toronto, canada - august 17, 2024

Slipknot has evidently been around for 25 years with their absolute professionalism and expertise on the stage, but with their intense energy, they feel nearly as fresh as their 1995 beginning. The group known for their jarring costumes, complete with horror-esque masks and red jumpsuits, is one of the defining bands of the nu-metal genre. Establishing their sound of classic metal origins along with unique, modern turntable scratching,

The set consisted of primarily deep cuts as Corey Taylor announced as the tour was for the true fans, known as Maggots. From opening with tracks”(sic)” and “Eyeless” from their 1999 self-titled album, the band played through Slipknot almost in chronological order. Between every few songs, Sid Wilson, the master of the turn tables scratched interludes consisting of children’s voices begging the crowd to “play with them,” and play with them the crow did. Throughout the sea of fans, all that could be seen was hair thrashing and matching red jumpsuits (and oddly enough, two banana-costumed individuals).

Slipknot not only knows how to put on a show, but down to the details the band knows how to keep cohesion. Before the band took to the stage, a bundle of crew mates stormed the stage to set up the intricate vision on stage. Complete with a makeshift “truck” built of tom drums, a second platform for turntables and drums, and decorative weaponry. Anticipating a set full of pyrotechnics and over-the-top set assistance is unnecessary, even without these elements Slipknot holds its own with enigmatic stage presence and soundtracks.

The massive “Slipknot” backdrop fell and the crowd absolutely erupted. The previously pacified, patient audience blew up with what felt like hundreds crowd surfing and a hole immediately opened for the mosh. Despite the general public’s general fear of Slipknot since their genesis, the intricacies of their aesthetic is what drew them to legacy. The cohesion of gag-worthy masks and red jumpsuits between the 9 members made for enough distinction between the characters while simultaneously blurring together. The show grew from a simple concert to an immersive experience from the moment they stepped out on stage. You would hardly know there were people behind the masks as their stage characters took over as almost unfathomable beings.

A personal favorite member of the group, the percussionist known as The Tortilla Man; with comedic bits of chasing crew members along the stage, climbing all corners of the set, and falling on top of lights after rabidly headbanging on his drums. Corey Taylor commands the show with ease, with sinister-sounding laughs, and often joins in simultaneous screaming with those known as “Clown” and “The Tortilla Man”.