Unmasked and Unfiltered: Rare Slipknot Soundcheck Footage from 2000 Surfaces Online
Newly discovered footage of Slipknot performing without their masks and iconic costumes has surfaced online, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of the band during their early years. The clip, recorded on January 1, 2000, captures Corey Taylor and the rest of the band sound-checking for their New Year’s Day hometown show at Super Toad in Des Moines, Iowa.
A Rare Look at Slipknot Before the Chaos
The footage was unearthed and shared by @slipknotvideos_, an Instagram account dedicated to preserving the band’s history. Their post, featuring the band performing “Liberate” without their trademark red boiler suits and masks, quickly gained attention among Slipknot fans worldwide.
“The new millennium began with Slipknot performing in Des Moines at the Super Toad,” reads the caption accompanying the clip. “The performance took place exactly on January 1, 2000. In addition to a spectacular complete recording of the show, the soundcheck was also recorded.” (Translated from Portuguese via Google Translate.)
This clip is particularly significant as Slipknot has built their entire identity around anonymity and visual theatrics. Seeing them without masks, stripped down to just their instruments and raw energy, provides a fascinating contrast to their usual larger-than-life stage persona.
Slipknot’s Evolution and Their 25th Anniversary Tour
The release of this rare footage coincides with Slipknot’s ongoing 25th-anniversary tour, which is set to resume next month in Australia. The tour focuses exclusively on material from their 1999 self-titled debut album, a record that defined the nu-metal era and launched the band into mainstream success.
In a recent interview with NME, percussionist Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan reflected on revisiting the debut album during the tour:
“Revisiting the debut album reminds me of what it felt like in the beginning. I was a bit of a naysayer about the idea at first, but the fact that we’ve been around this long and can now walk into these venues to play our first album, without having to put all the hits into it, has been mind-blowing.”
A Look Back at Slipknot’s 2000 New Year’s Day Show
Slipknot’s New Year’s Day gig at Super Toad was a special moment in the band’s history. At the time, they were riding the success of their self-titled debut, which had been released just months earlier in June 1999. Their blend of aggressive riffs, chaotic percussion, and masked personas made them a rising force in heavy metal.
Fans who attended the Super Toad show recall an intense and unforgettable performance, with Slipknot delivering the kind of raw, unfiltered energy that would soon make them one of the biggest metal bands in the world. Seeing the soundcheck footage from that night adds a new layer of nostalgia, giving longtime fans a look at the band before they took the stage in full gear.
Why This Footage Matters to Slipknot Fans
Slipknot has always been known for their mystique and theatricality, making moments like this all the more special. Over the years, only a handful of unmasked performances have surfaced, often from soundchecks or behind-the-scenes recordings.
For fans, seeing Corey Taylor, Jim Root, Joey Jordison (RIP), and the rest of the band in their early days—before they became household names—evokes a sense of nostalgia. It’s a reminder of how far they’ve come since their local Des Moines days, grinding their way to the top of the metal scene.
Slipknot’s Lasting Impact and the Future
As Slipknot continues celebrating 25 years of chaos, it’s clear that their legacy remains as strong as ever. With a dedicated fanbase, electrifying live shows, and a deep catalog of heavy anthems, they’ve cemented their place in metal history.
The resurfacing of this 2000 soundcheck footage is a perfect time capsule, showing a young, hungry band on the brink of stardom. It serves as a reminder of the passion, intensity, and raw energy that has defined Slipknot from day one.
Final Thoughts
For both die-hard Maggots (Slipknot fans) and newer listeners, this footage is a must-watch. It’s a glimpse into Slipknot’s past, a time when they were still proving themselves to the world. Now, 25 years later, they continue to dominate stages across the globe.
With their anniversary tour in full swing and new material rumored to be on the way, Slipknot remains as unpredictable as ever. Whether masked or unmasked, their impact on heavy metal is undeniable.
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