This is a question that has plagued Slipknot almost since they formed, way back in 1995:
“Is Slipknot Satanic?”
The simple answer is no. Speaking as a fan of the band, and I know that they are not.
However, I can definitely see how people could look at this band that plays heavy metal and wears creepy masks and uses Satanic imagery and think they are Satanic.
So in this blog post I will seriously answer the question: Are Slipknot Satanic?
I will look at the possible reasons why people may think the band is Satanic, explain the history of Satanism and heavy metal and how they are sometimes linked.
If you are a parent and your child is a fan of the band and you’re wondering if you should be concerned, I really hope that this blog post gives you a better understanding of Slipknot and puts some fears to rest.
Satanism in music
Heavy metal music has long been associated with Satanism, sometimes for legitimate reason and sometimes based on assumptions and stereotypes.
It cannot be denied that some bands have incorporated Satanism into their bands’ culture, but this is generally a sub-genre of heavy metal and definitely does not apply to every single heavy metal band.
Quick History
Since the origins of Heavy Metal with Black Sabbath in the 1960s, many heavy metal bands have used a mixture of Satanism and Occult imagery and language in their music.
However, whether this has been just for style or an actual belief of the musicians, you would need to look at individual bands.
Bands like Bathory, Mayhem and Venom were all bands that crafted their style, music and message around Satanism, creating the Heavy Metal sub-genre known as ‘Black Metal’.
The term ‘Black Metal’ actually comes from the title of a Venom album, although nowadays this album is not considered a very good example of Black Metal.
However, the lead singer of Venom, Cronos, has stated that the band was not actually Satanist.
Despite this band essentially starting the Black Metal genre, they themselves do not believe in Satanism, and state that it was purely for entertainment purposes.
“I’ve always been interested in Satanism… but we’re entertainers, and we used subjects like Satanism and Paganism to entertain people, like horror movies do.
Listening to a Venom album is the same thing as watching an Evil Dead movie. I don’t go around murdering virgins in my spare time.
Cronos, quoted from an interview in The Guardian
It’s worth noting that Black Metal mostly began in Norwegian countries, which have a history of Christianity being imposed on them.
As Satanism is the polar opposite of Christianity, it makes sense that a people angry at Christianity being forced on them would head in the other direction as much as possible.
Black Metal bands became infamous in the 90s for a spate of arson attacks on Churches, for this very reason.
Of course there isn’t really any justification for an arson attack, but I think that it helps to explain some of how the Black Metal scene started.
Slipknot
Now, let’s discuss Slipknot.
Slipknot are an American band and America doesn’t have this same history of Christianity, so that element doesn’t affect Slipknot at all.
Satanism and anti-Christianity are not a part of the bands’ culture or message, because it’s not really something the band members feel very strongly about either way.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DIE?
For me, that answer is very simple: WHO GIVES A RAT’S ASS?
Corey Taylor from Rock Sound
Corey Taylor is an Atheist and has no significant feelings either way on religion, so while he may not be a Christian, but he’s definitely not a Satanist either.
So let’s discuss the more visual elements of the band and how they may lead to some confusion…
Shock Value and Memorable
The members of Slipknot all wear matching jumpsuits and face masks.
These masks change every few years, but each member of the band has a persona that their mask revolves around.
Shawn Crahan has a ‘Clown’ look, Joey Jordison used a Kabuki-style mask and Chris Fehn wore a mask with a very long, Pinnochio looking nose.
These masks and jumpsuits make for a very striking visual look, and some of the masks can look very gruesome and creepy.
Slipknot likes to focus on shock value and getting noticed. The idea is that first you get their attention, and then the music keeps people interested.
That is one of the reasons the band wears masks and jumpsuits: it does more to get noticed and stay in your memory than if they were dressed in casual clothes.
“[I said I was] going to tighten up every loose end, from the way we tie our shoes, to the way we play, to the way we look, to the way we act, to the way we talk, to the way we walk into a venue. I’m going to tighten it all up and it’s going to be noticed. And if it’s not noticed I’m going to kick the door in.”
Shawn Crahan (Clown), 2011
I think that is a very important thing to remember, because it also influences the bands music and visual style.
The band may be influenced by religious, Occult and Satanic imagery, but it is usually just for show.
The band also likes to play with expectations, and I think that’s why they like to play with some elements of Satanism, just because it makes for interesting visuals and lyrics.
So, for a short answer to the question:
No, Slipknot are not Satanic. However, they do use its imagery and play with its connotations to make their music more interesting.
But if you want a deeper answer, let’s carry on.
Heavy Metal Music
By itself, Heavy Metal is not Satanic.
Heavy Metal is about expressing emotions and playing music that fits those emotions.
Andrew O’Neill explains it well in his book, A History of Heavy Metal:
“Heavy Metal operates on a very primitive level. Heavy Metal is loud. It has a strong beat. It is emotionally strong – often agressive. Heavy Metal is visceral.”
Andrew O’Neill
While heavy metal lyrics are often about darker subjects, they are more likely to be about emotional and inner demons than actual satanic ones.
This is particularly true with Slipknot, whose lyrical themes explore issues of love, nihilism and mental health.
For example:
I still press your letters to my lips
Slipknot – Snuff
And cherish them in parts of me that savour every kiss
I couldn’t face a life without your lights
But all of that was ripped apart when you refused to fight
A very emotional, very sad and depressing song, but certainly not Satanic.
Even if this doesn’t represent the majority of Slipknots work, it does show that the band at leats has a more emotional side.
Suggestions
There have been suggestions of Slipknot being associated with Satanism in a few songs, which is a valid point.
Slipknot have definitely used Satanic language in some songs:
“If you’re 555, then I’m 666”
The Heretic Anthem
I think this is again the band playing with the symbols and language of Satanism.
I don’t think anyone listening to that song is seriously believes Corey Taylor is saying he’s the son of Satan.
Step inside, see the Devil in I,
Slipknot – The Devil In I
Too many times, we’ve let it come to this,
Step inside, see the Devil in I,
You’ll realise I’m not your Devil anymore.
This song may seen Satanic on first read, but a closer read of the lyrics reveals the Devil’ to be a metaphor for a persons inner demons and their struggles.
Message
The important thing about Slipknot is the main message they send out, which is one of support, friendship and family.
The lead singer, Corey Taylor explained in an interview.
“If you ask any Slipknot fan — like, a true Slipknot fan — what our message is, they will tell you, absolutely it’s about freedom.
It’s about helping each other, it’s about pulling us all together and giving us a voice that maybe they don’t have in their regular lives.”
Corey Taylor
This is why the band appeals to younger people, especially those who have their own struggles.
Slipknot’s music connects with young people by expressing feeling they may be having and lets them know ‘you are not alone’.
Iconography
Iowa
The album ‘Iowa’ probably has the strongest Satanism vibe, as it features a goat, a traditional element of Satanism and its rituals.
However, again I think this is the band playing with the visuals and the connotations we have of satanism, to make an interesting album cover.
Pentagram
This is the image that i think leads people to connect Slipknot and Satanism. the Pentagram.
But actually, is it?
A Pentagram is a 5-pointed star, and is certainly well-known for being an element of Satanism, where it is known the the Sigil of Baphomet.
But this Slipknot logo uses a 9-pointed star, which is an Enneagram.
This symbol is most associated with the Baháʼí faith, which is a modern religion, teaching the unity of all people.
Now, I don’t think Slipknot wanted this symbol to be associated with either of these religions.
I think they just wanted a cool symbol and a way to show that the band had 9 members at the time the logo was created.
Wrap Up
Slipknot are a Heavy metal band that like to stand out and get ntoiced.
Because of this, they often use language and imagery of the occult and Satanism, as well as other sources.
However, the band does not stand for Satanistic ideals, not do they try to push their fans towards that religion. The band is generally about tolerance, support and sees their fans as a family.
There are a lot of steryotypers about Heavy Metal and they perpetuate these myths about the band members and the music they create.
Any band has the capacity to be moral or not. To show how this can happen, I have also written a blog post about Christian bands, who would normally be seen as honourable and good, who actually did some horrible thing.
