Mate.Feed.Kill.Repeat was released independently in October 31, 1996, by Slipknot. It was a limited edition release, but copies have since been found on the Internet. The album features a more traditional death metal sound than the sound of the band's later albums.
A different version of "Slipknot" appeared on Slipknot as "(sic)", and a largely rewritten version of "Gently" appeared on Iowa.