That is, until now. Several members are baring their faces in some side projects, like Joey Jordison’s – a.k.a. Number 1 – Murderdolls. The new band has lined up a string of shows, starting with a gig in San Diego July 30. Dates stretch into the beginning of August.

For those looking for a more accessible version of Slipknot, be forewarned: while Murderdolls may share a member and similar core sounds, the two bands are not alike.

“To me, what’s the point? What would be the point of doing something remotely like Slipknot? I don’t play drums in this band, I don’t wear a mask in this band, and the music is polar opposite,” said Jordison.

“While still being heavy, it’s a breath of fresh air compared to what I normally do because it’s fun. It’s catchier, more easily digestible, and has that fun factor to it. And there’s nothing wrong with that because everything can’t be so heavy and depressed all the time.”

The “fun factor” Jordison speaks of is the band members’ shared love of horror flicks, which is reflected in their songs and stage show.

“There’s a lot of cool bands, a lot of bands with energy, but we’re going to take it home and do it right and people are going to be blown away,” said guitarist Tripp Eisen, who is also a member of Static-X. “We’re going to have the monsters, the horror, the sex, the trash, the violence – everything people need. And we’re going to do it better than anyone else is doing anything.”

The Murderdolls’ debut album, Beyond The Valley Of The Murderdolls, drops August 20.