My top seven Slipknot songs ranked: least to most favorite Blog Post #10

   In contrast to my usual, feminist, activist, and health orientated online persona, I am a maggot. Before anyone jumps to conclusions, no, I'm not a insect, although I think we can all agree finals week has everyone buggin'. What I am however, is a massive Slipknot fan (otherwise known as a maggot). Circa 1995 in Des Moines Iowa, Slipknot was born, and their first album was released in 1999, that was named after the band itself. Following this album release, they would go on to release seven studio albums, hence why I will be discussing my top seven Slipknot songs, and why. 

#7 Psychosocial- Every time I listen to this song I remember my eighth grade self thrashing around my room with absolute joy with this song in my ears for the first time. The song is timeless, and the lyrics sound like pure poetry, with the chorus going:

"And the rain will kill us all"

"Throw ourselves against the wall"

"And no one else can see"

"The preservation of the martyr in me"(Slipknot, Psychosocial, All Hope is Gone)

 This song for me, has so many good memories associated to it, but the reason why it's number seven is although it's a classic, musically, this piece sounds a little generic, and even though it was one of my favorite Slipknot songs in the beginning of my journey as a maggot, so many other songs have so much more power and rawness to it.

#6 Snuff: In my opinion, this is one of the best breakup songs of all time, not just because of it's melodic, balled like lyrics and melody, but the story behind the song itself. It was disclosed to the public, that this song was about Corey Taylor, the lead singer of Slipknot, divorcing his first wife because of their mutual substance issues and torn relationship. There was a time in my life where I thought my heart had been broken beyond repair, and listening to this song felt like the embodiment of every single heartbreak I'd ever experienced forged into a lovely, bitter yet beautiful, metal song. Although it hurt to listen to, listening to the song reminded me life goes on, and it's okay to hurt after losing someone you love. This song is placed at number six because this song doesn't just represent a hard time in a musician's life, but a hard time in my life, and because of that, one can only be reminded of their heartache so often.

#5 Duality: The very first Slipknot song I ever listened to, and after that I was a changed woman.  Whether it was the fast tempo, the loud, scream-like delivery of the vocals, or percussion that just made you wanna get up and either head bang or start a riot, I was in love. This song is number five, because of it's very danceable, or should I say, headbangable, beat, but as my tastes have matured, I've become slighter fonder of other songs.

#4 Vermillion P.1-P.2:

Although they are two separate tracks, hence why there's a part one and two, they are regarded by the masses of Slipknot fans, as well as myself, as one song. To me, the reason why I like this song so much is because of the story it tells. In the lyrics of Vermillion Part one, using fast tempos, lyrics delivered in an insanity driven obsession from Corey Taylor's perspective, as a man hopelessly obsessed with a woman, probably a female lover, the lyrics going along the lines of:

"I'm a slave and I am a master

No restrants and unchecked collectors

I exist through my need to self oblige

She is something in me that I despise" (Slipknot, Vermillion, Vol.3: The Subliminal Verses)

 What these lyrics suggest to me is that the man, Corey, feels although he has power over his lady in the relationship, he feels imprisoned through his devious devotion and obsession to her. Because of his need to "self-oblige" he feels that he is a slave to his desires, but a master because they are his desires. In part two the entire premise of it changes. The percussion dwindles, and is instead placed with melancholy acoustic guitar part, and downtrodden, achey vocals. The story he is telling now is about his acceptance with losing her, the lyrics going as follows:

" She is everything to me"

" An unrequited dream"

"A song that no one sings"

"The unattainable"

"She's a myth that I have to believe in"

"The only thing I need to make it real is one more reason"- (Slipknot, Vermillion Pt. 2, Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses)

  What these lyrics suggest is that now he is admitting to himself, that the love, or obsession he had for her cannot continue, because his emotions are not requited. This beautiful, messy, manifesto of a piece really illustrates the journey of what it's like to love deeply, and to lose. This song is number four to me because as someone who loves deeply, this piece resonates with me, unlike any other could. 

#3 Custer: Transitioning from deep songs about love, this one is more so of a thrashable, catchy, yet hopelessly vulgar metal song. For those sensitive to coarse language this piece is not for you, because the "f-word" is reported is used nearly eighty-some times. Historically every band has some songs that hit close to home, hit hard, or hit you funny bone, and this song absolutely does the latter for me. 

If anyone is daring enough, you can get a good listen of this song on Youtube, here. Listen at your own risk ;)

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 #2 Eyeless: This song, is arguably one of Slipknots more heavy tracks, with this track involving straight up screaming the lyrics, crunchy electric guitar and delicious, speedy, yet strong percussion. This song is number two for me, because as someone that has anxiety, sometimes a very loud, screamy song helps me calm down.

#1 Killpop: As someone who is very romantic, and a metal head, naturally a piece about love would be my favorite. In this piece, instead of having a deep complexity in emotions, tempos, and lyrics like Vermillion, this one has more of a steady, active, balled-like vibe but the lyrics are still just as equally beautiful as they are haunting. If interested in hearing them yourself, you can listen here below

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 Slipknot is one of my favorite artists in the history of metal, and to anyone wanting to listen to their sound or dip into the genre of heavy metal entirely, I can ensure that either won't be a waste of your time.