Review: Slipknot 'We Are Not Your Kind'

Slipknot ‘We Are Not Your Kind’ album artwork

Following the success of 2015’s .5: The Gray Chapter, a record which the band used to channel their pain and grief of the loss of a founding member and bassist Paul Gray, Slipknot have unleashed their latest effort, We Are Not Your Kind via Roadrunner Records. We Are Not Your Kind is a statement. This statement has been worn on the jumpsuit sleeves of extreme metal titans Slipknot since the late nineties. This band has flown the flag for the misunderstood, disenfranchised, and broken for 2 decades. 

Clocking in at just over an hour, this album is a 14 song barrage on the senses and emotions of the listener. From smash hit lead single ‘Unsainted’ to the ferocious onslaught of ‘Red Flag’, this group of masked men from Iowa not only demonstrate that they still have the fire that surrounded their earlier material, but that they can also push the boundaries of creativity similar to their critically acclaimed album Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses. 

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“I’m finally holding onto letting go”, vocalist and ring leader Corey Taylor furiously howls during the opening track ‘Unsainted’. Over the span of the last ten years, the band has dealt with losing 3 founding members; drumming legend Joey Jordison departed in late 2013, bassist Paul Gray tragically passed away during the summer of 2010, and most recently, the band has been dealing with a very public lawsuit with former percussionist Chris Fehn. Letting go of all of that, the band has put out potentially the best album of their career. 

Sonically speaking, the group is at an all-time high. Starting with guitar; Jim Root leaving Stone Sour and focusing 100% of his time on Slipknot is very obvious, the guitar work between him and Mick Thompson is as good as it’s ever been. Being a drummer myself, I’m always very critical of the drums, especially when it comes to a band as important to me as Slipknot. Jay Weinberg has supplanted himself as a perfect fit for this band. He brings a passion and power to the drums that haven’t been seen before. From insane double bass runs to weird time signature fills, he certainly is a fitting replacement, if not better than the estranged former drummer. Lastly, from a lyrical standpoint, this is the most honest Corey Taylor has been in nearly 2 decades. Having dealt with line-up changes, a divorce, and the current political/social climate, he has a lot to say and is very angry about all of it. Angry Corey is the best Corey. It’s no secret that Taylor has become a legend in the rock/metal world, but this album shows that he is at the top of his game, and is one of the greatest metal vocalists of all time. 

There are stand out moments all over this album, but I’ve narrowed it down to my favorites;

‘Unsainted’ the second song (or first, if you’re not counting the intro track ‘Insert Coin’), is the lead single from this album. The song is ripe with the pummeling, aggressive verses and soaring choruses that we’ve missed from this band for years. The selection of this song to open the record with was a phenomenal choice. It is without a doubt the best song the band has produced since ‘Duality’. 

‘Nero Forte’, - Lead by a chainsaw-style guitar riff, this track has the most interesting vocal performance ever recorded by the band. From the guttural verses delivered at breakneck speed, to the eerie, falsetto chorus, it lends itself very nicely to fans of the band’s first two albums. The track even concludes with a “Psychosocial”-style breakdown with chanting and marching snares. The lyrics “I haven’t felt like this in years”, are the perfect way to sum-up the entire album.

‘Red Flag’ - My favorite from the album. It’s almost as if they titled it in such a way to make people pay attention. This track is exactly what attracted me to the band some fifteen-plus years ago. It’s 4 minutes of an unrelenting “fuck you”. The perfect Slipknot song. Hopefully, they play it live. 

‘Solway Firth’ - Putting arguably the best song on the record as the last track is an interesting choice, and I appreciate the band leaving the listener with a direct punch in the face. The second single from the album will definitely be a fan favorite for years to come.

In closing, this band has been through an almost insurmountable rough patch over the last few years. Putting out arguably your best work twenty years into your career, with one of the greatest metal albums of all time, Iowa, in your catalog. This record hits all of the marks of what makes Slipknot great, but also shows that the band still has the ambition and curiosity to try something different. Many critics and fans have stated that they should’ve hung up their masks years ago but, that’s not the style of this band. Much like their music, they are unrelenting and often surprising. This record should silence the naysayers. Slipknot will carry on, and they will continue to rip your head off.