Mushroomhead vs. Slipknot: A Look Back at a “Rivalry” and the Evolution of Mutual Respect
In the early 2000s, the metal scene was bustling with energy and a sense of competition as new bands emerged, each trying to carve out their space in the industry. Among these bands were Mushroomhead and Slipknot, two groups that not only shared a love for heavy metal but also a penchant for theatrics and masks. As both bands grew in popularity, they were often pitted against each other, leading to what many perceived as a fierce rivalry. However, as time has passed, the leader of Mushroomhead, Steve “Skinny” Felton, has expressed nothing but respect and admiration for Slipknot, reflecting on the supposed feud with a sense of clarity and maturity.
The Origins of the “Rivalry”
Mushroomhead was formed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1993, and quickly became known for their theatrical performances, which included elaborate costumes and masks. They were pioneers in combining visual artistry with their music, creating a unique experience for their audience. Slipknot, hailing from Des Moines, Iowa, emerged a few years later in 1995, with a similar approach to their performances. Like Mushroomhead, Slipknot used masks and jumpsuits as part of their identity, making them stand out in the metal scene.
As both bands began to gain traction, comparisons between the two were inevitable. Fans and media outlets alike speculated on a rivalry, often amplifying tensions between the groups. This supposed feud reached a peak when Slipknot played a show in Cleveland, Mushroomhead’s hometown, and faced a hostile reception from the crowd. Audience members threw objects at Slipknot, leading to a confrontation between the band and the crowd. The incident further fueled rumors of bad blood between the two bands.
Skinny Reflects on the “Beef”
In a recent interview with Metal Hammer, Steve “Skinny” Felton reflected on the early days of Mushroomhead and the perceived rivalry with Slipknot. According to Skinny, the so-called “beef” was largely a creation of the media. He suggests that the media played a significant role in inflating the tension between the two bands, capitalizing on the public’s interest in feuds, particularly in the music industry.
“The media fueled it and fans bought into it,” Skinny said, acknowledging that while there may have been some animosity at the time, it was nowhere near the level that the media portrayed. He also pointed out that during that era, the media had a tendency to highlight and exacerbate conflicts between artists, especially within the rap genre, which had its fair share of publicized rivalries.
As for the Cleveland incident, Skinny revealed that he was not present at the show when it occurred. Over the years, he has heard various accounts of what happened, but he remains convinced that the event was blown out of proportion. To him, the incident is just one example of how the narrative of a rivalry was constructed and maintained by external forces rather than the bands themselves.
Respect for Slipknot’s Achievements
Despite the early tensions and the media’s portrayal of their relationship, Skinny has nothing but praise for Slipknot today. Reflecting on their success, he spoke highly of the band, acknowledging their impact on the metal genre and their ability to bring a theatrical element to their performances that resonates with fans worldwide.
“Slipknot, man, amazing. One of the biggest heavy metal bands in the world. Holy shit, it’s gigantically huge and what they have done is amazing. And I think it opens the doors for other bands as well as my own. People like this masked metal. They like theatrics,” Skinny stated.
He went on to express admiration for the challenges Slipknot has faced throughout their career, including the loss of band members and the pressures of maintaining their artistic vision. “I have a lot of compassion for them because they’ve put up with a lot of bullshit just to make music and art, and they’ve lost good people,” Skinny added, recognizing the toll that the music industry can take on artists.
In a particularly candid moment, Skinny admitted that Slipknot achieved a vision that he once had for Mushroomhead. “I commend them for everything they do, and it just goes to show that I wasn’t that far off many years ago that this type of thing was going to be bigger than we even knew. I wasn’t wrong. It just wasn’t my band,” he reflected. This statement highlights not only his respect for Slipknot but also a sense of pride in the fact that both bands contributed to the rise of a new wave of metal that embraced both music and visual artistry.
The Legacy of Mushroomhead and Slipknot
While the supposed rivalry between Mushroomhead and Slipknot may have been overblown, there is no denying that both bands have left a significant mark on the metal scene. Mushroomhead was the first of the two to release an album, with their self-titled debut arriving in 1995. This was followed by two more independent releases before the band signed with Universal Records for their 2003 album *XIII*. Over the years, Mushroomhead has continued to evolve, with their ninth studio album, *A Wonderful Life*, released in 2020.
Slipknot, on the other hand, caught their big break when they signed with Roadrunner Records, leading to the release of their self-titled album in 1999. The album was a commercial success and catapulted the band to international fame. Since then, Slipknot has released seven studio albums, with their most recent offering, *The End, So Far*, arriving in 2022.
Both bands have undergone lineup changes and faced various challenges throughout their careers, but they have remained active and relevant in the ever-changing landscape of metal music. While Mushroomhead and Slipknot may have started on similar paths, their journeys have diverged, leading them to different but equally important places in the history of metal.
The story of Mushroomhead and Slipknot is one that illustrates the power of media narratives and the impact they can have on the public’s perception of artists. What was once seen as a bitter rivalry between two masked metal bands has, with time, been revealed as a story of mutual respect and admiration. Skinny’s reflections on Slipknot’s achievements and the role both bands have played in shaping the metal genre offer a refreshing perspective on what was once considered a feud. Today, both Mushroomhead and Slipknot continue to thrive, each with their own legacy, proving that there is room for multiple voices in the world of metal.
