In an era where filming concerts is as simple as holding up a smartphone, metal fans are rejoicing at the resurface of rare videos of Slipknot’s early shows online. Among these precious archives is one of the band’s most famous and controversial performances: the September 11, 1999 concert in Cleveland, Ohio, where an altercation with Mushroomhead fans broke out mid-show.
In the ’90s and ’00s, Slipknot built a reputation for live shows that were marked by raw energy and chaotic atmosphere, which helped establish them as one of the leading bands of the Nu Metal movement. At the time, filming a concert was an underground art, requiring bulky equipment and often privileged access. Today, footage from this period is resurfacing on YouTube, notably on channels like FelipesVault, which compiles unreleased live performances and rare soundchecks from the band.
Perhaps one of the most striking videos is the one from the September 11, 1999 concert in Cleveland, where tensions between Slipknot and Mushroomhead fans exploded mid-show. At the time, there was a rivalry between the two bands, mostly due to their masked image, which some accused Slipknot of borrowing from Mushroomhead, who hailed from Cleveland.
The concert in question became legendary when Mushroomhead fans began throwing objects, including batteries, onto the stage. This provocation sparked a physical confrontation with several members of Slipknot, including percussionist M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan and guitarist Jim Root, who jumped into the crowd to fight the agitators.
The tension quickly calmed after security intervened, and singer Corey Taylor took charge by asking the crowd: “Do you want to see a fight or a fucking show?” before resuming the concert, which continued in a high-energy atmosphere.
In this year when Slipknot celebrates the 25th anniversary of its eponymous 1999 album, this wave of nostalgia is reinforced by the rediscovery of these archives, through YouTube channels like FelipesVault and Sipes Audio, which even offers videos remastered in 4K.
Videos from Slipknot’s early days:
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