Slipknot: We Are Not Your Kind

Last week, Slipknot began teasing something forthcoming on May 16th, the day before they were to appear on Jimmy Kimmel. It had been since October of 2014 since the Knot released a new album. Outside of the surprising “All Out Life” this past Halloween, we Maggots have been eagerly waiting new music for nearly five years.

Well, Thursday morning, May 16th, we were treated with a new video, new music, and the unveiling of new masks. The new song, Unsainted, has been met with mostly positive reviews, save those that were expecting a more “Iowa” feel. I have waited a few days to sit with the new music and interact with my fellow maggots online. So, is it good? Is it old-school? Is it the next step in the evolution of the band? Let’s find out.

Leading up to the release of this new song, Corey Taylor has said that the new album would be “Iowa levels of heavy.” Many fans took that to mean that it would be the angry onslaught that the 2001 album Iowa delivered. For many of us, me included, Iowa is the pinnacle of Slipknot excellence. However, I do not expect the Knot, nor do I want them, to ever return to Iowa. I say that for a few reasons.

First, When the band recorded Iowa, it nearly killed them. They were angry. They were dealing with personal demons. They were young. For them to ever produce anything on the level of Iowa would be asking the band to regress to a state that is not healthy. The beauty of that album is that it was genuine. It absolutely met the band where they were. There is no conceivable way for the band to return to that headspace that existed nearly twenty years ago.

Second, musicians, especially great ones, evolve. Slipknot is loaded with great musicians, a great vocalist, and a leader with a vision. People often say that a band has sold out when they no longer produce the music that they did in their infancy. Slipknot has NOT sold out. They have simply evolved. I, for one, don’t want Slipknot to try to produce Iowa 2.0 if they aren’t in that headspace. To do that would be disingenuous and simply not being who they are. Being “who they are” is what we love about them. Being what you want them to be is the sell out, and clearly against their code.

Finally, I have loved every album. Returning to one album would be selling the band short. Like it or not, Slipknot has had success with a multitude of different sounds. On the self titled album, the band had straight forward growling, melody with songs like Wait and Bleed, rapping with ‘Spit it Out” and “No Life.” Iowa was an assault- gloriously so. Volume 3 was an amazing venture into an album that offered something for everyone. “Pulse of the Maggots” swore allegiance to the fans. “Vermillion 1 and 2” was a clever video concept. “Duality” offered radio appeal. “Circle” was like nothing we had ever heard before. And yet, all worked as Slipknot. All Hope is Gone followed with fan favorite “Snuff,” and my personal favorite “Sulfur.” The album also produced many fans’ favorite “Psychosocial.” Still, amazing songs like “Gematria” harken back to their roots. Finally, .5 the Gray Chapter comes out with dedications to Paul Gray. Some would say they had gone soft, but they were clearly dealing with the loss of a good friend. Even still, .5 had some great ragers like “Custer,” “AOV,” and “Sarcastrophe.”

So, with that in mind, is ‘Unsainted,’ “Iowa levels of heavy?” No. A resounding no. Is that a bad thing? Of course not. “Unsainted” is but one song off of a 14 track album. Typically when a band releases songs, the first one is the most radio friendly and intended to also be new listener friendly. It is not a surprise that “Unsainted” is the first song released. It begins with an eerie choir, followed by #8’s soaring vocals, and then the onslaught of drums, growl and some excellent work from Sid. The song is fantastic and follows seamlessly from .5.

For those who question a choir with Slipknot, WHAT?!?!?! The choir is perfect here and eerie. Can you imagine a full choir joining the Knot on stage? I can, and it would be perfection. I know many are not fans of Corey adding the melody with a catchy chorus. I get it. Many point to the similarity to Stone Sour. It is there, but only on a minor scale. The bands are vastly different. Not allowing one of the most diverse singers on the planet to use his entire range for Slipknot would be a lost opportunity. I say bring on the attitude. Bring on the growl. And bring on the sonically driven chorus. It’s all undercut with amazing percussion and slick work by Craig and Sid.

Since Halloween, we have been treated to “All Out Life” and “Unsainted”, new masks and an impending tour. The songs feel inspired and are diverse and brilliant. When I first heard Slipknot, I was 30 years old. One of my 8th grade students introduced me. I am now 48. I understand how people change and grow. I’m on board with the change. Not sure how any person, let alone musician, would ever hope to remain in the space they occupied twenty years ago. Some may not like it, and I understand. I, however, can’t wait to see what’s next and hope to see even more change.

For sure, We Are Not Your Kind!

I posted my Slipknot Top 10 here.

Slipknot on Jimmy Kimmel- All Out Life

Sliplnot on Jimmy Kimmel- Unsainted