The 13 Best Slipknot Masks of All Time – Ranked
The best Slipknot masks is a big topic in the fandom. It’s one of the group’s most iconic elements and helped reach stardom. Any metal fan can watch these masks and know they are Slipknot. Therefore, making a list of them was bound to happen sooner or later.
There are many ways to judge and rank the best Slipknot masks: whether it’s through how iconic they are, how good they good, or how they connect to their best album. Slipknot is a band with a lot of history, so people associate some moments with their masks.
People like Corey Taylor, Jim Root, and Joey Jordison had some of the best masks in the entire group but some lesser-known band members deserve shouts too. They are such a big band that some musicians often are forgotten and that is a shame, all things considered.
Slipknot’s Best Masks, Ranked from Worst to Best
This list about the best Slipknot masks is based on several factors. This includes elements such as how cool they look, how iconic they are, and the moment in time. The “moment in time” refers to where the band was in that particular period and what it represented for that musician.
It’s also worth pointing out that anyone can have different opinions regarding this list. If there is a mask missing, feel free to drop a comment. This list is entirely subjective and everybody can have different points of view.
Which are the best Slipknot masks of all time?
- Sid Wilson (All Hope is Gone)
- Shawn “Clown” Crahan (Iowa)
- Paul Gray (All Hope Is Gone)
- Corey Taylor (Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses)
- Chris Fehn (5: The Gray Chapter)
- Jim Root (5: The Gray Chapter)
- Craig Jones (5: The Gray Chapter)
- Alessandro Venturella (We Are Not Your Kind)
- Jay Weinberg (We Are Not Your Kind)
- Jim Root (Slipknot)
- Corey Taylor (All Hope Is Gone)
- Mick Thomson (5: The Gray Chapter)
- Joey Jordison (All Hope Is Gone)
13. Sid Wilson (All Hope is Gone)
His mask in 2008 was one of the most shocking and that is why it is among the best Slipknot masks. Sid broke his mask trend a bit by opting for a more robotic design and that alone made him stand out from the rest of the band, who had more horror-based looks.
He moved away from that image of a character that looked like he was in a nuclear disaster. And far from being a bad choice, he gave audiences a character who looked like a very sophisticated android. It was a bizarre choice but one that made Sid stand out from the rest of the group.
Wilson always comes through for the band and this mask is a very good example of that.
12. Shawn “Clown” Crahan (Iowa)
The album Iowa gave the world of the band’s best songs. However, that era did not produce many outstanding masks, except for Clown‘s. The mask has a combination of styles and details that give a very fearful look.
It’s like a Japanese mask and has a star that looks like a wound. The blood combined with details like the red clown nose results in a place among the best Slipknot masks. It’s a shame that an album like Iowa didn’t produce more iconic masks, though.
This record is considered by many as Slipknot‘s peak and is hard to disagree. It was an early marriage of the intensity of the debut but with better songwriting. It’s also the album that often gets the most recognition from most metal circles. And it makes a lot of sense considering the level of aggression mixed with talented songwriting that it has.
11. Paul Gray (All Hope Is Gone)
The former bassist died in 2010 and fans still love him dearly. And the All Hope is Gone mask is probably his most iconic look.
The black color with that metallic touch causes a big impression. The mask has details such as the cracks and the small tubes in the mouth. This one ranks among the best Slipknot masks also for the sentimental value of Gray‘s loss.
All Hope is Gone is often heralded as the point where the band started to decline. And while their sound is certainly more commercial, it was a natural progression. It still had some great moments and cemented the band’s position as one of the most popular metal acts in the world at the time.
10. Corey Taylor (Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses)
Beyond the design, which is pretty cool, this Corey Taylor mask is iconic for the band. So it has to be on a list of the best Slipknot masks. It’s one of the band’s most legendary traits and one a lot of fans have fond memories of.
The mask is a horrible face with scars and deformities that gives away that feeling of fear. The metallic style together with the color combination of Taylor‘s hair gives a very good presentation. It also helps that he used this mask for the memorable “Before I Forget” music video.
The band’s singer is always going to have a lot more of the spotlight. It’s no difference in Slipknot and it helped this mask greatly.
9. Chris Fehn (5: The Gray Chapter)
The Liar had an interesting evolution with his masks because they have always been characterized by his long nose. In The Gray Chapter, the level of detail it achieved, with a model that covers the back of Fehn’s head, makes it stand out among the best Slipknot masks.
Never did the Tin Man inspire as much fear as Fehn did with his mask from that time. This is remarkable work and deserves a lot of recognition. An underrated mask made by an underrated musician.
8. Jim Root (5: The Gray Chapter)
Root went for a different route for this one and that was quite interesting. This mask in particular doesn’t cover his whole face, which is a first for the band. But that doesn’t stop it from being among the best Slipknot masks simply because it looks so cool.
It’s stylish, it’s simple, and to the point. And the combination of Root‘s hair and beard makes a strong impact. One of the more minimalistic masks on this list, for sure. It’s also interesting how The Gray Chapter pushed a lot of the band’s mask designs. Perhaps it was a way to separate this era from the Paul Gray one.
7. Craig Jones (5: The Gray Chapter)
Some fans have always said that Craig Jones has some of the worst masks in Slipknot history. However, his look in The Gray Chapter has one of the best Slipknot masks, which is a nice change of pace.
The “pointy” design of Jones’ masks reaches its peak with this one. This mask is as well made as it is striking, with long nails sticking out all over the face. Jones definitely pushed the envelope with this mask and worked like a charm.
The Gray Chapter was a difficult period in the band’s career. They were going through a lot of changes and their sound changed considerably. Some band members were leaving, things were changing, and some fans even left at the time. However, there is no denying that the band kept pushing forward.
6. Alessandro Venturella (We Are Not Your Kind)
Venturella has a quite original design and differs from what fans have seen in the band’s history. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing since it is among the Best Slipknot Masks.
The mask has a lot of cool details and flows smoothly. And, it is worth mentioning, that is something that fans of the band usually like. It’s also worth pointing out that Venturella is the “new guy”, taking over Gray‘s position, and he has done a great job in that.
It must have been a big challenge to fill in for such a major musician. However, Venturella has proven to be a capable replacement and his mask also adds to the allure of the musician.
5. Jay Weinberg (We Are Not Your Kind)
Despite being one of the most recent members of the band, that does not leave him off this list. Weinberg has one of the best Slipknot Masks, at least in terms of aesthetics and visual appeal.
The design has Greek-inspired elements along with the band’s classic horror elements. In that sense, it is a mask that differs a little from the rest of Slipknot‘s masks and that also makes it quite interesting.
As the newest guy at the time, replacing a colossus like drummer Joey Jordison, it was always going to be tough. However, Weinberg has done a solid job and deserves a lot of praise for his time in the band. Hopefully, he can continue on that path.
4. Jim Root (Slipknot)
The Slipknot masks have evolved over the years. That’s why on this list of the best Slipknot masks there aren’t many of their early days. However, there is an exception to the rule in this case and Jim Root‘s mask in 1999 is that exception.
A design with many details that convey feelings of both fear and insanity. It gives the feeling of a psychotic killer. Root could easily be the next Joker in an upcoming Batman movie with this look.
It’s always fun to look back at the 1999 debut and how much the band has changed over the years. While some of the core elements of their sound have remained, that raw aggression and anger were so appealing. The impact they had back in those days is also very significant because it made a major difference in the genre.
3. Corey Taylor (All Hope Is Gone)
Corey Taylor himself said that this was his favorite mask and that’s enough to include it among the best Slipknot masks. It is possibly one of the simplest designs we can find in Slipknot but that is what makes it work.
It is a simple mask with a metallic feel. That gives Taylor that dehumanized look that fits so well with the band’s lyrics. It’s also quite iconic because this was one of Slipknot‘s commercial peaks.
It’s difficult to think of Slipknot without remembering this mask. The All Hope is Gone era marked a before and after in the band’s history. It’s fair to say they were never the same band afterwards and this mask is a symbol of that iconic era. It’s something that a lot of fans have latched onto over the years.
Be that as it may, its place as one of the best Slipknot masks is more than deserved.
2. Mick Thomson (5: The Gray Chapter)
In Mick‘s case, his mask has had no significant design changes and, in fact, people could any of the ones he has worn in the last decade. However, the one he wore during The Gray Chapter era deserves a lot of recognition.
He has a terrifying and at the same time detailed design that is iconic in the band. Without a doubt, this is one of the best Slipknot masks. Of course, it also helps that Mick has a very intimidating look and figure that makes him quite imposing. It contributes to the fear factor of the mask.
Jim Root usually gets most of the recognition in the band but Mick deserves a lot more love. He has proven time and time again how reliable he can be as a player. A very underrated guitarist.
1. Joey Jordison (All Hope Is Gone)
This is not only the greatest among the best Slipknot masks, but also one of the band’s most legendary looks. Jordison‘s mask game was always top-notch but this one is the most iconic and memorable.
The crown of thorns adds a great touch to an already great mask, with the black details that stand out against the white painting. The rest of the outfit also deserves a shout, which includes the hands with roots, and that creates a very memorable look.
Jordison sadly left this world in 2021. It was a massive loss for the entire Slipknot and metal community. However, his music and legendary drumming skills will live on in the hearts of millions.
Which Slipknot masks are the best for you? Let us know in the comment section!