Premise: Donald S. `` Donnie '' Steele ( born October 6 , 1971 ) is an American heavy metal musician . Born in Des Moines , Iowa , he is best known as one of two original guitarists in Slipknot . Slipknot (band) . After several lineup changes in its early years , the band settled on nine members for more than a decade : Corey Taylor , Mick Thomson , Jim Root , Paul Gray , Craig Jones , Sid Wilson , Shawn Crahan , Chris Fehn and Joey Jordison . Gray died on May 24 , 2010 , and was replaced from 2011 -- 2014 by former guitarist Donnie Steele . After the departure of Jordison , the only founding member in the current lineup is percussionist Crahan ; the other remaining members of Slipknot have been members since the release of the band 's 1999 eponymous debut album .
Hypothesis: Slipknot is a solo musician.
Label: CONTRADICTION