Critically, it was hailed as a "return to form" and one of the best metal albums of 2019. Critics praised the band for not resting on their laurels; rather than releasing a nostalgia act, they pushed their sound forward. Publications like Kerrang! and Metal Hammer awarded it perfect scores, noting that the band sounded "hungry" again.
(Atmospheric, drowned in reverb) My pain is not your art. My suffering is not your soundtrack. You watched me bleed and called it performance. But this is not for you. This is the rain after the drought. This is the breath after the noose. I keep my pain now. It’s the only thing that’s truly mine. Slipknot - We Are Not Your Kind -2019-
The middle stretch of the album contains some of the most adventurous tracks in Slipknot’s catalog. "Spiders" utilizes a creepy, piano-driven 7/8 time signature that feels more like a horror movie soundtrack than a traditional metal song. "Birth of the Cruel" offers a slow, sludge-heavy grind, while "Nero Forte" delivers the high-speed, syncopated aggression that satisfies the old-school fans. The emotional centerpiece, "A Liar’s Funeral," slows the tempo down to a mourning crawl, allowing Taylor to showcase his incredible vocal range, moving from a fragile whisper to a throat-tearing scream. Critically, it was hailed as a "return to
Production-wise, the album was handled by Slipknot and Greg Fidelman, who have worked together on several projects in the past. The sound is characteristically heavy, with a focus on powerful drums and crushing guitars. But there's also a sense of depth and texture to the album, with subtle touches of atmosphere and ambiance that add complexity to the music. and Metal Hammer awarded it perfect scores, noting
Taylor also cited global "divisiveness" and racism as significant influences on the album's aggressive tone. Musical Style and Composition