Slipknot [ tickets ] is known for its violent lyrics and outspoken, no-holds-barred interviews, but drummer Jordy Jordison was unusually subdued when speaking about the success of the band's sophomore effort, "Iowa."

The album, which had been postponed several times during the summer before its Aug. 28 release, debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 album chart after selling more than 250,000 copies its first week. It has since dropped to No. 12.

Jordison stammered a bit when asked about the album's success.

"I�m just at a loss for words. I want to give it the right say and stuff, but the thing is, you can�t do it justice," he said in a recent phone call from his Des Moines-area home. "All I can say is that we're all very ecstatic right now and all we want to do is thank our fans."

The buzz surrounding Slipknot grew over the last year thanks to its growing popularity as a live act, and "Iowa" (Roadrunner/Island/Def Jam) was one of the most anticipated records of the year. The band's gritty 1999 self-titled debut attracted metal fans without the benefit of radio or video airplay. The proof was visible at Ozzfest shows, during which the band--whose members go by Nos. 0-8--played on the main stage, and thousands of fans attended in the group's trademark jumpsuits and gory, rubber masks.

"Metallica never made a video or had airplay either," Jordison said. "They made a career for themselves. You don�t need that stuff. That's what people think you need. That's the easy way out.

"[Heavy airplay on radio and MTV] burns a band out a lot faster than laying the groundwork the right way. For a metal band--especially for [one] as extreme as we are--the best thing to get our fans is to go out and play live."

That�s exactly what Slipknot is going to do beginning Sept. 21 in Denver, when it kicks off the Pledge of Allegiance tour with Mudvayne, System of a Down and various others. It's touring in support of "Iowa," which according to Jordison, the band purposely recorded under duress, to capture the urgency of its live shows.

"We recorded just like we did a live show in this little 9 x 9 sweat box. When everybody would bang their heads, everyone would get pelted with someone else�s sweat. I wanted it to get that fire on the tape. If I can�t capture that vibe, it�s gonna be a sterile kind of record. We make our records very unconventionally."

The recording process was unconventional--and uncomfortable--for producer Ross Robinson. Just before Slipknot hit the studio, Robinson broke his back in a Motocross accident. Jordison admitted that he was concerned that Robinson�s injury would delay "Iowa," but he was surprised at how quickly Robinson returned to work.

"The poor guy. He broke his damn back. I was so worried for him. He took one day off and he was at the studio the next day. It was unreal. He was in a lot of pain. He recorded a lot of the record laying on his back."

"Iowa" is a collection of dirgy, pummeling guitars with vocalist Corey Taylor's banshee-like wails. With song titles like "People Equal S---," "The Heretic Anthem" and "I Am Hated," it rivals "Slipknot" (Roadrunner) in the hatred department. It's the title track that sticks out, however--an epic barrage of percussion that wraps up the album.

"It�s everybody's favorite song," said Jordison. "That's my mom's favorite. She listens to it six times a day. She's like, 'That's the song.'"

Click here for liveDaily's story on the Pledge of Allegiance tour.