Slipknot‘s 1999 debut album is one of greatest metal releases of all time; when it comes to pointing out how finely crafted the record is, alongside that of the band’s incredible artistry, a lot of thanks is owed to producer Ross Robinson.
While talking to Dewey Halpaus of the Peer Pleasure Podcast, Robinson talked about his work on the band’s 1999 album; he speaks to part of the creative process behind the album, how he feels the band wouldn’t have made it if the record didn’t go platinum, and how he personally funded most of the record. The following was transcribed by Metal Injection.
“…The first Slipknot record; the intention wasn’t to ever think about the release. Like somehow it wasn’t going to be and we were just there together. The feeling was like ‘this is only happening here and we’re the only ones that know.’ You know? And it was to create something so hungry and so hype to make the mountain glow. Like to give back to breath, to air, to love. That’s what it feels like to me thinking about it, thinking about it.
“Fuck man, if that thing didn’t go platinum right off the bat, they wouldn’t be a band. So I knew that if you can blast the mind shut, like blank, and the heart just [explodes] and the tears come down, for me, as a listener… [I’m] just fed. Then one person that might hear it may not kill themselves. Or [they] feel listened to. Or feel loved with all our hearts, everything. No toughness, no ego, all that bullshit. It’s just ‘hard is lame’ and it’s the fucking heaviest thing probably I’ve ever done—that first album.”
He later went on to add, specifically speaking to financing the album:
“And Roadrunner was really just not helping the situation at the time. I fronted all the studio time. I put a deposit on the studio myself. I sent Mick to the dentist and paid for it all. Like whatever it was, rehearsals, the rehearsal place, whatever it was, I fronted everything until almost ’till we started mixing. We were in the process that long after pre-production. It didn’t feel like we were supported or cared about. It’s like we were completely alone on our own island and that’s what it fucking sounded like – furious.”
What are your feelings regarding the first Slipknot album? Have you checked out our personal ranking of Slipknot albums? You can also check out the full conversation featuring Ross Robinson below.