I've just made the best album of my life, and I love it because it represents us just doing our thing. Knowing that we made an album so great is what lets me sleep at night. I feel it all the way down in the pit of my stomach that we really did something that the kids will love, and that's the only thing in the world that matters.

IOWA ROCKS:
We've all got to hand it to Slipknot. Despite being the focus of so much publicity (both good and bad) over the last few years these Iowa based rockers have managed to not only maintain the level of fame they first enjoyed with their pltinum-selling debut album, but expanded upon it. With the success of their sophomore effort, Iowa, these nine masked marauders from the heartland have again proven to be the hard rock sensations of the 21st Century. And why do they feel like they've been able to keep their fast-growing following satiated? It's because, to paraphrase Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst, the Knot just know how to keep it real.
"Everything we srite about and everything we do is what we're experiencing," said Shawn "Clown" Crahan. "It's the world around us. It's not make beleive. It's weird situations that have happened to us. It's the corners people have pushed us into."

� Hit Parader Magazine
HP: Response to the album has been incredible. How gratifying has that reaction been for you?
CT: It's been a great feeling to know that the people we most wanted to please-the kids out there reading this-have responded that way. But I thik we knew they were gonna dig what we were doing as soon as we finished up the recording process. It was such a cathartic experience for us. Getting into the studio with 13 new songs and just tearing up was an incredible feeling. When we finished the last tour, we took two solid months to write, let our energy build, and then we just went there and let it rip.

HP: How have your masks evolved?
CT: They've changed to reflect the changes in our emotions. They're darker and more menacing than before, and that goes right along with the music on Iowa. We wanted the masks to really be extensions of both our personalities and of the new music. My goal was to have my mask be devoid of emotion. That way it's totally up to my movements and my voice to convey the way I feel.

HP: Do you find you're getting recognized in public now more than before?
CT: You know it's funny. I can go to shows in L.A. and just wander around and nobody bothers me. But sometimes on the street some kids will recognize my tattoos and they'll come over. The kids are incredible. They really do their homework. When they want to meet you, they'll do just about anything.

HP: With all the success you've had, is there anything special you've bought yourself to celebrate?
CT: Most of the money we make goes right back into the band, making sure that the show is the best it can be. The one indulgance I've allowed myself is buying a new Audi TT2. That thing can move! I've always been something of a lead foot, but I've really got to watch it in that thing. The other day I was pulled over for doing 102 in a 65 zone. If I'm not careful, I'll end up giving all the money I make to the highway patrol.

HP: How do you react to those who have criticized Slipknot for being a "negative influence"?
CT: I'll tell you exactly how I feel. I have an open bet with anyone who can engage me in an intelligent conversation and prove that we're a danger to anyone. If they can prove that what we're doing is dangerous in any way, I'll just get up and never make music again. That's a promise. But you know what? They can't do it! There's nothing dangerous about what we're doing. What's dangerous is the degree of ignorance that's out there. People who know nothing about us and nothing about what we're doing are the ones who protest the loudest. Figure it out, dude!

� Hit Parader Magazine. This article was written by Alan Armas. I take no credit for this article and some of it's contents have been edited.
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