A house in West Des Moines, Iowa, known in heavy metal history as the chaotic set for Slipknot's 2004 "Duality" music video, is scheduled for a foreclosure auction. The property, which was famously damaged by the band and hundreds of their fans during the video shoot, will be sold after the owners defaulted on a mortgage from 2005.
Key Takeaways
- A West Des Moines home used for Slipknot's "Duality" music video is set for a foreclosure auction on October 14.
- The Bank of New York initiated foreclosure proceedings after an alleged failure to pay a mortgage balance of $141,403.82.
- During the 2004 video shoot, the property sustained significant damage from the band and 416 fans.
- Slipknot's record label, Roadrunner Records, paid the homeowners $50,000 at the time to cover repair costs.
Property Details and Foreclosure Information
The single-family home is located at 1050 16th St. in West Des Moines, Iowa. Built 74 years ago, the house sits on a 0.77-acre lot and features three bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms, spanning 1,747 square feet. According to the Polk County Assessor's office, the property's assessed value for 2025 is $336,400.
Court records show that the Bank of New York foreclosed on the home in January. The legal action was taken after the owners allegedly failed to pay the remaining $141,403.82 on a mortgage that was taken out in September 2005. The former owners of the property could not be reached for comment on the matter.
The auction is scheduled to take place at 10:30 a.m. on October 14 at the John P. Sarcone Justice Center in downtown Des Moines. The Polk County Sheriff's Office, which manages the auction, has noted that a previous sale date of September 16 was postponed for an unspecified reason.
Understanding Foreclosure Auctions
The Polk County Sheriff's Office advises potential buyers that all sales are cash only and that properties are sold "caveat emptor," meaning "buyer beware." This indicates that purchasers assume all risks, including potential liens or unpaid taxes. The office cannot guarantee a clear title and recommends consulting a real estate attorney before bidding.
A Legendary Day in Music Video History
On March 27, 2004, the quiet suburban home was transformed into a scene of controlled chaos. Slipknot, a band formed in Des Moines in 1995, invited their fans, known as "maggots," to participate in the filming of the music video for their song "Duality."
The band issued a casting call, expecting around 50 people to attend. Instead, 416 fans from across North America, including one from Canada and another from California, arrived to take part. The shoot began early, with music starting at 7:40 a.m. as fans descended on the property.
"The idea was to create an atmosphere of 'pure insanity,'" director Tony Petrossian said at the time, explaining the concept was to show "every kid's dream to have their house invaded by their favorite rockers."
The Controlled Destruction
The video captures the ensuing mayhem as fans stormed the house. They are seen jumping from the garage roof, shattering a glass door and windows, and pulling down parts of the ceiling. Inside, the living room became a mosh pit while the band performed in their signature masks.
While the band had intended for the crowd to appear unhinged, the damage quickly became real. According to a report by MTV.com, the band's DJ, Sid Wilson, initiated the destruction by breaking the front window. Within minutes, fans had broken nearly every window in the house. A few minor injuries were reported, but no one required hospitalization.
Financial Impact of the Video
To compensate the homeowners for the extensive damage, Slipknot's record label, Roadrunner Records, paid them $50,000. This payment covered the costs of repairing broken windows, doors, ceilings, and other structural elements damaged during the single-day shoot.
The Enduring Legacy of 'Duality'
The music video was a massive success and became an iconic part of heavy metal culture. To date, the "Duality" video has accumulated more than 463 million views on YouTube. The song itself is one of Slipknot's most popular tracks, with over 1.02 billion streams on Spotify alone.
The track was featured on the album The Subliminal Verses, which also achieved significant commercial success. In its first week of release, the album sold 242,684 copies, debuting at number two on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. It has since sold over 1.78 million copies, making it the band's third best-selling album of their career.
The sale of the house offers a unique opportunity for a fan of the band to own a tangible piece of music history, forever linked to one of the most memorable music videos of the early 2000s.