Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor has never been one to shy away from his opinions and in a new interview he discusses the current state of metal, the evolution of the genre, and the continued disrespect it receives from the mainstream media.

Taylor sat down with Guardian music critic Alexis Petridis, who openly admitted he’s not a fan of metal, to discuss why the genre has never been widely embraced by the media. “There is that stigma around metal – that's its dumb, Neanderthal – which is such bullsh--,” explains Taylor. “Some of the smartest people I know are metal fans.” In fact, Taylor feels that it takes a skilled ear and sharp mind to really appreciate the genre, explaining, “If you listen to some of the music, it's very intricate, layered. You have to be at least sort of savvy to get into it.”

Taylor considers metal “the last real rebellious spirit in music’ and that “metal is the voice of the disenfranchised and that need to become unhinged.” It’s that voice and spirit that captures fans at a young age and keeps them fans throughout their lives - making metal fans some of the most loyal followers ever.

In addition, Taylor feels that metal is constantly evolving in comparison to other genres. “There's this need to raise the bar. I don't see that in any other genre,” says Taylor. “Black Sabbath begat Metallica begat Marilyn Manson begat us [Slipknot]."

Petridis suggests that perhaps the media steers away from metal because they just don’t understand it and don’t want to insult the artists but Taylor feels the genre deserves more respect. “The Rock'n'roll Hall of Fame is a joke – the fact that Madonna is in before Rush and Kiss. Those two bands have influenced so many groups and people other than in metal,” Taylor expressed. “I wouldn't say that we give a sh--about acceptance. I just want respect for the bands who laid the way.”

Read the entire interview with Taylor here.

More From Loudwire