The Beauty of Anger I: Slipknot and the power of unconventionality
"Anger is not bad. Anger can be a very positive thing, the thing that moves us beyond the acceptance of evil." - Joan Chittister
Anger, often unjustly vilified among the core human emotions, is frequently linked to violence, malevolence, and intimidating imagery. From an early age, children are taught to suppress their anger, to avoid tantrums and outbursts. While this lesson is generally beneficial, there are instances where it becomes problematic. When repressing anger leads to tolerating mistreatment, the need arises not only to acknowledge anger but also to give it a voice. This series delves into the constructive role of anger in metal music, its capacity to challenge norms, articulate ideas, and, crucially, provide a healthy outlet for intense emotions that might otherwise remain concealed.
Growing up as a teenage girl in Puerto Rico, societal pressures demanded a facade of constant happiness. Conformity to being amiable, outgoing, and conventionally attractive was expected. Yet, I rebelled against this norm, seeking autonomy while still a minor. This rebellion drew me towards artists and bands that defied societal expectations. My initiation into this realm came through Slipknot.
Hailing from Des Moines, Iowa, Slipknot surged to prominence during the late 90s and early 2000s, coinciding with the peak of the nu-metal genre alongside acts like Limp Bizkit, Korn, and Linkin Park. While all these groups shared elements of alternative and hip-hop influences, Slipknot stood out for its incorporation of intense percussion, including the live use of metal kegs, and its weighty lyrical themes spanning nihilism, misanthropy, anger, psychosis, and discontent. Yet, two defining attributes
distinguished the band: their chaotic, electrifying live performances, and their adoption of macabre masks and coveralls to conceal their identities during their initial decade. For years, their members remained anonymous, recognized only by their music, vocals, and the ferocity of their shows. This anonymity, coupled with their disregard for conventions, facilitated their unbridled expression and garnered them a mainstream following.
Corey Taylor, lead singer of the band, explains in a BBC interview, "The mask has always been that physical representation of the person inside me who just never had a voice. It allows me to be me...You take it away and it comes back to just my bare face, there are niceties, manners, morals, rules, there are all these things that come into life. When it comes to the mask, all bets are off and you can let that animal off the chain." And off the chain, they let the animals out indeed. Branded as the world's most provocative band, they earned notoriety for performances so intense that injuries were common, and they pushed their physical limits, enduring heat-drenched jumpsuits at summer festivals.
While they faced criticism from one sector of the music world, they amassed a fervent fanbase elsewhere. The late rapper XXXTentacion cited Slipknot as an influence, Ski Mask the Slump God sampled their music, and even Rihanna declared them her favorite band. This seemingly unusual admiration from musicians outside the metal scene is quite logical. In an industry often seeing a struggle between artistic expression and commercial success, Slipknot shattered this dichotomy. They achieved global recognition while preserving their values, image, and musical vision. They secured a Grammy without crafting songs centered on hedonism, unlike many peers post-fame. What was once perceived as a drawback, they transformed into a recipe for triumph. Their identity concealment and defiance of norms worked inspiring numerous artists to defy conventional business wisdom and predictive models for musical success. Despite untimely deaths and lineup changes, the band continues to tour. It wouldn't be surprising if, in the coming years, Slipknot garners the same reverence and esteem as legendary acts like Black Sabbath and the Thrash Big Four.
Sources:
Corporation, British Broadcasting, director. Slipknot on Why They Wear Masks | Artsnight - BBC. YouTube, YouTube, 3 Feb. 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BGT1DzxIXI&t=215s. Accessed 11 Aug. 2023.
Hitt, Tarpley. “Slipknot’s Class-Conscious Rage Is More Potent than Ever.” The Daily Beast, 17 Aug. 2019, www.thedailybeast.com/how-slipknots-revolting-class-conscious-rage-became-the-perfect-soundtrack-for-2019?ref=scroll.
Records, Roadrunner. “Slipknot - People=Shit (Live).” YouTube, 29 Oct. 2009, www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6ZtHrWiSAk&pp=ygUVc2xpcGtub3QgcGVvcGxlPSBsaXZl.
Anger, often unjustly vilified among the core human emotions, is frequently linked to violence, malevolence, and intimidating imagery. From an early age, children are taught to suppress their anger, to avoid tantrums and outbursts. While this lesson is generally beneficial, there are instances where it becomes problematic. When repressing anger leads to tolerating mistreatment, the need arises not only to acknowledge anger but also to give it a voice. This series delves into the constructive role of anger in metal music, its capacity to challenge norms, articulate ideas, and, crucially, provide a healthy outlet for intense emotions that might otherwise remain concealed.
Growing up as a teenage girl in Puerto Rico, societal pressures demanded a facade of constant happiness. Conformity to being amiable, outgoing, and conventionally attractive was expected. Yet, I rebelled against this norm, seeking autonomy while still a minor. This rebellion drew me towards artists and bands that defied societal expectations. My initiation into this realm came through Slipknot.
Hailing from Des Moines, Iowa, Slipknot surged to prominence during the late 90s and early 2000s, coinciding with the peak of the nu-metal genre alongside acts like Limp Bizkit, Korn, and Linkin Park. While all these groups shared elements of alternative and hip-hop influences, Slipknot stood out for its incorporation of intense percussion, including the live use of metal kegs, and its weighty lyrical themes spanning nihilism, misanthropy, anger, psychosis, and discontent. Yet, two defining attributes
Corey Taylor, lead singer of the band, explains in a BBC interview, "The mask has always been that physical representation of the person inside me who just never had a voice. It allows me to be me...You take it away and it comes back to just my bare face, there are niceties, manners, morals, rules, there are all these things that come into life. When it comes to the mask, all bets are off and you can let that animal off the chain." And off the chain, they let the animals out indeed. Branded as the world's most provocative band, they earned notoriety for performances so intense that injuries were common, and they pushed their physical limits, enduring heat-drenched jumpsuits at summer festivals.
While they faced criticism from one sector of the music world, they amassed a fervent fanbase elsewhere. The late rapper XXXTentacion cited Slipknot as an influence, Ski Mask the Slump God sampled their music, and even Rihanna declared them her favorite band. This seemingly unusual admiration from musicians outside the metal scene is quite logical. In an industry often seeing a struggle between artistic expression and commercial success, Slipknot shattered this dichotomy. They achieved global recognition while preserving their values, image, and musical vision. They secured a Grammy without crafting songs centered on hedonism, unlike many peers post-fame. What was once perceived as a drawback, they transformed into a recipe for triumph. Their identity concealment and defiance of norms worked inspiring numerous artists to defy conventional business wisdom and predictive models for musical success. Despite untimely deaths and lineup changes, the band continues to tour. It wouldn't be surprising if, in the coming years, Slipknot garners the same reverence and esteem as legendary acts like Black Sabbath and the Thrash Big Four.
Sources:
Corporation, British Broadcasting, director. Slipknot on Why They Wear Masks | Artsnight - BBC. YouTube, YouTube, 3 Feb. 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BGT1DzxIXI&t=215s. Accessed 11 Aug. 2023.
Hitt, Tarpley. “Slipknot’s Class-Conscious Rage Is More Potent than Ever.” The Daily Beast, 17 Aug. 2019, www.thedailybeast.com/how-slipknots-revolting-class-conscious-rage-became-the-perfect-soundtrack-for-2019?ref=scroll.
Records, Roadrunner. “Slipknot - People=Shit (Live).” YouTube, 29 Oct. 2009, www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6ZtHrWiSAk&pp=ygUVc2xpcGtub3QgcGVvcGxlPSBsaXZl.
This is incredible! Keep it up :)
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