The huge array of lights surrounding the stage become a show of their own (not to mention the giant fire towers). Although I am standing at the back, the vibe from the show is felt all the way through the entire crowd.
Even if you don't like their music, their stage show will make your eyes unable to leave the stage. Song after song, lead singer Corey Taylor screams his lungs out, as well as actually singing, proving his voice to be as outstanding as it appears. The rest of the band continuously play as if their life depend on it, showing their energy as nothing but pure adrenalin.
Drummer Joey Jordison even has his own moment when him and his drum kit are raised on a podium, spun around at a 90 degree angle, during which Joey plays with perfect precision.
Putty in the hand of this band, the audience answer to Corey's every whim, crouching down and jumping altogether during 'Spit It Out'.
'Wait and Bleed', the band's biggest single to date, is the least heaviest track of the night but it showcases Corey's voice...along with the audiences voices too.
After the encore, the crowd are told to stay sick and take care. A contradiction in terms maybe but a brilliant example of this band.
Do not doubt them for their comedy masks, incessant 'trying to be metal', or their kiddie fanbase. Slipknot are true musicians, true showman. They want you to enjoy their shows. It is impossible not to with the amount of energy they incorporate. Before tonight, I saw this band as a stupid, screaming circus act. How wrong can you be?
Slipknot - London Docklands Arena
They are metal. Iowa was, indeed, totally uncommercial. Truly. They made sure of it. Almost. One of the few punk outfits that ever made it work.
Metal purists hate them because they don't stand for what metal truly means. Whatever.
The subtle onlooker sees a bunch of idiots dressed like a fucked-up boyband, screaming and battering their instruments. And rightly so.
Anyone who just listens to it anonymously should be impressed by their contrived, but essentially fun, bullshit. It's actually quite good music.
Random: They haven't sold out in the traditional sense. Instead they sold out by trying not to sell out. The quintessence of not selling out is to do what's natural to you. They TRIED not to sell out - unnatural and contrived.
I hate Andrew WK. Yet I love Slipknot. They're so similar, so fake, yet I am left wondering where that line was that someone stepped over.
Slipknot - London Docklands Arena
Joey
is incredible. That's reason enough to give Slipknot the respect they deserve, even if it is grudgingly.