Slipknot Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)

Few bands command a stage or a studio like Slipknot. Their discography is a masterclass in controlled chaos and brutal honesty.

Trying to create a definitive list of Slipknot albums ranked is a task that sparks endless debate among fans. Each record captures a different era, a different state of mind.

Here, we’re looking at their studio albums through the lens of the die-hard fans. We’ve analyzed community sentiment to see which releases resonate the most.

Later, we’ll see how current data ranks what might be the best Slipknot albums by popularity.

Ranking Slipknot's albums: The fan favorites

Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.

We're starting with the most beloved.

1. Slipknot (1999)

Slipknot's self-titled debut album was a seismic event in heavy music. Released in 1999, it introduced the world to their raw, percussion-heavy, and aggressive sound.

Produced by Ross Robinson, the album was designed to capture the band's intense live energy. The recording sessions were famously chaotic, which translated into a visceral and authentic final product.

The album was a massive critical and commercial success. It brought the band a huge surge in popularity and is now certified triple platinum in the United States, making it their best-selling album.

Key tracks:

• Wait and Bleed
• Eyeless

It's no surprise that the debut album holds the top spot for most fans. This record wasn't just an album; it was a statement.

For many, this is the purest distillation of Slipknot's identity. It established the nine-member force of nature and set a benchmark for heavy music that still stands today.

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2. Iowa (2001)

Released in 2001, Iowa is widely considered Slipknot's heaviest and darkest album. The band was dealing with immense pressure following their debut's success, and that internal conflict fueled the record's creation.

The title is a direct reference to their home state, which they credit as a major source of inspiration and energy. The album's development was fraught with tension, a period the members later described as the bleakest time in their career.

Despite the difficult process, Iowa was a huge success. It premiered in the top ten in nine countries and includes some of the band's most iconic and brutal tracks.

Key tracks:

• People = Shit
• The Heretic Anthem

Securing the second spot, Iowa is legendary among the fanbase for its uncompromising ferocity. It took the foundation of the debut and pushed every element to its most extreme conclusion.

Fans often point to this album as the moment Slipknot proved they were not a gimmick. It’s a pure, unfiltered expression of rage and despair that has never been replicated.

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3. All Hope Is Gone (2008)

All Hope Is Gone, released in 2008, is seen as one of the band's most eclectic-sounding records. It blends the brutal, death metal-influenced edge of their early work with more melodic and experimental tracks.

Recording began in the band's home state of Iowa, a deliberate choice to avoid the distractions of Los Angeles. The album features a wider range of styles, from the aggressive "Gematria (The Killing Name)" to the tragic sentiment of "Snuff."

This album was a significant milestone, becoming the first Slipknot record to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. It was also the final studio album to feature the classic lineup with Paul Gray and Joey Jordison.

Key tracks:

• Psychosocial
• Snuff

Sitting comfortably in the top half of the fan ranking, All Hope Is Gone is cherished for its massive, arena-ready anthems.

While some members have expressed mixed feelings about its creation, fans embraced the powerful songwriting and the blend of aggression and melody. Tracks like "Psychosocial" and "Snuff" remain live staples and fan favorites for a reason.

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4. Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses (Special Edition) (2004)

After a turbulent period, Slipknot returned in 2004 with Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses). Produced by the legendary Rick Rubin, this album marked a significant evolution in the band's sound.

It was the first Slipknot album to incorporate more traditional song structures, acoustic instruments, and prominent guitar solos. The band wrote the material at The Mansion in Los Angeles, a period of initial unproductivity that eventually gave way to immense creativity.

The album was a triumph, peaking in the top ten in eleven countries and earning the band a Grammy Award for "Before I Forget." It proved Slipknot could experiment without losing their core intensity.

Key tracks:

• Duality
• Before I Forget

Vol. 3 holds a pivotal place in the band's history, and its fan ranking reflects that. It's the album that opened the door to a new dimension of Slipknot's music.

The willingness to embrace melody and acoustic textures divided some at first, but its masterful songwriting and emotional depth have made it an enduring favorite for a huge portion of the fanbase.

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5. We Are Not Your Kind (2019)

Released in 2019, We Are Not Your Kind was hailed by critics and fans as a major return to form. It was recorded with co-producer Greg Fidelman, who helped the band push their creative boundaries.

The album is noted for its high level of experimentation, blending punishingly heavy tracks with dark, atmospheric interludes. The writing process was extensive, with the band crafting over 20 songs to choose from.

The record was a global success, debuting at number one in the US and several other countries. It received widespread critical acclaim, with many commentators calling it one of the best releases of Slipknot's career.

Key tracks:

• Unsainted
• Nero Forte

As a more recent release, We Are Not Your Kind's position reflects its strong, positive reception. It's an album that feels both innovative and deeply rooted in the band's history.

Fans appreciate its artistic ambition and the way it balances raw aggression with sophisticated, haunting soundscapes. It's seen as a mature and powerful statement from a band still at the peak of their creative powers.

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6. .5: The Gray Chapter (2014)

.5: The Gray Chapter was Slipknot's first album in six years and a deeply emotional one. Released in 2014, it was the first record made without bassist Paul Gray, who passed away in 2010.

The album serves as a tribute to Gray, with its title and lyrical themes directly referencing the band's loss and grief. It also marked the debut of new members Alessandro Venturella on bass and Jay Weinberg on drums.

Praised for channeling the band's pain into a powerful and productive statement, the album was a commercial success and received two Grammy nominations. It was seen as a triumphant and resilient return.

Key tracks:

• Custer
• The Devil in I

This album's ranking speaks to its difficult but necessary place in the Slipknot story. It's an album born from tragedy, and fans respect it immensely for that.

While navigating the immense challenge of moving forward, the band delivered a record that honors their past while establishing a new future. Its emotional weight is undeniable.

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7. The End, So Far (2022)

Slipknot's seventh studio album, The End, So Far, was released in 2022. It stands as the band's shortest album and their final release with their longtime label, Roadrunner Records.

The record is one of the band's most experimental, with Corey Taylor describing it as a "heavier version" of Vol. 3. It features diverse tracks, from the synth-driven, clean-singing opener "Adderall" to more traditionally heavy songs.

The album was generally well-received by critics, who praised the band's continued evolution and musical versatility. It debuted in the top ten in over ten countries worldwide.

Key tracks:

• The Dying Song (Time To Sing)
• Yen

As the band's most recent and arguably most experimental work, The End, So Far naturally lands lower in a fan ranking dominated by classic releases.

Its bold artistic swings are appreciated by many, but it hasn't had the years to cement its legacy in the same way as the albums that defined the band's sound for a generation of listeners.

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Picked your top Slipknot classic? Check out Slipknot's discography on their Roll The Record Artist hub.

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Slipknot albums: A look at popularity data

While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.

This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.

Below is a ranking of Slipknot's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.

Popularity Rank	Album Title	Release Year
1	Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses	2004
2	Slipknot	1999
3	All Hope Is Gone	2008
4	.5: The Gray Chapter	2014
5	We Are Not Your Kind	2019
6	Iowa	2001
7	The End, So Far	2022

Quick FAQs about Slipknot's albums

Q: What was the recording process like for Slipknot's debut album?

A: The recording was described as "very aggressive and chaotic." Producer Ross Robinson aimed to capture the band's live intensity, recording all drums within three days to achieve a raw, powerful sound.

Q: Is it true that a member left during the recording of the first album?

A: Yes, original guitarist Josh Brainard left the band near the end of recording in late 1998. His replacement, Jim Root, recorded two tracks on the debut and appeared full-time on all subsequent albums.

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So there it is, a deep look at the Slipknot albums ranked by the fans and by the numbers.

It's clear that the raw power of their early work holds a special place in the hearts of longtime listeners, while their entire catalog continues to find new audiences.

Ultimately, the best Slipknot album is the one that connects with you. It's the one that provides an outlet when you need it most.

What does your ranking look like?