The Heretic Anthem

Album: Iowa (2001)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A "Heretic" is someone who opposes church doctrine. There is some religious context to this song, but the message is more broad in the sense of trusting your instincts and not blindly following the beliefs of others. Slipknot has always opposed convention and defied critics, which led them to great success. In this song, they encourage others to do so as well.
  • "The Heretic Anthem" appears on Slipknot's 2001 album Iowa, their second on a major label. The band was on the rise and got even bigger over the next few years, known in particular for their outrageous stage shows where the nine members wear masks and thrash around like lunatics. The song held up as one of their classics; they played it throughout their career.

Comments: 13

  • Kyle from Indianapolis666 is derived from the number 23. Which represents placing 2 (man) over or before 3 (God) = 2/3 = .666 = 666.

    The opposite of this 666 mentality would be to reverse 23 into 32, or placing (3) God before or over Man (2) which = 3 / 2 = 15 = 5+5+5 = 555.

    It's Good 555 vs. Evil 666
    Woman 555 vs. Serpent 666
  • Emily from Southbridge MaIs 555 like Hollywood like fake
  • Deathcoreboi from Njstay sic maggots, honestly this band is probably the best band on the planet although corey isn't so good live anymore tbh its a real shame I honestly hope that he takes some time off to rest his voice I think that corey really really needs it tbh
  • Princess Unicorn from NjThis band was a hugeeeeee gateway band for me to get into death metal, deathcore, slamcore, metalcore, hardcore among many many more heavy sub genres because they were the first band to kinda get me to want heavier and heavier stuff. that being said I do feel like people = is a heavier song and something about screaming people = is a lot of fun at live shows or at my house at 12am the people across the street even threw a rock through my window to be able to here me better and another time the cops showed up so they could have a better listen regardless slipknot is my towns favorite band wether they like it or not lmao. i cannot lie though this band really got me through some stuff too
  • (sic) Boi from Njthis is one of their heaviest songs too although three nil is also really good and I suggest you guys check it out it is one of their most underrated songs to be honest but I think it's one of their best definitely a highlight of volume three
  • Rings Of Saturn from NjI definitely think that this song is mostly about how no one really wanted Corey and also how he is in a metal band that wears insane masks instead of being some popstar I think the lyrics mean if your 555(if your normal and bland) that makes 666(unique and interesting). I have always seen this song as 555 representing really basic, bland people who have horrible taste in music and just in general, and 666 is everyone who is unique and doesn't conform. As for the Corey part there is a lyrics in this song that really shows how nobody wants him, "nobody wants anything I've got Which is fine because your made of Everything-I'm-not" this shows that no one really likes his unique style at least on a mainstream level. I'd love to hear your opinion though I'll check back and respond to peoples comments and stuff lets keep this conversation going.
  • Zack from Noblesville, InDamn Straight BE your own person!
  • Trent from Chatsworth, OnFavourite Slipknot song. Its a bout the music biz and how Slipknot is different from the mainstream
  • Gabe from New York, NyActually, 777 has no association with biblical meaning whatsoever. 555 is the first page on which man is mentioned by their species name and page 666 marks the page number at which Satan is first mentioned by name. The chorus separates the people of Slipknot from the rest of the people in the world.It then proceeds to call the rest of the world heretics, which means that they believe that human life, the music business in particular, is not what it used to be about.
  • Xavier from Santa Fe, NmThis song is about the music industry and how plastic most pop stars are
  • Jon from Baltimore, Mdthe line, "if your 555, then im 666" are the numbers that represent humans and satan. in the song, slipknots saying they are above humans but still below god, whose number is 777. still a f*cking awesome song. one of their best.
  • Kevin from Lowell, Ma8,7, 666, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! f--k yeah!
  • Jerimias from Nuuk, GreenlandGreat F*cking song!
    One of my favourites!
    "I'm a popstar threat and I'm not dead yet!"
    F*cking awesome!
    Stay sic!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Vince Clarke

Vince ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

An original member of Depeche Mode, Vince went on to form Erasure and Yaz.

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-Nighters

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?