Review Summary: The new experimentation of sound for Slipknot has payed dividends, producing one of the finest metal albums of the 21st century, with an influx of different genres such as nu metal and progressive rock to good effect with hit singles such as both Vermilli
After the aggressive metal in their two previous albums, ‘Slipknot’ and ‘Iowa’, Slipknot have rebranded themselves by experimenting with their sound on their third album: Vol .3: The Subliminal Verses. The new sound has resulted in an album featuring acoustic songs, pop-metal and progressive rock, seen in the first track of the album ‘Prelude 3.0’. The opening track is a swarm of ambient noise with whispered vocals adding an eerie atmosphere and a menacing tone. The most aggressive song on the album follows up in ‘The Blister Exists’. The song features a mix of brutal and chugging riffs which are driven to the fascinating climax and is in general thrash metal at its finest, reminiscent of early Metallica, with ridiculously fast fretwork and pounding drums.
The politically oriented song ‘Pulse of the Maggots’ is a track reminiscent of Marilyn Manson and vocalist Corey Taylor states ‘everything is possible if we try’. The track shows Taylor at his finest and explores the way that Slipknot wish to be heard. However, the albums masterpiece is track number 8, Vermillion, a Gothic love story that the likes of Edgar Allan Poe would have been proud of. It is a volatile song, switching from pure desperation to howls of fury. One of the acoustic tracks ‘Circle’ however, is quite bizarre to be frank and will cause widespread annoyance among the most hardcore Slipknot fans. ‘Duality’ is another stand out track on the album and features nu metal at its best. Taylor raps brilliantly during the verses unlike the rapped verses on previous Slipknot albums and the track has an infectious chorus, teetering on the verge of pop metal. ‘Before I Forget’ also features a pop metal tone and features a great contribution musically from all of the members of Slipknot, most notably Jim Root and Mick Thomson.
Some songs however such as ‘Opium of the People’ and ‘Virus of Life’ don’t offer a substantial amount to the album,are slow to pick up and the experimental effect of these songs fall flat to be frank. ‘Vermillion Pt.2’ is an acoustic track like ‘Circle’ but works well in contrast. The depressing mood can be sensed from the opening seconds of the song and features more fantastic clean vocals from frontman Taylor. ‘Danger, Keep Away’ is perhaps the most experimental Slipknot have been on the album. The song is driven by a Gothic piano, a rarity in metal music and features terrific drumming from Joey Jordison with eerie backing vocals adding an ominous tone to the track.
Download: Duality, Before I Forget, Vermillion, Pulse of the Maggots
