Review Summary: Sub·lim·i·nal –adjective Psychology- existing or operating below the threshold of consciousness; being or employing stimuli insufficiently intense to produce a discrete sensation but often being or designed to be intense enough to influence the menta
Sub·lim·i·nal –adjective Psychology- existing or operating below the threshold of consciousness; being or employing stimuli insufficiently intense to produce a discrete sensation but often being or designed to be intense enough to influence the mental processes or the behavior of the individual: a subliminal stimulus; subliminal advertising (Dictionary.com)
When I first got this CD three summers ago, I was beyond thrilled. The night before I had seen the video for Duality and was instantaneously hooked. Throwing this CD into my player and cranking the bass up, I heard my first true metal experience. The angsty scream-singing of Corey Taylor, the insanely twisted guitarmanship of Mick Thompson and James Root. The profoundly wicked heartbeats of the band Joey Jordison, Shawn Crahan, Chris Fehn. Plus the talented mixing of Sid Wilson and booming bass of Paul Gray made SlipKnoT a true metal experience. Allow me to explain the madness of the nine.
Their first song, Prelude 3.0, is indeed a strange one. Taylor's songwriting is on spot for what can only be described in the song title as a prelude. As the song slowly climaxes with the wailing guitars, pounding drums, and Taylor's voice from soft singing to screaming sets the mood for the next song, The Blister Exists.
The Blister Exists is a fantastic metal song. The albums title really comes into play with this song with lyrics like," Bury the present and squeeze out the past the ones you endear to never last chemical burns and the animalistic I'm just anohter hardline psuedo-statistic." In this song the heavy guitars and bass really shine during the chorus, as well as Jordison's double bass madness. It may be difficult to believe, but this is one of their heavier song on this album.
The next song, Three Nil, starts out with a crescendo of drums and guitar, which soon explode like a ticking time bomb into a wall of true metal guitars and drums. The lyrics are probably the weakest of this album, but the wall of sound backing up the vocals saves the song.
One of the hit singles off this album, Duality, is next in line. Soft vocals and a hard piano sound release you into a flurry of catchy guitars and supporting drums. The violent tendencies of this song are forgotten in the lyrics which people will sing and not really know what they are singing about. SlipKnoT really mastered this song and placed it up there as one of their best.
Op1um Of The People is a polar opposite to the song following Circle. Op1um's speed metal guitars and Circle's soft accoustic sounds really complement eachother. Circle really cools you down after hearing song after song of metal.
Vermillion Parts 1 and 2 are simply outstanding. Vermillion Pt. 1 showcases the array of everybody in band. Whether it's the only guitar solo on the album, self-destructive lyrics, or the talented drums that seem to fit in perfectly. Part 2 is the acoustic side of the song. It's beautiful, yeah I actually said that on a SlipKnoT review, lyrics and guitars, even the bass shines on this song, make it a memorable one.
Pulse of the Maggots is no doubt a tribute to their fans. SlipKnoT deemed their worthy fans maggots awhile back. Whether this is a curse or a blessing, it's a amazing song. Lyrics on this piece exemplify that being a maggot is actually like being part of the band.
Before I Forget is easily their best hit. The song definatly grows on you and is SlipKnoT showing that they don't need to scream to get their point across. Rich music and vocals meet and form a truely inspiring song.
The Virus Of Life is SlipKnoT back in the old days. It shows their older, more violent lyrics with menacing guitars that would fit perfectly in a horror movie. It's an alright song, definatly not a song that goes with the flow of the album. Again this song flows nicely into the next song, Danger - Keep Away, like Prelude did for The Blister Exists.
Danger - Keep Away. Is one of my favorites of this album. The fragile lyrics and passive drums keep this song rolling and again show that singing can be better than screaming.
The two songs on this album that are easily forgettable are Welcome and The NaMeLeSs. These two not so amazing songs include violent lyrics that make you miss the whole point of listening to the song. Musically they are great, but lyrically no so much.
Overall, SlipKnoT's madness is all wrapped into an nice bundle that you should buy for ten to fifteen dollars at your local Best Buy. Anybody and everybody who likes metal or hard rock should buy or at least download songs from this album. It really amazes me how far this band from Des Moines, Iowa has really come.
