Single Review: Slipknot - 'The Chapeltown Rag'

 

Back in March of 2021, Corey Taylor hinted at something new from Slipknot, saying it had “everything you would want from a Slipknot project”. Taylor also said that the new project would remind people why they love Slipknot. We now have a taster of what Slipknot is brewing with their new single ‘The Chapeltown Rag’. ‘The Chapeltown Rag’  is a brilliant release from Slipknot after over 2 years, because of its simplicity. The song doesn’t take the average Slipknot listener too far out of their comfort zone and manages to still be exciting. This is an out for blood, full-throttle Slipknot banger and there’s no other way to put it.


‘The Chapeltown Rag’ opens with electronic sounds before the drums and vocals enter. Everything drops out as the guitar riff enters, taking us back to the classic Slipknot sound we all know and love. The verse goes half-time, with Corey Taylor’s iconic vocal sound. The short stabs of double kick in the driving drum beat give us every reason to headbang, especially with the additions of the blast beats in the pre-chorus. The marching snare that Jay Weinberg plays under the scratchy, electronic sounds creates a really cool atmosphere, and build the suspense leading into the next section. One of my favourite parts of ‘The Chapeltown Rag’ is the breakdown in the outro. The track begins to fade before launching into a heavy breakdown section. There is a real driving energy all over this song that, in some ways, is unique to Slipknot. They are able to take their listeners to the most uncomfortable of places, which has earned them a place as one of the most unique metal bands of the last 30 years, along with one of the most dedicated fan bases of any artist. 


‘The Chapeltown Rag’ is arguably one of Slipknot’s heaviest releases since ‘Iowa’. The song perfectly taps into all the elements that people like about Slipknot, which shows that Slipknot is continuing to cater to what their fans enjoy, while also pushing boundaries and making their fans delve into uneasy waters. 

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