Slipknot unleash ferocious new song 'The Chapeltown Rag' - listen

Partially inspired by the investigation into the Yorkshire Ripper murders

Slipknot
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 4th Nov 2021
Last updated 1st Dec 2021

Slipknot have unleashed their ferocious new single ‘The Chapeltown Rag’, which is partially inspired by the police investigation into the Yorkshire Ripper murders in the late 1970s and into 1980.

Described as ‘brimming with incandescent rage’ but with ‘sadness at its centre’, ‘The Chapeltown Rag’ takes its name from the Leeds suburb of Chapeltown, which was a stalking ground for Peter Sutcliffe.

Corey Taylor was inspired to write the song after watch The Ripper documentary about the Yorkshire Ripper on Netflix, which led to him to watch more serial killer documentaries after being sent down a rabbit hole by streaming service’s algorithm.

Corey says: “At that moment, everything was just kind of steering towards violence, or a history of violence.

“And it was just such a weird echo of social media. And the fact that social media tries to steer you towards violence or steer you towards the most toxic thing – the most toxic moment. So, I looked at it from that standpoint.”

Slipknot - 'The Chapeltown Rag'

‘The Chapeltown Rag’ is the name of a hypothetic newspaper detailing all the grisly goings on in the world.

Commenting on the police investigation into the Yorkshire Ripper, Corey says: “They wasted all this time. All this money, all these resources – all because they refused to be wrong. Now what does that sound like in this day and age?”

Describing the sound of ‘The Chapeltown Rag’, Corey says: ‘It’s classic Slipknot. And it’s frenetic.

“But lyrically, it’s coming from a point of talking about the various manipulations that can happen when social media meets media itself. And the different ways that these manipulations can try to pull us in different directions, in the fact that we’re all becoming addicts to it, which is very, very dangerous.”

Shaun ‘Clown’ Crahan adds: “‘The Chapeltown Rag’ facilitates a sort of mindset that you're going to like: it's along the barnburner side of things.”

Listen to Slipknot's 'The Chapeltown Rag' (warning: it's very sweary):

'The Chapeltown Rag' is the first taster of Slipknot's upcoming seventh studio album.

Slipknot began teasing the single this week by launching a thechapeltownrag.com website containing nine different nine second snippets of new music.

The Iowan masked metallers will premiere ‘The Chapeltown Rag’ during their set at Knotfest Los Angeles tomorrow (5th November) at the Banc Of California Stadium. The show is being livestreamed and tickets are on sale right here.

If crushingly heavy metal music is your thing, have a listen to our Kerrang! Radio Premium station Full Metal Racket.

Slipknot and more rock stars unmasked:

Slipknot’s Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan unmasked

Slipknot percussionist #6 Shawn Crahan unveiled his new silver clown mask to the world when the Iowan masked metallers premiered fearsome single 'Unsainted' in May 2019. Outside of the day job banging things with Slipknot, the unmasked Shawn Crahan is an acclaimed film director and photographer.

Slipknot’s Mick Thomson unmasked

Slipknot guitarist #7 Mick Thomson's metallic hockey mask is so perfectly formidable it has remained relatively unchanged for years. On the right is an Mick Thomson without his mask traversing the streets of New York in 2019 ahead of Slipknot's appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Buckethead unmasked

The highly enigmatic guitarist, who wears a KFC bucket on his head, revealed his real identity on self-released 2013 album 'Pike 13'. It poignantly depicts a younger Buckethead – real name Brian Carroll – without his mask on and hugging his late dad.

Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg unmasked

Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg and his proper horrorshow burlap mask. On the right is the devilishly handsome Jay Weinberg without his mask. Weinberg joined Slipknot in 2014 replacing the departing Joey Jordison, who sadly passed away in 2021.

Slipknot’s Sid Wilson unmasked

Slipknot turntablist #0 Sid Wilson's mask dramatically changed in 2019 from his more traditional skull and gas masks to an almost Palpatine -esque deformed human mask with black robes. On the right is Sid Wilson without his mask at the premiere of Slipknot: Day Of The Gusano in Beverly Hills.

Limp Bizkit’s Wes Borland unmasked and without makeup

Chameleon-like Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland is constantly coming up with brilliant new looks for the band's live shows. Fusing a mask with crudely painted make-up, this brilliantly disturbing guise is like a cross between Salvador Dali, The Joker and a demented aristocrat. Here is Wes Borland without his mask and makeup at a photoshoot in 2017.

Slipknot’s Corey Taylor unmasked

Slipknot singer #8 Corey Taylor's guise evolved into a sinister translucent mask in 2019. As the frontman of Stone Sour - and arguably the most famous member of Slipknot to boot - unless you've been living under a rock for the past two decades, you'll be well aware of what Corey Taylor looks like without his mask.

Ghost’s Tobias Forge (aka Papa Emeritus) unmasked

Flanked by his band of Nameless Ghouls, Tobias Forge has adopted a number of papal guises over the years; from the various incarnations of Papa Emeritus through to Cardinal Copia and Papa Emeritus IV. On the right is Tobias Forge without his mask at the Grammy Awards in 2019.

GWAR’s Blothar unmasked

Following the untimely death of singer Oderus Urungus (aka Dave Brockie) in 2014, GWAR recruited Blothar - aka Michael Bishop – as their new frontman who comes complete with a pigface goblin guise. On the right is Blothar without his mask and outlandish costume speaking at a TED Talk in 2015.

Slipknot’s Alessandro Venturella unmasked

Slipknot bassist Alessandro "Alex" Venturella's mask changed from a hessian fabric mask into patterned copper mask in 2019. The genial-looking chap on the right is Alessandro Venturella without his mask.

KISS’s Paul Stanley unmasked and without makeup

Alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley has been a member of KISS since their inception in 1973 and his alter ego The Starchild has remained a constant all this time.

Slipknot’s Jim Root unmasked

Slipknot guitarist #4 Jim Root has worn a Jester mask for the entirety of his career with only minor changes in its design. Why change perfection?! Jim Root is immediately identifiable even without his mask thanks to his luscious, voluminous beard.

Behemoth’s Nergal unmasked and without makeup

One of the standout Main Stage acts at Download Festival 2019, Polish blackened death metallers Behemoth – led by the fearsome lead vocalist Nergal – have always adorned striking make-up on stage creating an enigmatic aura. On the right is Adam Nergal Darski without makeup at an album signing session.

Ex-Slipknot percussionist Chris Fehn unmasked

Before he exited Slipknot in somewhat acrimonious circumstances in April 2019, #3 Chris Fehn wore a distinctive Liar Mask – aka the Pinocchio Mask. On the right is the Chris Fehn without his mask at the premiere of Shawn Clown Crahan's movie 'Officer Downe' in 2016.

KISS’s Gene Simmons unmasked and without makeup

On stage and wearing his trademark makeup, Gene Simmons adopts The Demon persona.

KISS’s Eric Singer unmasked and without makeup

Following the death of the late-great Eric Carr in 1991, new drummer Eric Singer didn't adopt his The Fox persona; instead he resurrected original drummer Peter Criss' The Catman guise.

KISS’s Tommy Thayer unmasked and without makeup

Joining KISS permanently in 2002, Tommy Thayer jumped straight into Ace Frehley's platform heels and took on his The Spaceman makeup design.

Ghost Nameless Ghoul unmasked

In March 2017, a Swedish musician called Martin Persner shared a video claiming he was formerly a Nameless Ghoul in Ghost called Omega. He left the band in July 2016 after a seven-year stint.

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