Slipknot's first songs were composed in 1993, during what is referred to by the band members as the "Basement Sessions". During the early years the band went through the names The Pale Ones , Pyg system, and Meld before they settled on Slipknot. Conducted in the basement of Anders Colsefini, co-founder of the band. Many of the songs on Mate.Feed.Kill.Repeat and some that were added to later albums were written during these sessions. Shawn Crahan was the lead drummer before Joey Jordison entered the band. Crahan, being one of the founders, came up with the idea on having three drummers; first to create a powerful tribal sound that Crahan wanted, and second to create a 'wall of sound' effect.

They achieved a stable line-up in 1995, and released a demo entitled Mate.Feed.Kill.Repeat on Halloween in 1996. The demo sold well, but had a very small release of only 1000 copies. A few major record labels became interested in the group. At that time, the band contained five members, but Roadrunner Records didn't want to sign them at first, feeling that the songwriting needed some work. One year later, after a rather large promotional blitzing by John Kuliak, a Midwest Promotion representative for Roadrunner, an agreement was worked to get Slipknot signed to the reluctant label. In due course, Slipknot went out to find a new lead singer, hired Corey Taylor as the lead vocalist, and pushed Anders to percussion. Anders was not interested in being a percussionist and left the band to pursue his own musical goals.

Roadrunner Records eventually signed the band, and released their self-titled debut album, Slipknot, in June of 1999, produced by Ross Robinson. The album became Roadrunner Records' first Platinum certified album.

(courtesy of wikipedia)

The long shot of the Manson story is that Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails got him signed and now they hate each other. 

Handsome Dead wrote:

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Darth Mattitude wrote:

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How did Slipknot & Marilyn Manson ever get recording contracts?

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Because they're quality. Well, some of their stuff is.

Although, it does come across that Manson is trying his best to be Mana at certain points, which is clearly never ever going to happen.

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With "The 'knot" I like the stuff on The Barcode album and the stuff from "Volume 3 The subliminal verses" but I like about 3 songs from "Iowa" possibly their weakest album. Stone Sour are the best thing to come out of Slipknot. 

as for manson I've never really rated him. He can't sing and I'm not really into the "Industrial" sound John 5 is a kick ass guitarist it's a shame Manson wouldn't let him go crazy.
I think he's a second rate Alice Cooper wannabe (not musically you understand, but showmanship)