Slipknot band photo

SLIPKNOT's 'Arsenal': A Standalone Shot or a Misfire?

By Jason •
Jim Root clarifies that the new single 'Arsenal' doesn't define the band's upcoming album trajectory.

SLIPKNOT has unleashed a new single, 'Arsenal,' a ferocious offering that marks their first new music in over three years. However, guitarist Jim Root has been quick to caution fans that this track is merely a standalone release and not a true reflection of the sonic direction for their forthcoming album. 'Arsenal' emerged from the creative chaos that ensued following the departure of longtime members Sid Wilson and Craig Jones, alongside the recent reshuffle in the drummer's throne with Eloy Casagrande stepping in for Jay Weinberg.

Directed by the band’s own M. Shawn 'Clown' Crahan, the music video for 'Arsenal' has already ignited mixed reviews within the SLIPKNOT fandom. While some are reveling in its brutal energy, others have criticized its catchy yet repetitive chorus led by Corey Taylor’s relentless chant of 'Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.' Root has addressed this backlash head-on, emphasizing that 'Arsenal' should not be taken as a harbinger of what’s to come.

In a now-deleted Instagram comment, Root stated, 'It depends on the commenter, really.' He went on to challenge critics by asking, 'I mean, what’s their band doing?' This unapologetic approach reflects the band's longstanding attitude toward naysayers. The guitarist made it clear that 'Arsenal' was a track they could get out quickly while the real meat of the album is still in the works.

Root confirmed that 'Arsenal' will not feature on the upcoming SLIPKNOT album: 'No. This was just one that we could finish 'sooner' to get out there.' The single premiered in the coveted 'Hottest Record' segment on BBC Radio 1’s New Music Show, where Taylor praised it as a 'pummeling experience' that encapsulates SLIPKNOT’s essence with bursts of hyperactivity followed by gut-wrenching drops.

As SLIPKNOT gears up for their next album, which will follow the critically acclaimed 'The End, So Far,' fans are eager to see how the band will adapt to the shifting lineup. With a history of chart-topping success and a legacy that solidifies their place in metal history, every new SLIPKNOT release is bound to create ripples across the scene.