Slipknot
Slipknot


4.0
excellent

Review

by Robert Garland STAFF
April 8th, 2011 | 967 replies


Release Date: 1999 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Iowa’s nine piece metal out-fit bring a thick, raw and crunchy sound to the metal masses using masks, jumpsuits and an almost unique combination of sounds creating a metal record that is angry, new and somewhat innovative.

The year was 1999 and the metal community was already waiting for future music from the 2000s but from various areas of Iowa came a sound that most had not heard before combining strong heavy nu-metal influences, mixed with sometimes rapped verse lines, overly aggressive and sometimes provocative lyrical content mixed with weird and what only can be described as creepy sample effects creates a dynamic that at times can be catchy and accessible while at other times motivates some listeners to eject the disc and swiftly throw the disc out of the nearest open window. However what Slipknot have created is a kind of restart from their less well known release ‘Mate.Feed.Kill.Repeat.’

Slipknot’s self titled effort can to some extent be seen as a second debut for the band and its listeners as new elements are presented including a new lead vocalist and the inclusion of more members. Slipknot use texture in a way to animate and attract the listeners’ attention, that being for the most part a main element in their sound. Most of the time is thick and greatly layered when all nine members participate fully displaying raw aggression with thick tones (see Sic, Surfacing, and Spit It Out) while at times some elements of the self titled effort become rather thin (see Prosthetics and parts of Scissors) displaying a sense of diversity and drawing the listener into the next track. Whether the current dislike for Slipknot is merited or not there is a high and almost unique level of talent shown by Slipknot as a whole over the course of the album.

The main style of the album can easily be seen as fast paced and aggressive. This is reinforced by most of the tracks utilizing the ever present screamed vocal lines from the famous (and sometimes infamous) voice of Corey Taylor combined with the down tuned, high gain guitar riffs and most of the time fast paced percussive work.

Highlighting the album is the sample working. It is a feature not used in such a dominate manner heard in most groups and on this release it is used in a manner to attract the listener, to keep the listener guessing. Right from the start with the opening sample track ‘742617000027’ listeners will not know what is going to come next before being hit in the face by ‘Sic’ which demonstrates perfectly the driving level of aggression displayed throughout the album. The album itself is not overly catchy but what grabs the listeners’ attention is all the rage presented to them making it a little more accessible to the masses, however there are small amounts of catchiness on display in tracks such as ‘Wait and Bleed’ and ‘Liberate’ where recurring musical ideas are presented in a fashionably and creative manner, enough for the listener to sing/scream along. Rage it seems is a niche where Slipknot attract a portion of its fan base.

Many listeners will find tracks they like; thus being most of the heavier songs (Sic, Surfacing, Spit It Out and Liberate) while there will be others who prefer tracks showing different levels of aggression that display on a greater scale of Slipknot’s innovative manner such as and especially ‘Scissors’. Whatever the listeners musical preferences may be Slipknot have proved to the greater metal community that they have become a force to be reckoned with.



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user ratings (4066)
3.7
great
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Comments:Add a Comment 
DinoX
April 9th 2011


3582 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Only good album by Slipknot

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
April 9th 2011


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I'm sure this didn't need another review, but its got one now. As always constructive criticism is welcome.

BassDemon333
April 9th 2011


3435 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Album rules

letsgofishing
April 9th 2011


1705 Comments


needs more Justin Bieber


Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
April 9th 2011


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

'needs more Justin Bieber'



maybe they can make a mask that looks like him and wear it at gigs.





Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
April 9th 2011


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I'm surprised I'm not getting any hate for this.

DinoX
April 9th 2011


3582 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Instant pos for advertising review

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
April 9th 2011


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

lol dino, thats not what its about. while im not overly great at this i still want to improve my writing.

shrapnel
April 9th 2011


735 Comments


Only good album by Slipknot

Iowa is just as good, maybe better. def heavier

ButcheredChildren
April 9th 2011


5590 Comments


Reviews pretty good, I cant really think of any discrepancies unless you wanted it to be formal lol

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
April 9th 2011


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

yeah those two seem to be on a balnce bar for me? one week iowa, the next the s/t.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
April 9th 2011


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

you might as well hit me up then. it can only help.

ButcheredChildren
April 9th 2011


5590 Comments


Nah its cool, you dont need to add formality, its just an added headache.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
April 9th 2011


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

it's alright i have drugs for that.

DinoX
April 9th 2011


3582 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

lol chill man j/k about the advertising thing.



Review is pretty good, back in the day this was like the most brutal thing ever.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
April 9th 2011


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

no i saw that, just thought it needed a little clarification. This is one of my more current plays.

MarkedFortune
April 9th 2011


100 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

great album.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
April 9th 2011


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

woah, where'd that neg come from?

BloodSweatandBeers
April 9th 2011


1034 Comments


what an awkward read

Hawks
April 9th 2011


93615 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Such a horrible band.



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