Slipknot DVD/CD Chronicles a Concert/Road Trip to Remember

Slipknot’s long-awaited first Mexico City concert, highly anticipated by band and fans alike, is chronicled in the group’s excellent new DVD/CD, “Day of the Gusano.” (Gusano is Spanish for maggot, Slipknot’s term of endearment for its incredibly devoted fans).

The disc chronicles the band’s superb 2015 show, an absolute explosion of energy capping off its Knotfest Mexico festival. “Day of the Gusano” also includes passionate testimonials from fans, footage of the band’s visit to Mexico City markets and nearby pyramids, and exclusive jam room performance snippets. It’s a treat on all levels.

The comradery between band and fans is admirable, emotional and a focal point of the video. The faithful talk of their love for Slipknot as a way of life and the band doesn’t take it for granted. Singer Corey Taylor, guitarist Mick Thompson and percussionist Shawn “Clown” Crahan state how lucky they are to have such passionate fans. Both Taylor and fans well up as they describe the unbreakable bond.

Onstage, the band gives a classic performance, a pummeling onslaught of songs spanning Slipknot's five album career. The show also shows then new drummer and bassist Jay Weinberg and Alessandro Venturella, respectively, making a seamless transition into the band.

Weinberg pounds the skins relentlessly while Venturella does an admirable job holding down the low end grooves and carrying out the unenviable task of taking over for the late, beloved Paul Gray with respect and integrity. Slipknot, rounded out by guitarist Jim Root, percussionist Chris Fehn, sampler/keyboardist Craig Jones and DJ/keyboardist Sid Wilson, deliver a furious set of aggression and palpable rage to the massive sea of humanity gathered at the outdoor venue.

The setlist is superb, mixing new material from the band’s latest album, “.5: The Gray Chapter,” with classics spanning the band’s two-decade career. New tracks “Sarcastrophe,” “The Devil in I” and “Custer” slide up seamlessly along fan-favorites “The Heretic Anthem,” “Wait and Bleed,” “Before I Forget” and “Vermilion.”

While fans eagerly await the next Slipknot studio album, they should definitely pick up a copy of “Day of the Gusano.” It’s a great journey, onstage and off, through a landmark performance.