Whoever decided that Taylor’s searing vocal would cut off in the middle of the hook, allowing that guttural, syncopated guitar part to earn its momentary spotlight, deserves a pat on the back, or maybe a ticket to the Museum of the Weird. The best part of “Sulfur,” the propulsive fourth single off All Hope Is Gone, is the presence of restraint, particularly in the chorus.

As Slipknot hurtles along, its first fans wondered just how far this manic new band would push their hellish universe, and “Scissors” takes us right to the edge, peering down into the psychotic abyss.

The main track keeps the listener uncomfortable as Taylor muses about “playing doctor” and seeing someone splayed open - whether he’s discussing self-mutilation, dismembering someone else, or both, is never truly revealed. Technically, “Scissors” comprises only about eight minutes of the recording, which then features about five minutes of silence before the band is heard having a conversation while watching a graphic porno, followed by a secret song called “Eeyore,” which, in turn, has become a fan favorite. Many fans, lovingly called “Maggots,” will argue stranger is better when it comes to Slipknot, and it doesn’t get much more unhinged than “Scissors,” the macabre, 19-minute opus that finishes off the group’s indelible debut. It’s surely more radio-friendly, too, bolstered by a high-flying choir to neatly contrast Jim Root and Mick Thomson’s incendiary guitars and drummer Jay Weinberg’s double bass. While “All Out Life” (we’ll get to that tune in a moment) was the first new song to usher in this latest album cycle upon its Halloween 2018 release, “Unsainted” is nearly as effective as a reintroduction. Let’s begin with the band’s latest single, the addictive hellraiser “Unsainted,” which returns fans to the Slipknot’s patented merger of anthemic choruses rising from verses that hit like a ton of bricks. “Unsainted” ( We Are Not Your Kind, 2019) You need further convincing? Allow us to change your mind.ġ0. Okay, fine: They’ve always been a bunch of guys in masks and jumpsuits singing about humanity’s demons and impending death. But the music still stacks up against much of the best metal released in the last three decades, and Slipknot remain as one of the most unforgettable live acts in rock today. Slipknot Detail New Album 'We Are Not Your Kind' & Share 'Unsainted' Music Video: Watch

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