We Are Not Your Kind is one of my top anticipated albums of 2019, and Slipknot did not disappoint me!
Sometimes when you wait a long time for something, the end result doesn't quite live up to your expectation. Well, I can happily report that isn't the case with Slipknot's sixth studio album, We Are Not Your Kind. In fact, for me it has surpassed even my wildest dreams of what the Iowan 9 would ever do, they've both gone back to basics in their sound, while at the same time pushed the envelope and experimenting just enough to create an amazing hybrid, that reminds you of who they were, and where they are going. 
We are Not Your Kind flows amazingly well, the transitions between tracks is flawless and feels like they help build into one another, meaning We Are Not Your Kind is best listened to in one sitting.
But I won't go as far to call it a concept album, as far as I can tell there is no overlapping story to be told, just Slipknot doing their own thing: making awesome tunes, kicking arse and not giving a single fuck. The first half of We Are Not Your Kind feels like old school Slipknot, you know, the Iowa levels of heavy that was promised by Corey Taylor in the lead up. While in the latter there seems to be a bit more in the way of experimentation, but nothing to scare the long standing fans away, more to keep them interested (I'm looking at you 'Spiders'). 
Finding my three favourite moments off We Are Not Your Kind was next to impossible, the whole album is pure musical awesomeness, but finally found them I did.
First off we have 'Unsainted', which is the perfect track to start a Slipknot album with its heavy moments that hit with the force of a sledge hammer, but it's the anthem like chorus that takes the song to another level, 'Unsainted' is some of Slipknot's best work and you can see why it was chosen to be the lead single (off the album anyway). Next up has to be 'Orphan', it has a great slow intro with elements of 80's Metal, before the band speed things up and 'Orphan' starts proper, the vocals force their way through the musical onslaught and the two mix well. 'Orphan' sounds to me like it could have been some long lost b-side written around the time of Slipknot (debut album) that has finally seen the light of day. I just quickly have to touch on the truly out there 'Spiders'. It marks the most experimental Slipknot have ever been in their careers and the song itself is awesome, the low end guitar riffs we are used to associating with the band are gone and have been replaced with creepy piano playing, but doesn't loose any of its intensity.
Finally, I can't review We Are Not Your Kind without mentioning the monster at the end... 'Solway Firth'. This track is a beast, while I love 'Unsainted', it still comes second place to 'Firth'.
The build up at the start with the folksy Taylor croning, the almost sudden change up where you can't help but headbang, the singing, the music... there is nothing to dislike on this tune. Plus the lyrics are powerful, 'Solway' is a depression killer, the energy it gives off is immense and fills the listener with something I can't quite explain in words, it just needs to be heard. 
Even though it doesn't feel like it, we have waited a long five years for .5: The Gray Chapter's follow up, and every moment was worth it, We Are Not Your Kind is better than I, or anyone could have ever hoped for.
If Slipknot were to call time on the band and end it all here, I can't think of a better way to do it, fortunately that's not the case just yet. Slipknot may not be the young hell raisers they once were, but this record proves there is still a place in this world for them and their music. 9/10 Written by a Maggot for Life, Dan.
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