The definitive history of every Slipknot mask

Vol.3: (The Subliminal Verses) (2004)

After time out post-Iowa to explore different musical avenues (including Stone Sour, Murderdolls and Dirty Little Rabbits), Slipknot reconvened for 2004's superb Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses

The issues that had haunted the band hadn't cleared away and this was reflected in the still grotesque, dark look the band wore, albeit with their masks decidedly less punishing as they had been during the Iowa run. 

Metal Hammer line break

Corey Taylor 

Slipknot masks

(Image credit: Mick Hutson/Redferns)

The dreadlocks were gone by Vol.3, replaced by multicoloured hair, but the stitched up, skinless face remained as Taylor battled personal demons behind the mask. “I was pretty much drunk from the beginning of Iowa until three months into recording Volume 3.”


Mick Thomson

Mick Thompson Slipknot Mask 2004

(Image credit: SGranitz/WireImage)

The Vol. 3 version of Thomson’s mask was a relatively simple evolution of the first mask that had served him for the first two album cycles. “If you know who you are, you don’t need change. I think I pretty much nailed it with this one for being able to get across how I am,” he said.


Jim Root

Jim Root Slipknot Mask 2004

(Image credit: Mick Hutson/Redferns)

Again, Root’s mask does not change much. His is still a sinister jester’s face but by Vol.3 the diamonds around the eyes are darker and the face paler.


Craig Jones 

Craig Jones Slipknot Mask 2004

(Image credit: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage)

By Vol. 3, Jones’s mask is slightly bigger and the nails protruding from his head are slightly longer, but the general look remains the same: a bondage Pinhead.


Sid Wilson

Sid Wilson Slipknot Mask 2004

(Image credit: Mick Hutson/Redferns)

For Vol.3, Wilson’s mask changed again and became an out and out skull, a traditional skeleton with blackened nose and filthy teeth.


Shawn Crahan

Shawn 'Clown' Crahan Slipknot Mask 2004

(Image credit: Rob Verhosrt/Redferns)

Like some kind of horrific post-operative patient, Crahan’s Vol. 3 Clown mask was a mass of bloody bandages wrapped around his face, featuring a macabre red nose out front. He ripped the top from it after a while to let his hair hang out, making him look all the more like a serial killer.


Chris Fehn

Chris Fehn Slipknot Mask 2004

(Image credit: Mick Hutson/Redferns)

A similar mask to his first two, Fehn’s Vol.3 mask essentially just changed colour – starting to rust then eventually turning red – but remained broadly the same: the long nose and zipper mouth.


Paul Gray 

Paul Gray Slipknot Mask 2004

(Image credit: Mick Hutson/Redferns)

The pig face had gone by Vol. 3 and was replaced by a more human, Hannibal Lecter style mask, with nails acting as a grill across the mouthpiece. Also included a bullet hole because why not?


Joey Jordison

Joey Jordison Slipknot Mask 2004

(Image credit: Mick Hutson/Redferns)

Jordison’s Kabuki mask remained relatively unchanged, but was updated with various different designs and claw slashes for Vol.3. “It’s very difficult to play in the masks sometimes,” he said. “You feel like you’re locked in hell.”

Tom Bryant

Tom Bryant is The Guardian's deputy digital editor. The author of The True Lives Of My Chemical Romance: The Definitive Biography, he has written for Kerrang!, Q, MOJO, The Guardian, the Daily Mail, The Mirror, the BBC, Huck magazine, the londonpaper and Debrett's - during the course of which he has been attacked by the Red Hot Chili Peppers' bass player and accused of starting a riot with The Prodigy. Though not when writing for Debrett's.