When Slipknot dropped their self-titled debut album in 1999, it sent shock waves through the rock and metal world. It was so ferocious and yet so catchy, so maniacal and yet so meticulous. — from the industrial menace of "742617000027" all the way through to the raw, spasmodic grind of "hidden" track "Eeyore." Then there was the band themselves: the masks, the jumpsuits, the "fuck you all" attitude of their interviews, the "fuck you all even harder" attitude of their live shows. Below, on the eve of the album's 20th anniversary, Demon Hunter guitarist Patrick Judge looks back on the first time Slipknot blew his mind and the enduring impact the album has had on him ever since.
TALK ABOUT THE FIRST TIME YOU HEARD SLIPKNOT'S SELF-TITLED ALBUM, AND HOW YOU DISCOVERED IT.
PATRICK JUDGE The first time I heard Slipknot was on a field trip in 6th grade. A friend of mine actually bought the self titled cd on that trip and let me listen to it with him on the bus. I was blown away!
WHAT DOES SLIPKNOT MEAN TO YOU?
Slipknot was always a beacon of hope to me. I'm from Iowa myself and seeing a group of guys that looked and sounded the way they did have big time success was incredibly motivating to me. A state that normally breeds farmers and politicians is now home to one of the biggest metal bands in the world! They made me feel like I could make it, too.
HOW, IF AT ALL, DID THE BAND'S FIRST ALBUM INFLUENCE YOUR OWN CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT, OR THE WAY YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WRITING MUSIC?
Some of the first riffs I ever tried to learn were Slipknot riffs. They were one of the main reasons I started playing guitar.
DID YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MASK OR MEMBER OF THE BAND AT THE TIME?
I think Corey's first mask will always be my favorite. It was so menacing. I always loved Sid's gas masks, too. Back in the day, he wore different ones all the time.
WAS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU THAT THE BAND WORE MASKS AND JUMPSUITS LIKE THEY DID?
It was what drew me in initially, for sure. Nobody else looked like that at the time. I cut out every poster out of every magazine I could find and hung them on my wall. They looked exactly like what your parents do not want you listening to!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SLIPKNOT TRACK?
I'll say "Surfacing." To this day I don't know if there is a song that gets me as hyped up as that. I'm actually listening to it now and it still gives me goosebumps. I used to listen to it every morning before school! Close second would be "(sic)." That riff is unreal!!
IS SLIPKNOT SOMETHING YOU REGULARLY GO BACK AND LISTEN TO? OR DOES IT REPRESENT A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME IN YOUR HISTORY?
Slipknot has been in my regular rotation since that field trip in sixth grade.I am a lifelong fan and can't thank them enough for their music and for giving this fellow Iowan hope!
