Monday, October 20, 2014

A Fitting Tribute

New Release Review!

Band: Slipknot
Album: .5: The Gray Chapter
Release Date: October 21, 2014
Genre(s): Heavy Metal, Nu Metal
My Review: It's been quite some time since we've gotten new music from Slipknot, with their previous album "All Hope Is Gone" coming out back in 2008. But, they're back with a new album paying tribute to a former band member who left this world far too soon, bassist Paul Gray. This album features the band returning back to their roots, showcasing some of the trademarks of their early releases such as chaotic song structures, raw anger, and prominent use of turntables. Along with serving as a tribute to their fallen band member, they seem to use this album as a way to release all of the grief, pain, and anger that came with Paul Gray's death, evident in songs such as "The Negative One" which features extensive shouting from vocalist Corey Taylor. The album also sees Taylor bring back his rapping vocal style, and also like on Slipknot's old releases, the album is abound with profanity, which admittedly could be a deterrent. The songs on this album run the gamut, ranging from chaotic and aggressive songs like "The Negative One" and "AOV," to more melodic songs like "The Devil In I" and "If Rain Is What You Want," to the sorrowful and lamenting "Goodbye." The standout tracks on this album would have to be "The Negative One," "Skeptic," and "Lech," while the weakest links are "The Devil In I" and "Custer." Compared to the two previous records, this is a marked improvement and a great return to their roots, but still falls short of their earliest work. Nonetheless, it's the best Slipknot album in over a decade and an excellent addition to any metal fan's collection.
In Conclusion: ".5: The Gray Chapter" is Slipknot's best album in years and will make metal fans happy with a triumphant return to their early sound.
The Foundry's Score: 8/10
Bottom Line: You should by this album.