The Slipknot logo is a nine-point star, also called the Nonagram. The star was created by the band members from scratch, no other source but imagination was used.
Slipknot is an American heavy metal band known for their unusual live performances, and of course, their intense music. Formed in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1995, the group was originally the brainchild of percussionist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray.
Slipknot is not just another metal band, but a whole cultural phenomenon, with their masks, visuals, and uncompromising sound leaving a lasting impact on the music world. Despite personal and professional challenges, they’ve remained committed to pushing the boundaries of heavy music while staying true to the raw energy and emotional depth that made them iconic in the first place.
The band’s early days were defined by experimentation and a relentless work ethic. Their debut demo, Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat., released in 1996, was a raw, exploratory record that hinted at the band’s future potential but didn’t yet crystallize their signature style. That changed when vocalist Corey Taylor joined the group, completing what would become their core lineup.
Slipknot’s visual aesthetic was as notable as their music. Each member adopted a numbered identity and wore elaborate masks, which added a theatrical element to their performances and created an aura of mystery. Their lineup, which sometimes featured up to nine members, included a mix of percussionists, turntablists, and guitarists, allowing them to craft a dense, layered sound. The masks also became symbols of the band’s unity and their rejection of celebrity culture, focusing attention on their collective creativity rather than individual fame.
In recent years, Slipknot has continued to thrive. Their 2019 album We Are Not Your Kind debuted at number one in several countries, showcasing their enduring relevance and creativity. Known for their ability to adapt while maintaining their signature intensity, Slipknot remains a major force in the metal genre, their fanbase as dedicated as ever.
What is Slipknot?
Slipknot is the name of a popular heavy-metal band from the United States, which was created in 1995. Today the band consists of Shawn Crahan, Craig Jones, Mick Thompson, Corey Taylor, Sid Wilson, Jim Root, Jay Weinberg, Michael Pfaff, and Alessandro Venturella. Since its foundation, Slipknot has released six studio albums.
The Nonagram symbolizes the unity between the band’s members. The number of points equals the number of musicians. Slipknot explained that the nine-point star is in no way a Satan symbol, it is a symbol of the “battle with the fake world”. The first version of the Nonagram appeared around 1995, while the second one was introduced in 2014.
The badge, created for the famous band in 2014, is based on the lettering, executed in a custom hand-written font with the bold black title case characters placed not in a very straight horizontal line. The bars of the letters feature uneven contours, which make them look as if they were written with a black gel pen, in many nervous strokes.
On the cover of the pre-release of the album 5. The Gray Chapter, the nonagram looked different from the one featured on the previous covers. It was the first time when the new color scheme including black and red was introduced. The regular cover of the 2014 album was built around a depiction of a skeleton, with the name of the band in red above, while the name of the album was given in white and placed below.
The custom font designed for the Slipknot wordmark is highly original. It gives a hint about the type of music the band plays. The typeface would fit as perfectly for the name of a horror movie.
Red, the color of blood, and black create a dark and sinister contrast.