Slipknot Band • Page 22

Good timing because I finished revisiting Slipknot's discography last week and I have thoughts:

- Slipknot: I still find it to be their most unique release, and the only one where they manage to sound like a 9 piece, or more than a 6 piece, for most of its duration. The eerie vibe enhanced by the unsettling sound design, samples, backup screams and other elements stands out, as well as the jungle and funk influences. The downside this time for me was the amount of rap parts, which make it sound very of its time compared to their following work. Love how it sounds like it's about to go off the rails at any moment.

- Iowa: It's total (controlled) chaos and rage and I imagine that's why, like many, I love it so much. It already feels like there's a decrease in the elements I brought up just above though, but it doesn't deter me from enjoying it.

- Vol 3: I'm biased because this was my introduction to the band but it remains my favorite. The songs where they branch out all work. Vermilion Pt 1+2 is one of the best things they've ever done.

- All Hope Is Gone: This time I noticed some Alice In Chains undertones on the rockier songs, which were my favorites. A significant chunk of the rest started to go in one ear out the other, lacking memorable moments.

- The Gray Chapter: I've tried many times but I can't remember anything outside of one or two cuts. It sounds like they're completely on autopilot mode.

- We Are Not Your Kind: A return to form, pretty much the album I wanted them to make after Vol 3. It sounds like they finally take advantage of the nine of them's talents again, creating an atmosphere in each song and letting them build and build, the most since their debut to my ears. I do think it starts losing me right before the excellent closing track, as there's a bunch of slower songs one after the other. Wish they would've added All Out Life in the second half to fix that. I don't know if they ever explained why it ended up being a standalone single. It's a shame as it got me back into the band and is still one of my favorites post-Vol 3.

- The End So Far: Don't have much to say about it. Love the opening track but the rest leaves me as indifferent as The Gray Chapter, except I find Corey's performance strangely annoying at times. I don't know what he's doing but some of his cleans just don't work. It really feels like they weren't inspired during the making as well.

I don't know what to expect from the current line-up at this point. Whatever the direction, I just hope they'll bounce back.

 

Iowa was my first metal album I went to buy as a teenager, I still absolutely love the guitar tones and effects, I don't think they had as much bite to them after this which hurt some of their heavier post Iowa stuff. Vol 3 has my favorite melodic rock Slipknot songs, the nameless with its contrast parts of boy band type harmonies and then the switch to deranged lyrics and heaviness, and i'll echo that vermillion is one of their best songs.

 

One of the things I find a little hilarious about Five Finger Death Punch is that their first album was very uncommercial, so much so that they re-released the album just to add two more "singles" to it.

It's just strange that of all bands, that's the one that took off, but I guess I understand why.

 

I’ll always have a special spot in my heart for Vol3

 

My pop punk and metal spin class ended with People = Shit last Saturday. Very enjoyable, if a little comical.