.5: The Gray Chapter

Listened to this straight through twice now on my PS3 (after battling with Windows 8 to rip the cd and loosing - shakes angry fist at laptop) and I am very happy with it. It is un mistakenly slipknot but this album is deeply layered. There is a tone to this album that I have not heard from them so far and it almost feels like this will be there last for some reason. Its more like a story, dare I say, all the songs seem to bleed into each other. I would recommend listening to it straight through instead of skipping through songs. There is lots more singing in this album, it is still very heavy but there is equal amounts of both. I don't think there is any song on here that I don't like. It is an album I will have to listen to a few more times to get used to fully. The lyrics are fairly dark as usual and I had a lot of OH? moments lol. I found and the music is fantastic as always switching from super stomper "get the hell out of my face" riffs to a more flow like singing parts, which I loved and found very memorable and catchy. I can see myself singing at the top of my lungs at the gig and that is a very good sign. Actually I am a little bit concerned I might go totally nuts too. The last slipknot gig I went to in Dublin was just so damn good I injured myself several times just going crazy jumping around the place screaming ect you know yourselves. It was the best gig I have ever been to - period. That was a long time ago haha, I may not be up for doing that these days. This is a next level for this band and im not surprised to be honest there has been so much cr*p going on for them. It was a very mournful album and had a very sad note to it. I got the impression that Corey's tone was of being fed up and sick to death of all the stupid sh*t going on. Yes they have go on about that before but this sounded a bit closer to home and not the usual "general public being head wrecking people = sh*t". He seems to be directing these words to a few individuals. I could be wrong but that's just how I take it so far. Plus there is an outstanding contribution song for Paul that is certainly one of my favourites its truly awesome. I will no doubt listen to this over and over before they come to Dublin (1st date of the tour) to open up the this albums "Prepare for Hell" Tour in January (Korn supporting too woohoo carnage) and will be interested in seeing which songs from this album they will choose to use. As I said before all the songs seemed to be stitched together and blend in a nice flow. Putting on random wouldn't be a problem but you can really appreciate the ups and downs of tone and melody from each song to the other. I love it and would recommend this album to all slipknot fans. I am not doing a very good job at explaining this album but it doesn't matter. Just buy the damn thing you wont regret it. It is different but certainly not a bad album. I enjoyed this much more then all hope is gone. I found it is a bit acquired though so give it a few goes so you can really get into it. Great work from the band - BRING ON JANUARY - BRING ON HELL.

Album of the year. Hands down. Blistering, jaw-shattering leviathan, taking in every last element of slipknot's career and putting out one of their strongest releases yet. XIX: 9/10 - creepy, haunting opener that just oozes with atmosphere Sarcastrophe: 10/10 - Looming out of the gloom of XIX, Sarcastrophe is a solid punch in the gut, incredible riffs, and a sneaky homage to Disasterpiece and Surfacing if you listen very closely AOV: 10/10 - Facemelter. Brutal mix of technical percussion, a seasick, grinding riff and a screaming hatred in corey's voice that takes you right back to the darkest days of IOWA. Contender for best song on the album. The Devil In I: 9/10 - Great single, similar to the likes of Gently with a crushing unconventional breakdown in the final part of the song. Killpop: 10/10 - Being hailed as the long lost brother of Vermillion, it has a very Vol. 3 melodic but dark vibe. Think The Nameless crossed with Vermillion. Second contender for best song on the album. Skeptic: 8/10 - Probably the worst song on the album, boy it's a weird one. Brilliant tribute to Paul Gray, but a very odd decision on the chorus. Still, fantastic lyrics that will make any fan well up a little. Lech: 10/10 - Final contender for the song of the album. If King 810, 1999 Slipknot and KoRn had a lovechild, it would sound something like this. Best percussion sound on the album. Goodbye: 9/10 - Another tribute to Paul, very strong song but the best is yet to come. Nomadic: 8/10 - Another weird one, like skeptic, it has an almost punkish vibe to the chorus which is jarring at first but really works as you listen to it. The One That Kills The Least: 10/10 - Lyrical perfection, another haunting tribute, reminiscent of the slower songs on iowa thrown into a blender with Three Nil. Custer: 10/10 - Surfacing 2014. That is all there is to say. Be Prepared For Hell: this song doesn't get a rating because it's just a little interlude, great for building atmosphere The Negative One: 10/10 - Out of nowhere, comes an odd bit of sampling from 133, before the best riff of the album blows your head off. Malevolent fury, and really sums up the album. Dark. Haunting. Angry. If Rain Is What You Want: 11/10. This song defies a plausible rating. The best song that has ever been written by this band. Go back to 1999, throw this song into the mix and you wouldn't notice. Incredible. Where songs like Purity had anger on their side, this song brings in an emotion seen very rarely on a slipknot album: Grief and sadness. This album is probably the best of the year, and undoubtedly their best since the Eponymous album. The Knot are back, All Hope Is Gone is dead, long live .5: The Gray Chapter.

I've got to say that I'm really shocked by this album in a good way. Bizarrely, I sort of wanted it to be a failure, because after the release of All Hope is Gone (which I thought was their worst ever album), the death of Paul Gray and the sacking of Joey Jordison (which I was really annoyed about), I questioned whether or not Slipknot had passed their sell by date. So for me, this album was make or break, and I'm really pleased to say that I love Slipknot again. I've read a lot of reviews that say this album is like Iowa and Vol.3, but it has this amazing focus and maturity at the same time which surpasses both of the aforementioned albums. It really is a great listen and whilst I'm not going to do a track by track review, I have to highlight XIX, Sarcastrophe, Devil in I, Nomadic, The Negative One, Goodbye, Custer and Override (Bonus Disc) as the stand out tracks. That by no means infers that the rest are bad, because they certainly aren't, although 'Prepare for Hell' is a bit of a strange one given that it isn't really a song and yet next year's tour is named after it #confused. To summarise, this is a top class album that is intelligently composed and brutally delivered. Now can't wait to see them smash it in Newcastle in January!

As we have all been anticipating the follow up to 2008's (mixed-reviewed) All Hope Is Gone album for some time now, the dramas that have unfolded in the Slipknot camp almost made it debatable as to whether we should be waiting for a fifth album at all. With the death of founder and bassist Paul Gray and departure of founder and drummer Joey Jordison, for as yet unknown reasons, a follow up to AHIG seemed highly unlikely. Looking back at the history of the band and reminiscing over past interviews with several members pre-2010, anyone who left the band would probably mean Slipknot calling it a day. Or at least that's the impression I found. How wrong I was. Fast forward to 2014, blanked out social media pages, a blacked out website? What was happening? Then comes in the first in a wave of teasers in typical Slipknot vein prior to a release. I won't bother explaining the teasers but I was excited. I was excited for not only the fact that a new album was on the way, but the hype and anticipation as to what kind of music we could expect from Slipknot. Also who would be playing bass and who would sit behind the drums? Big shoes to fill..... Release day. After hearing several songs prior to the album's official release I will not comment on what I thought of them at the time but I will review the tracks as I heard them on the album all together. XIX - 9.5 / 10 This is a haunting intro track unlike any other intros they have written on the previous four albums. The sampling and effects are still there, but it sounds more like music heard at a funeral. Corey Taylor lays down some chilling vocals over the top as it all comes to a climax at the end. What a way to start the album. SARCASTROPHE - 10 / 10 You would be forgiven for thinking that this song would open up with relentless thrash and all guns blazing just like (Sic), People=S***, The Blister Exists and Gematria (The Killing Name) all did before. Except the build up from XIX doesn't just explode into a frenzy after all. Sarcastrophe starts off nice and easy building up again to what you can consider as typical Slipknot brutality around the 1 minute mark. The track is a fantastic example of how Slipknot are telling the world that they are back, here to stay and this time as a full 18-legged machine. Every member is showing off their talents here and its beautiful to listen to. Listen out for Corey's clean backing vocals (We. Are. Kill. Gods.) AOV - 9 / 10 This album's Eyeless / Suflur. Fans of the 'old' Slipknot will enjoy this song. Fast, thrashy, catchy. Corey steps into clean vocals during the chorus before an unexpected breakdown which leads straight back into that classic Slipknot 'thump'. A gem of a track. The last 30 seconds will remind you of the last minute of Sulfur. Brilliant. The Devil In I - 10 / 10 The first 'proper' single and video to accompany this album is The Devil In I. The first minute or so could fits right in with the introductions to TV series American Horror Story (if you have seen it you should know what I mean). The song rivals greats such as Duality and Psychosocial and frankly I think its better than both of those. It sounds as a cross between Gently, Purity and Before I Forget. The verses sound chilling with the slow undistorted guitar and clean vocals and is probably my favourite song off the album. This should be a live staple. Killpop - 8 / 10 Probably the most 'radio-friendly' track that showcases both the heavy and slower side to Slipknot. It will come as no surprise if they release this as a single with a story-driven video. The structure of Killpop is similar to that of Vermilion with a great build up to a solo and an epic ending to the song. I really like this song for that similarity. Skeptic - 9.5 / 10 This song was written as a heavy tribute to the late Paul Gray. It takes me back to the style of the heavier songs on Vol. 3 such as Three Nil and Opium Of The People mixed in with different takes on the first album. I have heard criticism of the vocals in the chorus but I personally think they are fitting to the song. Again, each member of the band is on form here with plenty of percussion, backing vocals, sampling and turntables. I hope they play this live. Very catchy. Lech - 7.5 / 10 Similar to Gehenna and Wherein Lies Continue from AHIG, this is very much percussion-based, slow in parts, and just heavy without the need to be too thrashy. Not my favourite from the album but a good track nonetheless. Goodbye - 9 / 10 I was almost afraid that this was going to be another Snuff. As good as that song is i'm glad Goodbye is not a copy. In the same league as songs such as Circle, 'Til We Die and possibly Danger - Keep Away, Goodbye is a slow bass and keys driven song dedicated to Paul Gray before guitars and percussion kick in halfway through with the clean vocals getting louder and more emotional. I love the ending where everything us turned upside down after the solo unleashing a short but sweet fury of thrash borrowing the riff from the next track. Nomadic - 9.5 / 10 One of my favourites. A very groove metal style song with plenty of riffage, percussion and sampling throughout. The clean vocal chorus and the accompanying riff is definitely a highlight for me. One of my favourite Slipknot songs of the last 10 years. The One That Kills The Least - 8 / 10 This song has several different Slipknot musical styles. Ranging from slower more hard rock influenced sound to faster riffs and drumming with plenty of samples and scratching in the background. A decent track, reminiscent of Dead Memories but better. Custer - 10 / 10 One magazine calls this Surfacing 2015 and they aren't wrong. No it may not be as 'simple' as Surfacing from the self-titled album in terms of music, but from the moment the song starts it never lets up. From the main riff into near-silent drums and bass with Corey's vocals descending to pretty much talking it then opens up into a chorus every Slipknot fan should know by now. It's loud, it's heavy as f***, Corey screams his head off here. The verses in the song slow things down slightly, similar to how Surfacing does also and then before you know it we are back to screaming those all important lyrics again. A live favourite, I hope they continue to play this for years to come. One of their best tracks ever released. Be Prepared For Hell - 8 / 10 Be Prepared For Hell is not much of a track but rather an interlude or a 'breather' from the chaos of Custer and driving straight into the next track. It's more chilling and haunting then XIX, and not the sort of 'background music' you want if you are in bed alone with the lights off after watching a supernatural horror movie. It nicely done and adds some atmosphere to the album. The Negative One - 10 / 10 A belter. A Heavy, relentless, take-no-prisoners thrasher similar to (and better than) the song All Hope Is Gone. This for me is the pinnacle of the album. It feels like the entire album has been building up to this and it certainly delivers. This song probably best describes Slipknot's entire back-catalogue in 5 and a half minutes. Every member can be heard here. From Corey's deep, dark, harsh screams to Craig's samples and Sid's turntables to the pounding of the percussion and drum kits. The guitars deliver some of the heaviest riffs in the band's career. The 'feel' to this track takes me back to the Iowa album and if you listen carefully I think there are elements of People=S*** (The riff during which Corey screams "....I hope you live, to see the day..."). The Negative One has earned it's place on the mantelpiece next to the likes of The Heretic Anthem, People=S***, The Blister Exists, (Sic) etc. A brilliant (near) ending to the album. If Rain Is What You Want - 8 / 10 The album's official closer. A slow but slightly heavy track with some of the more experimental elements of Slipknot thrown in. To best describe it is to consider it a cross between The Virus Of Life (probably most like this song), The Nameless, Prosthetics, Tattered & Torn, Gently and Iowa. A decent way to end the album. There are also a couple of bonus tracks if you have the special edition of the album. The two songs are Override and The Burden. Personally the latter is the better of the two. Whether you think it's worth paying the extra for them us up to you but I did and I didn't regret it! Overall a stunning return to form. A good cross between 2001's Iowa and 2004's Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses). It's definitely better than All Hope Is Gone and is a gem to listen to. I can safely say that it's 'one of those' albums where it may take a couple of listens to fully appreciate but once you have listened to it once you will want to listen to it over and over and never get sick and tired of the same music rotating. Relentless, unforgiving, thrashy as hell and intelligent. This is Slipknot at their finest. Welcome the 2 new members. Welcome back Slipknot. RIP Paul Gray.

when i first played this album i picked out a few tracks that were world class and that meant there were a few tracks that werent that and hell at first i found a few duds and i didnt like that . It didnt sit right with me, but time has been the healer of that. More spins has opened the door of doubt and i kicked those poor songs into moments of brilliance and now the album feels like a slipknot classic. Blending the evolved sound over the years into one here it all flows well and its nice and heavy when it needs to be with some melody but less ballady stuff than all hope is gone which over the years has revealed itself to be something less than it was when i first heard it,. I seen the lads in dublin, ireland last week and they were tighter than a nuns sock, the new tracks bled us all dry, it was the night for gods and they rocked us blind, metal will never die because we the maggots wont let it. The special edition contains two extra tracks on a second disc, god knows why, those songs are take it or leave it i am afraid to say but the main album is the dish here so dive in again and again.

Thank you, perfect as always

Another great addition to the Slipknot catalogue, containing all the things we'd expect from a quality Slipknot album, such as amazing vocals, crushing riffs and heavy drums. This is also the first album without Paul Gray and Joey Jordison, and while this is a great album given that, it is definitely missing a little something that makes Slipknot special in my opinion. Favourite songs include Custer, The Negative One and The Devil in I.

Considering All Hope Is Gone split opinion I think it's safe to say this one is back on form, no one really knew if the Slipknot machine would fire back up again after the death of bassist Paul Grey in 2010 and even more so with long time drummer Joey Jordison getting fired in late 2013. Still after all that has past the remaining members have managed to pick themselves up and create one of their finest albums in their long career, it does have its soft moments but the bulk of it is heavy/ferocious slipknot that we all love, maybe not their best album (Iowa is my favorite) but it's definitely close. They do have a new bassist and drummer (although I'm not sure who they are yet) and the drumming is pretty solid throughout, maybe not up there with Joeys drumming but it's still solid. Anyway after the years that have past and all the obstacles this band has had to face I've got to give it to em, they fullfiled my expectations and if you're a long time maggot then I urge you to pick this up, Slipknot are back and the world is a better place for it.

Excelente álbum, llegó en perfectas condiciones

Good slipknot music

メインで作曲をしていたドラムとベースが交代してからの作品。今回はほとんどの曲をCorey TaylorとJim Rootが作曲している。少し不安だったが、かなり頑張っている。あとは好みの問題で、個人的にはお気に入りとは言えない。どうも何かが足りないと感じてしまう。 全体的にパンチは少し弱いかもしれない。妙にプログレぽかったり、地味なリフだったり、今までのように1度聴いてガツンと来る曲は少ない。たぶん演奏が綺麗すぎるのかも。何回か聴けば良さに気づくパターンが多い。そういう意味ではVol.3に近いバランスだ。Vol.3より激しいが、あのアルバムのような名曲は無い。少し悲しくておとなしい「The Devil In I」が一番インパクトのあるメロディなのかもしれない。

Mahlzeit das ist hier meine erste Rezension. Erstmal ich bin Slipknot Fan seit 2001, Left Behind war der zündend Song damals. Slipknot self titled und Iowa höre ich heute noch total gerne und gehören definitiv zu meinen Fav Albums OF ALL TIME. Vol. 3 war nicht schlecht aber da gefällt mir coreys Gesang net so dolle. All hope is gone naja kp ganz solide sag ich mal paar richtig geile Tracks war damals beim Konzert 2008 in Berlin das war der BURNER....... Nun denn heute 2014 ich war so Ultra gespannt auf das neue Album das glaubt ihr net!!! Als The negative One veröffentlicht wurde war ich echt guter dinge und wurde nicht enttäuscht!!! Für mich ist das Album noch vor vol.3 und Ahig...... ja Paul ist Tod joey ist raus und klar das es anders klingen würde wenn die beiden noch dabei wären aber hey das Album ist definitiv wieder geiler Roher gitarrensound, Drums ballern und endlich wieder diese verrückten kranken stellen. XIX - Das intro gefällt mir sehr gut ich mag so ruhige Anfänge die Stimmung aufbauen und das tut es beim ersten hören hatte ich Gänsehaut!!! 8/10 Punkte Sarcastrophe - Fängt ruhig an und geht dann voll in die Eisen ;) Slipknot ist zurück ab da kann keiner mehr bezweifeln das sie wieder ein Stück in die alte Richtung gehen!!! 9/10 Punkte AOV - Fetter Song ganz solide meiner Meinung rockt aber haut mich net so derbste vom hocker. 7/10 Punkte The Devil in I - Der Duality Song von Gray chapter wobei ich diesen am Anfang wirklich net mochte muss ich sagen mit der Zeit wird der immer fetter und gehört definitiv zum einen der besten songs des Albums! 10/10 Punkte Killpop - Fängt seltsam an für Slipknot Verhältnisse und der ein oder andere vermutet bestimmt nen Stone Spur song^^ BULL[...] Bands entwickeln sich und der Song ist meiner Meinung echt interessant und macht spaß der Refrain rockt. 8/10 Punkte Skeptic - Also dieser Song hat es mir mit am meisten angetan der Refrain ist einfach BOMBE ...... hab so ein krassen Ohrwurm davon das ich es ständig triller und mitten im Song gibt net fetten Headbang Doublebass Part FETT FETT FETT....... 11/10 Punkte ;) Lech - Endlich hört man wieder geile Samples Sounds die auf Ahig fehlten die Strophe klingt so geil und der Refrain geil geil geil. Definitiv eher ein Iowa angesiedelter Song. 10/10 Punkte Goodbye - Tolle Ballade mit der Widmung an Paul wobei was heißt Ballade ist einfach geiler gefühler Song und es kommt auch so rüber! Corey singt Clean OH MEIN GOTT aber ey es ist echt fett pflichtsong. 9/10 Punkte. Nomadic - Fettes Riff, geile Sounds, Samples wieder drin und der Refrain auch geil. wer vol.3 mochte wird den song lieben!!! 9/10 Punkte. The One that kills the Least - Auch wieder grundsolider Song haut mich persönlich nicht ganz vom Hocker aber kann ja noch werden. 6/10 Punkte. Custer - Ja HEADBANG kann ich nur sagen welcher Maggot hat seit vol.3 nicht auf sowas gewartet!!! Wenn der Song live gespielt wird kann sich keiner mehr halten!!! DEFINITIV ein Highlight auf dem Album. 10/10 Punkte Be prepared for Hell - Ist son zwischengeprängel nichts besonderes meiner Meinung nach SKIP ....... 5/10 Punkte. The negative One - Ja der Song der Hoffnung verbreitete!!! Ich glaub dazu brauch man nichts mehr sagen! 10/10 Punkte. If Rain is what you want - Fängt ruhig an baut stimmung auf wirkt erst ganz unscheinbar aber zum ende bricht er total aus! FETT 9/10 Punkte. Override - Bonus song hoar gefällt mir net ganz so dolle weiß ehrlich gesagt nicht was ich dazu sagen soll. 5/10 Punkte The Burden - Bei diesem Bonus Song sieht es anders aus .... Fetter Song auf jedenfall hätte der auch auf dem regulären Album sein können weil er macht echt Laune!!! 9/10 Punkte. Nun denn hoffe es hat geholfen ;) Stay 6(sic)6

En toute objectivité et après avoir réécouté leur discographie, Slipknot signe pour moi un de leur meilleur album (c'est dommage qu'il y ait une petite baisse d'intensité et d'originalité en milieu d'album...). Leur univers et toujours bien présent, et même intensifié (retour en masse des effets et ambiances sordides) par rapport aux précédents albums.