Posted about Vended before this. Weird huh? You would have thought I'd be screaming about our first new track from the Knot in two years but no, let Vended have the limelight for a few minutes before this one comes out. The Chapeltown Rag is a journey of aggression that only Slipknot could create, with impressive blast beats, a brilliantly invigorated vocal performance, and some brilliant moments for some more under appreciated members of the Nine. Let's talk about it.
This track is a bit all over the place, but i think that's what it's meant to be. On a track all about the collision of social media and medias already aggressive approach to shoving shit down your throat, The Chapeltown Rag is by no means a track without a solid backbone. I'm so glad they decided to release this single at the time they did, allowing it to grow on fans before they debuted it at Knotfest LA, it was such a cool way to let fans get to know this behemoth of a track before it took mainstage - and although the whole NFT release sneak peek thing was a bit underwhelming, it was still a great way to drum up the hype for the new track.
I have only three words to describe what i want to talk about first. Jay 'fuckin Weinburg. Holy shit man, that guy knows how to handle a drum kit. This song is yet more evidence to the fact that Jay is the strongest addition to the band since Joey's ousting back after AHIG. The Chapeltown Rag lets him flex some absolutely iconic Joey style blast beats that absolutely thunder through this impressive almost five minute track, and take it in such a stunning direction sonically that i can't get enough of.
It feels like Slipknot really know where they want to do and where to explore with this new track. Although all over the place, it seems nonetheless concise, with each change feeling perfectly deserved, each cutting riff and slam on the snare creating a gorgeous cacophany of sheer noise and chaos. The way the bass weaves forward and back in the listeners ear us masterful, and yet more proof that Vman is here to stay, as his licks are one of the focal pieces of the track. The percussion in this track is also impressive, really helping to eccenuate the brilliant work Jay is putting in behind the kit, and brings this really thunderous feeling to a lot of the more climactic parts of the track.
I really didn't think i'd ever say this but fuck, Corey Taylors voice has somehow improved? From the gravely screams of WANYK his voice has seemingly come full circle back to Iowa, but somehow even better. His screams are sharp and his vocal delivery is dynamic, im so glad he's found a way to have that same delivery without the need for drink or drugs. Slipknot have achieved their full sober potential, and i couldn't be happier that this is where they are.
(The Chapeltown Rag - Slipknot 2021)
This song goes off live too, and although its ironic a lot of people tuned in online for a first listen to the track all about the dangers of online mass marketing, it didn't detract from the brilliant first performance from the nine on stage. The entirety of Knotfest LA was really awesome, with stand out performances from New Guy, who's vocals i think have really improved, along with my first glimpse at Corey's new WANYK V.2. It's fucking beautiful, and just as creepy as i remember it being when i first saw it, but he wasn't the only one with a new look. Jay debuted his brand knew chilling white mask, which in my opinion is one of his best. I loved his mask previously, but felt like he needed to break away from the burlap of the Grey Chapter era and really have something that's his own. The mouth is similar both to that of Vman's, and also beloved youtuber The House of Masks new V3 signature, but i love the overall look of it and am excited to see where it goes next. Clown also debuted a new mask during Vermillion, a new reflective mask with red lips, which i also really dig. He seems to be pulling out a lot of new masks, like the almost crumpled purple neon variant as well as the solid red chrome clown that he seems to be relying on for this leg of the tour. I'm ready to see where this phase of the bands evolution ends and a new one begins, and hope to see something new soon, even if i do have to wait a while for anything new to rear its head.
(From Guitarist Mick Thompson's wife Stacey's Instagram @staceyseven)
TL:DR - It's been a while, but totally fucking worth it for this track and a new stage in the evolution of Slipknots sound. This is definately enough to tide fans over for a while before the new album release date is dropped, so im looking forward to the next steps for the band.
SCORE - 8/10
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