“I never wanted to be in a band, I just liked playing music. I was never a showman. If I didn’t have my mask on I wouldn’t be at the front of the stage”: An interview with Mick Thomson, Slipknot’s reluctant guitar hero

Slipknot’s Mick Thomson posing for a photograph in a steel-plate mask .

Mick Thomson is more than just Slipknot’s guitarist - with his steel-plate mask and towering frame, he’s one of the band’s most recognisable members. He’s racked up more years than anyone other than founder Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan, joining the Iowa band in 1996 just after they recorded their demo album, Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.

In 2006, the usually interview-shy guitarist sat down with Metal Hammer for a look back over his life and career, from his earliest bands through to Slipknot’s mega-success. This is what the big man had to say.