In the world of heavy metal, few albums have left as indelible a mark as Slipknot’s self-titled debut. Released on June 29, 1999, via Roadrunner Records, Slipknot exploded onto the scene like a Molotov cocktail, blending aggressive nu-metal riffs, industrial percussion, and raw, unfiltered emotion to redefine the genre for a new generation. Now triple platinum and a certified classic, the album’s chaotic energy propelled the nine masked misfits from Des Moines, Iowa, into global stardom. To honor this milestone, the band has unleashed Slipknot (25th Anniversary Edition), a deluxe reissue packed with rarities, alongside the long-awaited official video for the intense track “Scissors.”
The 25th anniversary edition isn’t just a remaster—it’s a deep dive into the band’s formative years. Available now in stores, digitally, and in limited physical formats (including a blood-splattered 6LP box set that sold out in seconds upon its initial drop via the band’s secret site), the collection features 59 recordings. This includes the original album tracklist, legendary Indigo Ranch demos, alternate mixes, and live versions—40 of which are unreleased. Highlights teased prior to the full release include haunting demos of “Prosthetics” and “Me Inside,” offering fans a raw glimpse into the creative storm that birthed these anthems. Beyond the studio material, the set captures Slipknot’s explosive early live energy, with full sets from a 1999 show in Hartford, CT—pure underground chaos—and a 2000 UK festival performance that showcased their ability to dominate massive stages.
But the real surprise accompanying the reissue is the official music video for “Scissors,” now streaming on the band’s YouTube channel. Originally a bonus feature on the DVD version of Welcome to Our Neighborhood, Pt. 1 (released November 18, 2003), the track itself is a standout from the debut album. Clocking in at over eight minutes, “Scissors” is a sprawling epic of frustration and catharsis, with Corey Taylor’s vocals teetering on the edge of breakdown amid pounding drums and dissonant guitars. As AllMusic once noted, Taylor “sounds like he’s about to burst into tears,” capturing the song’s themes of personal turmoil and rage against one’s roots—lyrics that lambast fathers, hometowns, and the suffocating grip of despair.
The newly minted official video, sourced from the band’s personal archives, is a gritty time capsule of Slipknot’s raw beginnings. It weaves together electrifying footage from their appearance at Ozzfest 1999—a pivotal moment where the band first unleashed their masked mayhem on a national stage— with intimate home videos shot by the members themselves in their hometown of Des Moines, Iowa. Picture the nine-piece collective in their element: anonymous figures in coveralls and masks, banging out rhythms in dingy basements and abandoned warehouses, the stark Midwestern landscape underscoring their outsider ethos. The sharply edited visuals, now available in HD, amplify the track’s intensity, blending high-energy live clips of headbanging crowds and mosh pits with candid, lo-fi moments that humanize the monsters behind the masks.
This release comes amid a year of anniversary festivities for Slipknot. The band marked the occasion with a series of special performances drawing heavily from the debut album, including an epic homecoming show at Knotfest Iowa in Des Moines. Fans have been clamoring for more archival material, and Slipknot (25th Anniversary Edition) delivers, immortalizing the path from fledgling act to cultural juggernaut. As the Iowa nine continue to evolve—recently navigating lineup changes while honoring fallen members like Paul Gray and Joey Jordison—this reissue serves as a reminder of their unyielding impact.
For die-hard Maggots (Slipknot’s devoted fanbase), the 25th anniversary edition is more than nostalgia; it’s a testament to the album’s revolutionary spirit. Stream or grab Slipknot (25th Anniversary Edition) now via Roadrunner Records, and dive into the “Scissors” video to relive the chaos that started it all. In a genre often accused of stagnation, Slipknot remains the sharpest blade.
