Unsainted Explained

Unsainted
Cover:	SlipknotUnsainted.jpeg
Type:	single
Artist:	Slipknot
Album:	We Are Not Your Kind
Genre:	Nu metal^[1]
Label:	Roadrunner
Producer:	Greg Fidelman Slipknot
Prev Title:	All Out Life
Prev Year:	2018
Next Title:	Solway Firth
Next Year:	2019

"Unsainted" is a song by American heavy metal band Slipknot. It was released as the lead single from their sixth studio album We Are Not Your Kind on May 16, 2019, accompanied by its music video.^[2] This is the first Slipknot single released since "All Out Life", which was released on October 31, 2018, as well as their first single without their former percussionist Chris Fehn, who left the band earlier in 2019.

Critical reception

Jon Blistein of Rolling Stone called the song an "unsparing headbanger", saying it "opens with an expertly crafted build, as choir vocals—performed by the Angel City Chorale—float above rumbling drums, tidal wave guitars and frontman Corey Taylor's vocals" before becoming the "double bass drum hits and jagged guitars that carry the rest of the song".^[2] Revolver called it a "much more accessible, radio-friendly cut" than the band's non-album single "All Out Life", although felt that this "doesn't mean that its lyrics pull any punches", judging it to be "explosive".^[3]

Music video

A music video directed by Shawn "Clown" Crahan was released alongside the song on May 16 2019. Blistein characterized the video as full of "creepy, cultish imagery". It ends with Corey Taylor walking out of a church to find he and the other members of the band turned into statues, then proceeding to light his statue on fire.^[2] Luke Morton of Kerrang! called the video "a lot to take in", writing that it is "full of kaleidoscopic visuals, religious iconography, [and] fire".^[4]

As of August 2024, the music video for "Unsainted" has over 150 million views on YouTube.^[5]

In other media

• In 2019, "Unsainted" was selected as the official theme song for WWE's NXT TakeOver: Toronto PPV.^[6]
• In 2019, "Unsainted" was selected as DLC for Rock Band 4
• In 2024, "Unsainted" was selected as a playable track for Fortnite Festival

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Unsainted"

Chart (2019)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[7]	86
Canada Digital Songs (Billboard)^[8]	21
France (SNEP Sales Chart)^[9]	85
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)^[10]	17
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)^[11]	14
UK Singles (OCC)^[12]	68
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)^[13]	2
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)^[14]	26

Year-end charts

Chart (2019)! scope="col"

Position
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)^[15]	21

Notes and References

1. Web site: Watch this young violinist cover Slipknot's 'Unsainted' beautifully. Classic FM. November 2, 2019.
2. Slipknot Preview New Album With Unsparing Headbanger 'Unsainted'. Rolling Stone. Blistein. Jon. May 16, 2019. May 17, 2019.
3. Web site: Read Lyrics to Slipknot's Explosive New Song 'Unsainted'. Revolver. May 16, 2019. May 17, 2019.
4. Web site: We Break Down The New Slipknot Video For Unsainted. Kerrang!. Morton. Luke. May 16, 2019. May 17, 2019.
5. Web site: Slipknot - Unsainted [OFFICIAL VIDEO]]. YouTube. Slipknot. May 16, 2019. December 16, 2022.
6. Web site: Slipknot's "Unsainted" is the Theme Song for the Upcoming WWE NXT TakeOver. MetalSucks. Neilstein. Vince. 1 August 2019. 3 May 2021.
7. Web site: ARIA Chart Watch #526. auspOp. May 25, 2019. May 25, 2019.
8. Slipknot Chart History (Canada Digital Song Sales). Billboard. February 26, 2022.
9. Web site: Slipknot - Unsainted. PureMédias. fr.
10. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. May 27, 2019. May 24, 2019.
11. Web site: Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 21. Sverigetopplistan. May 24, 2019.
12. Web site: Official Singles Chart Top 100 24 May - 29 May 2019. Official Charts Company. April 20, 2020.
13. Web site: Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40 24 May 2019 - 30 May 2019. Official Charts Company. April 20, 2020.
14. Slipknot Chart History (Digital Song Sales). Billboard. December 3, 2022.
15. Year-End Charts: Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (2019). Billboard. March 18, 2020.