Masks in music!

Masks are not only used in Shamanistic rituals and traditions, masks are also used by some modern bands to change their entire image on stage to create many different effects. Some are scary and fearsome with bands such as Slipknot, and some are more obscure like with bands such as Mushroomhead and Insane Clown Posse.

The first band i researched that involved masks in their performances is Slipknot.Originating from Iowa USA and formed in 1995 by Sid Wilson, Joey Jordison, Paul Gray, Chris Fehn, Jim Root, Craig Jones, Shawn Crahen, Mick Thomson and Corey Taylor.

Each member of the bad wear a unique mask, each symbolising a completely different persona and identity from their day to day lives. Corey Taylor (Lead vocals) wears a mask simalar to

that of Thomas Brown Hewitt AKA Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies. I feel this has been chosen to amplify the the grim and brutal atmosphere of their concerts and musical style.

Although Slipknot are not the only band to have performed using masks and different identities, Mushroomhead also performed wearing masks.

Unlike in Slipknot where each mask is completely different Mushroomhead all wear the same or similar masks aside from the singer who wears only face paint.

I feel that this is a symbol of unity throughout the band, almost as if the band is one person performing in unison to create their atmosphere and sound. Upon researching into Mushroomhead's alter-ego's i have learnt that Their current masks, as one of their producers confirmed, are them coming back from hell after being killed in war. I feel that this could fortify my idea that the masks symbolize unity as they're all return from war as comrades through thick and thin.