Band: Slipknot

One of the most polarising metal acts to have emerged for many years, Slipknot splits opinion between those who think they are metal and those who think they are not more effectively than almost any other act. Their aggressive and intense style of nu-metal is far more inventive, edgy and extreme than that of most others, with most members having a solid grounding in more old-school styles. The group's imagery -- stylised frightmasks and boilersuits -- is possibly even bigger than they are but Slipknot must be given credit for maintaining both this and the consistency of their music as other acts in the same field change and fade from view.

After the third album there was talk of them disbanding as several members concentrated on other projects, but Slipknot has continued much the same as before, though with a somewhat more melodic sound creeping in on All Hope is Gone.