For over 20 years, Slipknot have carried the torch for heavy metal — bringing dark, violent music to the mainstream in a way never before seen. Using a platoon of nine band members, the Iowa crew has been able to unleash an extremely dynamic range of songs: from groovy and catchy to truly demented and crushing. They've built up a sizable discography — and are one of the most popular and influential heavy acts ever — so choosing their single greatest song is no easy task, which is why we asked for your help. So what is their best song? See your picks below.
5. "Wait and Bleed"
Let's clear up one misconception right off the bat: There is absolutely nothing wrong with a metal song being extremely catchy, and it's part of what has makes "Wait and Bleed" one of Slipknot's most enduring tracks. The lead single from their self-titled 1999 debut was the first time the world at large was introduced to Corey Taylor's vocals — and to the fact that he wasn't just able to unleash a harsh guttural style, but he could also truly sing. There's a hell of a groove at work here, and a killer hook that immediately gets stuck in your brain.
4. "Disasterpiece"
Slipknot know how to build tension in a song, and "Disasterpiece" is one of their best examples of this skill — sounding like a combustion engine about to explode as the song continues to ramp up speed and power through its entire run. Taylor matches this manic energy perfectly, kicking off his lyrics with "I want to slit your throat and fuck the wound," which adds an immediate and chilling sense of violence to the song's full-throttle assault.
3. "People=Shit"
"People=Shit," from 2001's Iowa, served as a hell of a re-establishment of the band's outlook and mission, annihilating any questions of whether the band might dial down the intensity on their sophomore album. The battle cry of "people equal shit" is ready made for crowd chant-alongs, and the track features some especially claustrophobic drumming by Joey Jordison, which leads to a massive breakdown. It's a crushing way to kick off an album that many consider to be Slipknot's best.
2. "Snuff"
For the fifth single from their 2008 album All Hope Is Gone, Slipknot pressed pause on their all-out sonic assault and delivered the full-on power ballad "Snuff." The impassioned song tells the age-old story of a relationship gone wrong, and its accompanying dramatic short film stars Taylor as a lovelorn protagonist in the throes of heartbreak. Fans clearly connected with "Snuff," which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart while its video has amassed nearly 89 million views on YouTube so far.
1. "Surfacing"
Obviously, Slipknot has nine members, and when they're able to put everybody's talents to use on a single track, it's truly something to behold. "Surfacing," from their self-titled debut, is one of the band's best songs due, in large part, to each member having a place to shine — be it the DJ's noisy scratching morphing with the guitar feedback, the shifting riffs, percussive assault. It's a heavy-ass song that truly illustrates the full terrifying capacity of the 'Knot.
