Slipknot
Voliminal: Inside The Nine

THE REVIEW

Genius and recklessness are the first two nouns that come to mind to describe this double DVD, the latest effort from Slipknot.

A experimental video production like this was previously done only by the immense and untouchable Pink Floyd. A laborious birth that was supposed to happen months and months ago, but only now do we have the opportunity to admire it. Do not expect the usual classic music DVD of a band, but expect much more. You will enter the behind-the-scenes of one of the most talked-about bands in the world, with a real film created and directed by M. Shawn Crahan: an imaginary, conceptual, psychedelic journey that tells us about the struggles of the nine from Iowa through 28 months of touring, covering 34 states and 233 shows.

The opening of the DVD, in my opinion (having experienced various ‘Knot concerts live), is goosebump-inducing. We find ourselves with the camera pointing from the light mixer towards the stage with the entire audience waiting for their idols to enter. A voice announces that the concert has been canceled to the great disappointment of those present, but after a few seconds the lights suddenly go out, and "Prelude 3.0" starts, with the absolute delirium of the crowd.
On the dark images from this intro, the names of the nine protagonists are displayed: 8 Corey, 1 Joey, 7 Mick, 2 Paul, 5 Craig, 4 James, 3 Chris, 0 Sid, 6 Clown. The main and most brilliant idea of the entire "film" is that the scenes were shot entirely with a handheld camera to make us feel even closer to their world, among travels, fun backstage moments, concert preparations, rehearsals, shows, and various gems including a close-up shot of Joey performing his famous number with the drum that rotates in the air, and a small space entirely dedicated to each member that allows us to discover them more specifically. All this in the first disc.

In the second disc, you will find all 5 videos from "Vol 3: (The Subliminal Verses)," including "Vermilion Pt. 2," nine live tracks taken from various tours but most importantly, nine face-to-face interviews with each band member for the first time with their faces uncovered telling how "Slipknot" has changed their lives, the band's philosophy, the masks, how they see the world, customary messages to the fans, and much more. The only flaw (speaking of disc 1) is that it may not appeal to new fans of the band or to those who do not appreciate them much, as it offers a particular vision in a way different from the conventional of the group.

Nevertheless, it is a production that, in my opinion, is brilliant, which at first glance seems just a jumble of images but as you continue watching, it takes shape following a very precise logical thread, without taking away our possibility to interpret the images subjectively.
A tribute to all the Maggots.

(sic)VII