Interview: Slipknot talks about Knotfest Brazil and how haters don't matter at all.

Seven years after their last visit to Brazil, Slipknot is about to land in the country to inaugurate the first edition of Knotfest , a festival curated by the band itself, in São Paulo. In an interview with Wikimetal , bassist Alessandro Venturella , better known as Vman , spoke about the shows in our country and the band's new album.

As is to be expected when it comes to Slipknot, their seventh studio album didn't arrive without exaggerated reactions from fans and haters, often equally dedicated. Initially, the album's name suggested the end of the band's activities, but frontman Corey Taylor didn't allow that idea to spread : The End… So Far is, in fact, the end of a cycle for something new to begin.

According to Vman, the band didn't have a defined direction when they started recording the album, and the songs emerged naturally, at their own pace. "It was literally, 'this sounds good, let's keep it. And this part flows well with that one, so let's keep it,'" he said. "And when you listen to the finished song, it also inspires you, and maybe you start writing another one like that because you liked what you heard. I think it was a domino effect of inspiration." 

With a dark and heavy sound, but not always as violent as the albums that made Slipknot one of the leading names in current metal, some of the audience complained about the excess of ballads in the project, despite the presence of intense tracks like "The Chapeltown Rag", "The Dying Song" and "Warranty". "There are still tracks on the album [for those who like] heavy metal and there's a lot of technique," notes the bassist.

However, the criticism finds no echo in the music world. Even Mike Portnoy was baffled by the complaints of the so-called "purist fans" and praised the result of Slipknot's new album: for the drummer, the project blends Pink Floyd and Radiohead in the band's vein and achieves a result on par with Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) by The Beatles .

And in the band's own view, the long road has made them immune to the inevitable complaints. Just like in any other aspect of life, it's impossible to please everyone when a new album is released – and nobody in Slipknot is going to lose sleep over it. “I don't want to hear the same song 11 times, you know? With this album, I think it's a good journey,” reflects Venturella. “Everyone has their own opinion, but you know how it is… Some people don't like Beethoven. And I don't believe them.”

READ ALSO: Review: Slipknot makes peace with the past and releases 'The End, So Far'

Slipknot in Brazil in 2022

On their last visit to Brazil, Slipknot performed a series of shows alongside their Rock in Rio . This time, the band is preparing to bring their own festival to our country.

With a decade of history and a lineup curated by the band itself, Knotfest will have its first Brazilian edition in São Paulo, at the Anhembi Sambadrome, on November 18th with a grand lineup . Besides Slipknot, the event features Judas Priest, Motionless in White, Mr. Bungle , Sepultura , and other metal acts.

When asked about the difference between performing at other festivals and in their own territory, Vman explains that Slipknot's more personal relationship with all the bands scheduled for Knotfest creates an atmosphere of greater comfort and camaraderie. The chosen acts are part of the band's history, friends, or idols.

“At these bigger festivals, you don’t know everyone who’s performing, so everyone just hangs out. They’re good events, but there’s not that camaraderie with other people,” he said. “[At Knotfest], there’s more excitement in the air, and I believe the bands’ performance will be great because of that. Seeing some friends back in the touring world, all of that adds up and makes that day special for the fans.”

Among these old friends back on the road, Pantera is certainly on the list of Slipknot members and fans as one of the highlights of the Knotfest Latin America lineup, since Corey Taylor has previously stated that he is "very excited" to see Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown carrying on the legacy with the help of Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante .

Now with seven albums in their discography, the challenge lies in creating a setlist capable of balancing the desires of both long-time and new fans. “Without a doubt, it’s a difficult decision. Now that the year is drawing to a close, I believe we’ll have many fan-favorite songs that we’ve recently added to the setlist,” he said. “I wish I were responsible for the setlist, but I can only offer my opinion, and that’s it.”

From the album The End… So Far , there are some tracks that haven't yet been performed live that Vman would love to see in the final setlist for the shows: "Adderall," "Yen," and perhaps the very fitting "Finale" in the final stretch of the shows, as a moment to recover energy before "People = Shit" and other explosive songs.

Regardless of the songs chosen for the shows in Brazil, Slipknot promises the biggest and most significant tour in Brazil next week, bringing their caravan and mentality for a unique experience for Brazilian fans.

READ ALSO: Playlist: get to know the bands that will play at Knotfest Brazil 2022