“Nero Forte” by Slipknot

Slipknot’s “Nero Forte” is a song that is very-hardcore yet ambiguous at the same time. It is clear that the singer has beef with someone. However, it is up to the reader to ascertain what exactly his gripe is as well as who actually is the target of his ire.

That is to say that on top of the lyrics being symbolic, it can also be difficult to follow for those who are not familiar with this genre of music. However, there is an overall narrative which any listener should be able to grasp. It is based on the singer apparently suffering some type of abuse at the hands of another.

The nature of this mistreatment is not specified. But it would appear to be something along the lines of him feeling that said person(s) – in some way, shape or form – are deceiving and taking advantage of him. Moreover he seems to label these individuals as hypocrites, as in exerting control over others while their own affairs are out of order. Additionally via making such harsh statements, he seems to be privy to the potential of them retaliating or at least recognizes them as being willing to inflict severe cruelty.

So logically he is angry and relays such in this song. And the first verse in particular focuses on his angst, depicting the singer as a volatile and potentially-hostile person. And whereas he relays “Nero Forte” from a first-person perspective, the song in its entirety is not about him. Rather it is basically a tirade against those who are the source of his distress, with the first verse basically highlighting the type of person he has developed into due to dealing with them.

What is the meaning of “Nero Forte”?

As for the title of the song, “Nero”, though it has various applications, is mostly recognized as the name of a 1^st Century Roman emperor. Nero gained notoriety for persecuting Christians. And a “forte” is something which a person is good at. So it is arguably that the people who this song is actually directed at is the Christian establishment, as in the dominant religion of Slipknot’s country (the United States).

Indeed Slipknot has been known to take similar dispositions, even if only in the name of entertainment, in the past. So it is not outrageous to conclude that perhaps “Nero Forte” is aimed at the religious establishment.

However while he may possibly have a beef with Christians, he is not referring to himself as “Nero”, as in someone who is out to persecute theme. Rather he is likening his tormentors to the titular emperor. This becomes apparent during the outro, which features the phrase “that’s what you do best“. This is another way of saying that the oppression which is delineated throughout the song is actually their “forte”. So basically, he views these individuals he is singing to as truly-vile people.

Conclusion

All in all, in its simplest form, “Nero Forte” is a song in which the singer is thoroughly frustrated. And the source of his anger appears to be some type of authority figures.

Who wrote “Nero Forte”?

Slipknot wrote this song. The band also collaborated with record producer and mixer Greg Fidelman to produce it.

When did Slipknot release “Nero Forte”?

On August 9, 2019, the band released their sixth studio album. This album is titled We Are Not Your Kind and “Nero Forte” is one of the songs on this album. Three official singles preceded this album. And they are:

• “Unsainted”
• “Solway Firth”
• “Birth of the Cruel“