10 Best Opening Tracks In Metal
9. XIX - Slipknot
Upon first tackling .5 The Gray Chapter, many Slipknot were going in not knowing what to expect. After a 6 year studio album silence, Slipknot had lost bassist Paul Gray and had parted ways with drummer Joey Joridson, both of which provided the backbone to the band's signature sound. Seeing how this album would pay tribute to the band's fallen comrade, it was only fitting to start in mourning.
Opening with the sound of bagpipes, "XIX" is the sound of the distilled pain felt by the band members over Gray's passing. The lyrics from Corey Taylor are absolutely heart-wrenching as he details the collective journey the band had to undertake in order to make it out of their mourning and continue to play music. Without changing any the music, the tone of the song changes from painful dread to perseverance as the band invites the listener into their world, where they may collectively grieve, perform, and exorcise their demons across the album's runtime.
More than just an opening track, this song was a rallying cry for all the Maggots of the world that not even death could stop Slipknot from conquering the metal world. It may have been a hard road to get there, but we're happy the 9 took the journey.