Editing Slipknot (band) (section)

==Image and identities==
The band is known for its attention-grabbing image; the members perform wearing unique, individual facemasks and matching uniforms—typically [[jumpsuit]]s—while each member is typically assigned and referred to by number based on their role in the band (#0 through #8), although the latter practice has diminished following the death of Paul Gray.<ref name="AMG"/>
[[File:Slipknot @ Claremont Showgrounds.jpg|left|thumb|256x256px|[[Shawn Crahan]] and [[Joey Jordison]] wearing variations of their masks while performing in 2012]]
The band has said the idea of wearing masks stemmed from a clown mask that Crahan took to rehearsals when the band first started. Crahan later became known for his clown masks, adopting the pseudonym "Clown".<ref name="Arnopp40"/> The concept developed; by late 1997, the band decided every band member would wear a unique mask and matching jumpsuit.<ref>{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|pp=54–55}}</ref> Taylor said in 2002, "it's our way of becoming more intimate with the music. It's a way for us to become unconscious of who we are and what we do outside of music. It's a way for us to kind of crawl inside it and be able to use it."<ref name="Coreyquote">{{cite news |last = Soghomonian |first = Talia |title = Interview with Corey Taylor of Slipknot |publisher = NYRock |year = 2002 |url = http://www.nyrock.com/interviews/2002/slipknot_int2.asp |access-date = December 21, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080222000134/http://www.nyrock.com/interviews/2002/slipknot_int2.asp |archive-date = February 22, 2008 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The concept of wearing matching jumpsuits has been described as a response to commercialism in the music industry and led to the idea of assigning the band members numerical aliases. According to Taylor, "Originally, we were just going to wear the jumpsuits ... we figured we might as well take that further and number ourselves ... We were basically saying, 'Hey, we're a product!'".<ref>{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|p=80}}</ref>

During their careers, the members of Slipknot have developed their images, updating their uniforms and each member's mask upon the release of each album.<ref name="IowaMasks">{{cite news |work=Blabbermouth.net |title = News Archive May 20, 2001 |date = May 20, 2001 |url = https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/archive-news-may-20-2001/ |access-date = February 8, 2022}}</ref><ref name="NewMasks"/> The appearance and style of the masks do not usually differ significantly between albums; members typically maintain the established theme of their mask while adding new elements. Jordison, in an interview in 2004, said the masks are updated to show growth within each individual.<ref name="MaskInterview">{{cite video |people = Chris Fehn, Joey Jordison, Corey Taylor |title = Slipknot – Ahoy Netherlands Interview |medium = Video |time = 0:44 |publisher=The Box |date = 2004}}</ref> Slipknot's members have worn special masks for specific occasions, most notably for the music video and live performances of "Vermilion" in 2004 and 2005 when they wore [[life mask]]s made from casts of their own faces.<ref>{{cite video|people=Slipknot |title=Vermilion Music Video |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/video/Slipknot--Vermilion-2801.aspx |publisher=Roadrunner Records |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104045206/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/video/Slipknot--Vermilion-2801.aspx |archive-date=January 4, 2012 }}</ref> In 2008, the band wore a set of large masks titled "purgatory masks" during photograph shoots before the release of ''All Hope Is Gone''; in the music video for "Psychosocial" they are seen burning them.<ref>{{Cite video |title = Kerrang! Podcast: Slipknot exclusive! |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erb5cxX5NoM |medium = video |work=Kerrang! |date = July 1, 2008}}</ref> Shortly after its inception, Slipknot's masks were homemade, but since 2000 they have been custom-made by special effect artist and musician [[Screaming Mad George]].<ref name="MaskInterview2">{{cite video |title = Slipknot – Chris and Paul – Boogie TV Interview 2004 |medium = Video |publisher=Boogie TV |date = 2004}}</ref>

The band's image has been the subject of much criticism and controversy, with critics generally accusing it of being a sales gimmick.<ref name="McIver32">{{Harvnb|McIver|2003|p=32}}</ref> The band's members object to these claims; according to them the masks are used to divert attention from themselves and put it on the music.<ref name="LT">{{cite video |date = 2001 |title = Loud Times Video Magazine – Vol. 3 |medium = DVD |time=6:15 in Slipknot's interview. |publisher=Quantum Leap}}</ref> Several band members have said wearing the masks helps to maintain privacy in their personal lives. During an interview in 2005, percussionist Fehn said the masks were a "blessing" because they meant the members are not recognized in public.<ref>{{cite news |work = Blabbermouth.net |title = Slipknot's Chris Fehn: 'It's A Blessing That We Don't Get Recognized' |date = May 25, 2005 |url = https://production.blabbermouth.net/news/slipknot-s-chris-fehn-it-s-a-blessing-that-we-don-t-get-recognized/ |access-date = February 8, 2022 |archive-date = February 8, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220208205253/https://production.blabbermouth.net/news/slipknot-s-chris-fehn-it-s-a-blessing-that-we-don-t-get-recognized/ |url-status = dead }}</ref>

In 2012, Slipknot released an app for iOS and Android called ''Slipknot: Wear the Mask'', which invites fans to construct their own masks, defining the kind of Slipknot fans they are.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/slipknot-app-lets-fans-wear-the-mask-168177/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726154321/http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/blogs/gear-up/slipknot-app-lets-fans-wear-the-mask-20120724 |date=July 24, 2012|access-date=February 8, 2022|archive-date=July 26, 2012 |title=Slipknot App Lets Fans 'Wear the Mask'|first=Joe|last=Pinsker|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>

The band's logo, the [[nonagram]], was created by the band's members early on.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/slipknot-best-band-logos/|title=Slipknot – Best Band Logos|website=Loudwire|date=August 6, 2012 |access-date=April 4, 2017}}</ref>