Complete List Of Joey Jordison Bands And Musical Projects

Feature Photo: Rezter, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

A drum kit was never just an instrument in the hands of Joey Jordison. It became a weapon of speed, precision, and theatrical chaos, helping redefine heavy metal drumming for an entire generation. Raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Jordison developed his obsession with music at an early age after receiving his first drum kit from his parents. His earliest influences ranged from hard rock and thrash metal bands to punk groups, and by his teenage years, he was already performing in local bands around Iowa. Before music became his full-time career, he worked at a Sinclair gas station in Des Moines while continuing to pursue his ambitions as a drummer and songwriter. That relentless work ethic became one of the defining traits of his career, especially once he helped form Slipknot in 1995 alongside bassist Paul Gray and percussionist Shawn Crahan.

Slipknot’s arrival in the late 1990s altered the direction of heavy metal music. Jordison’s drumming style blended blast beat intensity with complex rhythmic arrangements that pushed the band beyond the limits of conventional nu metal. The group released its independent debut Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. In 1996, before signing with Roadrunner Records and issuing the breakthrough self-titled album Slipknot in 1999. The record became a massive commercial success and established Jordison as one of the most recognizable drummers in heavy music. Songs such as “Wait and Bleed,” “Spit It Out,” and “Surfacing” became defining tracks of the era. His masked appearance, frantic stage energy, and technically demanding performances helped turn Slipknot concerts into legendary live events. Jordison also became known for performing on elevated rotating drum risers that added a visual spectacle rarely seen in metal performances at the time.

As Slipknot’s popularity exploded, Jordison became deeply involved in the band’s songwriting and arrangements. He contributed heavily to albums such as Iowa, Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses), All Hope Is Gone, and the live album 9.0: Live. Iowa, released in 2001, was praised for its brutality and intensity, while Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) revealed a more experimental side of the band with songs such as “Duality,” “Before I Forget,” and “Vermilion.” “Before I Forget” earned Slipknot a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2006. Jordison’s drumming became one of the band’s signatures because of his ability to maintain incredible speed while preserving precision and groove. His work on tracks such as “People = Shit” and “Disasterpiece” influenced countless younger drummers who studied his double bass technique and aggressive style.

Outside of Slipknot, Jordison maintained one of the busiest side careers in heavy metal. In 2002 he formed the horror punk and metal band Murderdolls with Wednesday 13. The group released Beyond the Valley of the Murderdolls, which developed a devoted cult following thanks to songs such as “Dead in Hollywood” and “White Wedding.” Jordison played guitar in the band rather than drums, revealing another side of his musicianship. He later formed the extreme metal band Scar the Martyr and eventually joined the band Vimic. Jordison also performed with several major artists throughout his career, including Metallica, Korn, Ministry, Rob Zombie, and Satyricon. In 2004, he famously filled in for Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich during a Download Festival appearance after Ulrich became ill, performing in front of tens of thousands of fans with minimal preparation. That appearance further solidified his reputation among musicians as an elite live performer capable of stepping into almost any situation.

Jordison’s accomplishments earned him widespread recognition throughout the music industry. He won numerous awards from drum magazines and reader polls, including being named Best Drummer by Revolver magazine readers multiple times. In 2010, readers of Rhythm magazine voted him the greatest drummer of the previous 25 years. His influence extended beyond metal, as musicians from punk, hard rock, and alternative music regularly cited his precision and stamina as sources of inspiration. Slipknot sold millions of albums worldwide during his tenure with the group, and the band achieved multiple platinum certifications and Grammy nominations. Jordison’s musicianship also extended into production and songwriting, as he frequently collaborated with other artists and contributed to recording sessions outside his main projects.

Health problems dramatically affected Jordison’s later years. He revealed that he had been suffering from transverse myelitis, a neurological disease that temporarily caused him to lose the use of his legs. The condition severely impacted his drumming ability and contributed to his separation from Slipknot in 2013. Rather than retreat from music, Jordison underwent intense rehabilitation and eventually returned to performing. His determination to overcome the illness became one of the most admired aspects of his life story. Fans and fellow musicians respected not only his technical brilliance but also his refusal to surrender in the face of a condition that threatened the very foundation of his career.

Beyond recording and touring, Jordison was involved in several projects connected to the metal community. He frequently participated in drum clinics and instructional appearances where he discussed technique, endurance, and songwriting. He worked with independent artists, collaborated on tribute performances, and remained active in helping develop younger musicians in heavy music circles. His appearances at major festivals and charity-related music events further strengthened his reputation as a dedicated figure within the metal world. Jordison was also known for maintaining close relationships with fans, often speaking openly about his struggles, influences, and creative process in interviews and public appearances.

Joey Jordison died on July 26, 2021, at the age of 46. His death led to an enormous outpouring of tributes from across the music industry, especially from drummers and metal musicians who viewed him as one of the defining performers of his era. The legacy he left behind extends far beyond Slipknot’s success. His drumming changed the expectations of what modern metal percussion could sound like, combining speed, theatricality, discipline, and songwriting instincts into a style that became instantly recognizable. For many fans, Jordison represented the spirit of total commitment to heavy music, a musician whose performances felt explosive every single night he stepped onstage.

With Slipknot

Slipknot (1999)

Iowa (2001)

Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) (2004)

All Hope Is Gone & Vol.3: The Subliminal Verses Compact Disk Set

All Hope Is Gone (2008)

.5: The Gray Chapter (2014)

We Are Not Your Kind (2019)

The End, So Far (2022)

Adderall EP (2023)

With Murderdolls

Beyond the Valley of the Murderdolls (2002)

Women and Children Last (2010)

With Scar the Martyr

Scar the Martyr (2013)

Revolver EP (2013)

Metal Hammer EP (2013)

With Sinsaenum

Echoes of the Tortured (2016)

Repulsion for Humanity (2018)

In Devastation (2025)

Sinsaenum (2016)

A Taste of Sin (2016)

Ashes (2017)

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