LOLPOCALYPSE

Although I can understand why people would hate the masks, I actually really like them. I don't think they are gimmick as much as the band trying to have fun. Every band has a gimmick or trademark of some kind. I think the masks kind of give Slipknot a kind of unity that puts more focus on the music. Of course you could also find the masks distracting. I also like the drum section a lot, plus it makes for a great live show. As for monotony I just don't see it. They have a lot of raw and heavy songs, plus a few acoustic/power ballads, good vocal range, and some very atmospheric songs (check "Gently"). They also don't try to force the extra drums on every song, and the turntables are used more and more sparingly, but not without noticeable impact.

Janszoon

I actually like the masks couldn't care less about their level of popularity, I'm still not a fan though. To me it's simply because everything I've heard by them is pretty dull.

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Howard the Duck

look, Slipknot's Iowa is almost nu GRINDCORE - so fark arf already - they're great

Unknown Soldier

Personally I don`t mind the masks either, its just the drum heavy approach that overrides a lot of their material especially the earlier struff, that detracts from their overall sound. The group became extremely successful, without having a unique sound, like for example Megadeth, Slayer or Pantera or SOAD etc.

As for why this group needs 8 members to produce their sound is something of a mystery (maybe they`re influenced by Rammstein in this)

djchameleon

Rap and Rock were meant to be so that's probably my main reason for liking Nu Metal even though I know not all Nu Metal bands include rapping.

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LOLPOCALYPSE

They had 9 members (until bassist Paul Gray died last year) and I think they were all utilized fairly well. The sampler is probably the least necessary (does keyboard and samples during live shows) but he does his part. The turntables were not brought in until the first album was nearing completion (1999), and I think it adds a really nice touch, while still not being particularly groundbreaking. Listen to their original 1997 demo Mate.Feed.Kill.Repeat and it is slow and monotonous (and without Corey Taylor). By the time of the release of the debut album, however, everything was polished. No one part is too prominent, even with the extra drums. The drums aren't even used on every song, and sometimes just small parts. When they do get used, they are used creatively, which I do think sets the band apart from nu metal peers like Disturbed, Deftones, and Korn (I refuse to acknowledge Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit). For instance, the marching snares on the song "The Blister Exists" I find to be really cool, as well as the heavy drumming on "The Heretic Anthem". It comes down to a matter of preference though. I typically focus on vocals more, and those aren't really overpowered by the drums like the guitars possibly are.

Unknown Soldier

As I`ve not seen this group live or even a live performance on dvd, I`ll take your word that they are well utilized. I agree the debut album probably sounds too polished and would`ve sounded better with a rawer feel to it. I also think that Corey Taylor is a good vocalist, especially on the Stone Sour debut album.

As for creativity I find both Korn and Deftones to be more creative than Slipknot and more enjoyable album for album.

In terms of quality of the groups that have been mentioned:
Korn> Deftones> Slipknot> Limp Bizkit >>>>>>>>>>>> Disturbed and Linkin Park.

I think of both Linkin Park and Disturbed, as being two of the worst groups in the history of metal!

LOLPOCALYPSE

Linkin Park I can definitely understand because I despise them, but what was your reasoning for placing Disturbed so far down on the totem pole (personally I would place Limp Bizkit and Three Days Grace at the bottom). I have always liked Disturbed and owe it to them for getting me in to the much heavier stuff. I would also say they shed their nu metal roots after album one (other than "Liberate" from their 2nd album). I will admit that the lyrics in albums 1, 4 and 5 a pretty weak, but in albums 2 and 3 I would consider very good. David is a very good conventional singer, and once you move past the weaker popularized songs ("Down with the Sickness", "Indestructible", etc.) there is a lot to like in their music.

Chi-Town

I grew up on Korn. I was about 12 or so when Blind came out and thought it was fantastic.

29 now, still love it. Some people give me **** for it, I don't care. It's great to work out to, put on bottled up inside and start lifting weights, Freak on a leash while your out running.

I went through a really bad time some years ago I identified with the lyrics so there's a personal connection to it.

Don't like slipknot so much, like some mudvayne.

Have to say Korn is my favorite band.

Unknown Soldier

My opinion of Disturbed is largely based on the first two albums (only two which I`ve heard) and I thought were pretty dire, especially the singing! If they went through some drastic improvement for the later albums, like Avenged Sevenfold did, I might like them a bit more.