Slipknot "We Are Not Your Kind" Album Review

By: James Southworth
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

There aren't that many metal bands out there right now that can fill up stadiums, as well as be recognized by people who aren't even interested in the metal genre. Slipknot is one of those rare bands, and I'd say their widespread recognition is well-deserved. The band isn't perfect by any means, but they have quite a great discography to back them up. Their debut album really had them kicking down the doors with an innovative sound, "Iowa" saw them going brutally nihilistic in a very enjoyable way, "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses" was a wonderful combination of mainstream rock and their roots (as well as still their best album for me), and "The Gray Chapter" was an excellent return to form for the band. The only album of theirs I am more lukewarm on is "All Hope Is Gone". After a nice, long five-year break, Slipknot is back with their newest album "We Are Not Your Kind". Guitarist Jim Root expressed how the band really wanted to make something that felt like a full album experience, with each song feeling purposeful. I think that the band pretty much accomplished that purpose, as this new release is easily one of their best albums to date, as well as one of their most surprising.

The general concept around "We Are Not Your Kind" is lead vocalist Corey Taylor's struggles with depression, and how he has tried to claw his way out of it. It's really no secret that Taylor (as well as the rest of the band) have struggled with mental health. "Iowa" in particular shows their struggles in often painstakingly dark ways. However, I feel like this new album might be the band's most mature look and compelling study of it, with some of the band's best lyrics and musicality ever. The album begins on a fittingly eerie note with intro track "Insert Coin", which has the opening line "I'm counting all the killers". It's definitely an interesting line to get you hooked in, and I think the line makes more sense as the album progresses. Lead single "Unsainted" is the first full song on the album, and I think it's a perfect way to begin. This song has everything you could want out of the more catchy side of Slipknot. The chorus of this track is unbelievably infectious, and the guitar work really cuts deep. Corey Taylor's vocals are on point, and the drumming shatters your ear drums in the best way possible. This song is undeniably Slipknot, but still sounds entirely distinguishable from other tracks by the band. I find it interesting that depression is portrayed as a religious extremist in this song, with Corey angrily saying "You killed the saint in me/How dare you martyr me?". It's an interesting way to say that his depression was going to lead him to kill himself. I like the addition of the children's choir in this track, as it adds a sense of epic gravitas that works incredibly well. After this comes "Birth of the Cruel", which definitely shows the harder side of Slipknot. In promoting this album, the band talked about how a lot of tracks on here would be more of a return to the band's "Iowa" sound. This song is definitely an example of that, as there are some excellent screams from Corey and some slamming guitar riffs. This song just can't be denied, as its anger is palpable and bone-chilling. This song is followed by the eerie minute-long interlude "Death Because of Death". There are several interludes on this album, and this is definitely the one that works the best. I love the atmosphere this song has, and almost wish it were a little longer.

Then comes what is one of the biggest highlights on the album, "Nero Forte". This one is sure to become an instant favorite of Slipknot fans, and it's obvious to see why. This song is so much fun. The guitar work will get you instantly banging your head along, and the drumming is absolutely relentless here. The verses have Corey's signature fast-paced screaming style, and that put an immediate smile on my face. This song feels like a sort of spiritual successor to "Psychosocial", and that's not a bad thing at all. The chorus really seals the deal on the song, as it's one of the easiest on the album to get stuck in your head. Another absolute jam comes after this in the amazing "Critical Darling". The lyrics in this song are really intriguing to me: "What is coming has begun/It's something that you gotta see/We lie and say that it’s too late for some redemption". Corey's singing style in this song is also really cool, as it reminds me of Stone Sour. "A Liar's Funeral" bleeds with emotion as Corey discusses the people who weren't truly there for him during his depression. He also seems to call out unfair stereotypes associated with depressed people in what is some of the best writing on the album: "True victims and survivors learn to make war/Don't wanna be the sad man singing anymore/I did it all wrong so I'd get it all right/We're wasting all the candles, the dead need no light". The heartbreaking emotion behind these lyrics comes through clearly with Corey's audible pain. What I appreciate a lot about this album is that it knows how to have fun at points while also being balanced with songs that are legitimately raw. After this vulnerable track comes the absolute barn burner "Red Flag", one that I am quite confident will do well in a live setting. "Spiders" shows the first big instant of experimentation on the album, as it has more of a groove metal feel. I absolutely love it, and it sounds like it should be played at every Halloween party in October.

Great track after great track finishes up this album. "Orphan" is definitely the most traditional Slipknot song on the album, one that feels like it could fit on almost any of their other albums. The band are all in their element here, and it shows. This song is over six minutes, and it doesn't feel like any of it is wasted. It stays constantly fun and engaging, and the lyrics add an intriguing layer. I feel like Corey might be saying here that he feels like he doesn't know who he is without depression; he feels more empty and like there's no one to turn to. The pain here is once again very front and center, with Corey's screams cutting through like a knife. The honesty of Corey's pain about his depression comes full force in "Not Long For This World". This song made me quite emotional, as Taylor is really just pouring out his heart hear. In fact, it's so vulnerable that it can make one feel like they are walking in on a private moment that they shouldn't have any part of. It would be hard for a listener to not at least feel something while listening to this. And then finally comes "Solway Firth", which in my opinion is the best song on the album, as well as one of the absolute best songs of 2019. When I think of "Iowa" levels of heavy, this is the song that will always come to mind. Corey Taylor repeats the line that appeared at the beginning of the album: "I'm counting all the killers". At this point, I think it's clear what this means. He's talking about all the people or things that tried to "kill" him while he had depression. He once again calls out those who weren't there for him during his depression, and he continues to refute the stigmas that society puts on those who have depression. I like how defiant Corey is on this song, saying that he doesn't have to share his "reasons" for having depression in order to be treated like a normal human being. I appreciate the message being shared here, as it's a universally important one. Musically, this song is golden. The guitar riffs here really stick out, as they bring to mind a classic metal feel. Corey's screams are absolutely guttural, and this song never lets up on the energy. This was a rather huge way to end the album, and I'm glad the band didn't go halfway.

There aren't too many things to complain about on "We Are Not Your Kind". I do feel that the interlude "What's Next" could've maybe been taken out. Also, some of the longer songs do slightly overstay their welcome, such as "Critical Darling" and "Not Long For This World". Though I don't dislike the song, "My Pain" feels like a bit of an outlier on the album. I do appreciate the experimental feel it has, but it does sort of stick out. Overall though, this album is superb. I love how Slipknot has never been the type of band to put themselves into a confined box, and this release continues to be proof of that. For that reason, this release is going to be in my top albums of the year, and has a high recommendation from me, as it is a wonderful listen front to back!

Favorite Songs: "Solway Firth", "Nero Forte", "Orphan", "Unsainted", "Critical Darling", "Spiders"
Least Favorite Songs: "My Pain"