Editing Slipknot (band) (section)

===''Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.'' and beginnings (1995–1998)===
{{Main|Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.{{!}}Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.}}
Much of the band's early development was retrospectively attributed to late-night planning sessions between Gray, Crahan and Jordison at a [[Sinclair Oil Corporation|Sinclair]] gas station where Jordison worked nights. It was there, in late 1995, that Jordison suggested changing the band name to Slipknot after their song of the same name.<ref name="Arnopp42">{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|pp=42–43}}</ref> In December, Slipknot began recording material at ''SR Audio'', a studio in the band's hometown.<ref name="McIver19">{{Harvnb|McIver|2003|pp=19–21}}</ref> As they didn't have a recording contract, the band self-financed the project, the costs of which came to an estimated $40,000.<ref name="Arnopp45">{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|pp=45–47}}</ref> In February 1996, guitarist Donnie Steele, a Christian, left Slipknot after discussions regarding the band's lyrics with the producer, Sean McMahon. Jordison said of Steele's departure: "(he) was having these God talks, when we were supposed to be working... We were prepared to keep him on, but he didn't want to stay."<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0UMRdh-eb0wC&pg=PT44|page=50|author=Jasob Arnopp|publisher=Random House|date=May 2011|title= Slipknot: Inside the Sickness, Behind the Masks|isbn=9781446458341}}</ref> Steele himself has said: "I left for a few reasons...I had a lot on my mind spiritually."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mfkr1.com/web/2010-donnie-steele-interview/|title=Donnie Steele Interview|work=mfkr1.com|date=2010|author=David Pritt|access-date=November 30, 2018|archive-date=November 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130113005/http://mfkr1.com/web/2010-donnie-steele-interview/|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]] stages of their project at ''SR Audio'', [[Craig Jones (musician)|Craig Jones]] was recruited as Steele's replacement on guitar.<ref name="Arnopp50">{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|pp=50–51}}</ref> However, throughout their time in the studio, the band were adding [[Sampling (music)|samples]] to their recordings but could not produce these sounds live. Subsequently, Jones became the band's sampler and [[Mick Thomson]] was brought in as the replacement guitarist.<ref name="Arnopp57">{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|p=57}}</ref> After a complicated time with mixing and [[Audio mastering|mastering]], the band self-released ''[[Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.]]'' on [[Halloween]], October 31, 1996.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |last = Huey |first = Steve |title = Slipknot biography |website=allmusic |url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p41591|pure_url=yes}} |access-date = December 13, 2007 }}</ref>

Distribution for the demo was initially left to the band and their producer Sean McMahon, before it was handed over to the distribution company [[-ismist Recordings|{{nowrap|-ismist}} Recordings]] in early 1997.<ref name="McIver38-41">{{Harvnb|McIver|2003|pp=38–41}}</ref> Slipknot received a small amount of airplay on local radio stations off the back of the demo. However, it did not lead to any kind of interest from record labels, so the band returned to the studio to develop new material.<ref name="McIver38-41"/> It was at this time that the band sought more melodic vocals for their music. As a result, [[Corey Taylor]] was recruited from fellow Des Moines band [[Stone Sour]]; this moved Colsefni to backing vocals and percussion.<ref name="Arnopp71">{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|pp=71–74}}</ref> While working in the studio, Slipknot continued to do local shows, during one of which in September 1997, Colsefni announced on stage that he was leaving the band.<ref name="Arnopp77">{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|p=77}}</ref> The gap on percussion was filled by Greg Welts, who was affectionately known as "Cuddles".<ref name="McIver 2003 47">{{Harvnb|McIver|2003|p=47}}</ref> In early 1998, Slipknot produced a second demo featuring five tracks exclusively for record labels.<ref name="Arnopp83">{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|p=83}}</ref> The band began to receive much attention from record labels, and in February 1998, producer [[Ross Robinson]] offered to produce their debut album after attending rehearsals in Des Moines.<ref name="Arnopp84">{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|pp=84–90}}</ref> Soon after, DJ [[Sid Wilson]] was recruited as the band's ninth member after showing great interest and impressing band members.<ref name="Arnopp91">{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|p=91}}</ref> In late June, Slipknot received a $500,000, seven-album deal, from [[Roadrunner Records]]; the band signed the deal publicly on July 8, 1998.<ref name="McIver54">{{Harvnb|McIver|2003|p=54}}</ref> Two days prior to this, Welts was fired from the band, something which Slipknot refuse to comment on.<ref name="McIver54"/> Welts was replaced by Brandon Darner, who departed from the band shortly after joining.