Following the mammoth success of SLIPKNOT's 'Iowa' album the various band members took time to indulge in a string of side project ventures. Vocalist Corey 'Hangman' Taylor and rhythm guitarist Jim Root busied themselves outside of their main band with SUPEREGO, a band unit including PAINFACE and DOWNTHESUN drummer Danny Spain. This band project would undergo a series of publicly announced title changes from SUPEREGO to CLOSURE then to STONE SOUR, actually resurrecting the name of his band prior to SLIPKNOT.

Upfront of the album release the track 'Bother' would be used as part of the blockbuster 'Spiderman' movie soundtrack. Released in early September the album broke into the Billboard top 50 shifting 25,000 copies in its first week of sale.

Other activities outside of the confines of SLIPKNOT would see Taylor taking on the mantle of producer working with Chicago band SLITHERYN for an EP, Taylor also donating guest vocals. Taylor's association with SLITHERYN would mark the SLIPKNOT frontman first public unmasking, appearing minus trademark mask in the video 'Lost'.

STONE SOUR, supported by SINCH and CHEVELLE, toured North America to plug the album, commencing on September 27th in Illinois and running through until late December. However, Joel Ekman fractured his wrist and former Y&T, ALICE COOPER and MEGADETH drummer Jimmy DeGrasso filled in whilst he recuperated. DegRasso picked up the tour at Hartford, Connecticut on October 11th. The band's momentum continued unabated and by March of 2003 the debut was certified with gold sales status for 500,000 copies shifted since launch. Dates for the Spring saw POWERMAN 5000 and OUTSPOKEN as guests.

STONE SOUR united with MURDERDOLLS for a joint UK tour in July. Further exposure came with the inclusion of a previously unreleased track 'Inside The Cynic' from the eponymous album sessions would be included on the soundtrack to Horror movie 'Freddy Vs. Jason' in August.

STONE SOUR resumed action in December 2005, working with producer Nick Rasculinecz and utilising recording studios in Los Angeles owned by FOO FIGHTERS mainman Dave Grohl to craft a new album. However, in February drummer Joel Ekman was to relinquish his post to deal with family concerns and Roy Mayorga of SOULFLY repute stepped in to record drum tracks.

Throughout the summer months of 2006 STONE SOUR backed the reformed ALICE IN CHAINS in Europe. The band also put in a significant appearance at the METALLICA and KORN headlined 'Download' festival in Castle Donington, UK on June 10th. The group then jumped onto the KORN headlined 'Family Values' festivals for the summer, sharing a bill including DEFTONES, FLYLEAF and DIR EN GREY.

Upon its release in August the band's second record 'Come What(ever) May' scored a number 4 placing on the national US charts, selling over 81,000 copies in its first week. The album also charted in the UK, Finland, Switzerland and Australia. European dates in October and November saw support from FLYLEAF. The group then formed up the US 'Music As A Weapon' dates commencing November 15th in Providence, Rhode Island and concluding on December 22nd in Madison, Wisconsin, alongside DISTURBED, FLYLEAF and NONPOINT.

STONE SOUR's second album, 'Come What(ever) May', surpassed 500,000 units shipped on December 6th 2006), making it elligible to be certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

EVANESCENCE and STONE SOUR teamed up for the following Canadian dates in early January 2007. The band performed a notable live acoustic set in the studios of the Toronto, Canada radio station The Edge 102.1 FM on January 8th, these three songs including cover renditions of the ROLLING STONES 'Wild Horses' and POISON's 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn'.

STONE SOUR, LACUNA COIL and SHADOWS FALL teamed up for the North American 'Jägermeister Music Tour', kicking off on March 23rd in St. Paul, Minnesota.