New heavy metal album contains
both good, bad
By Quinn Kirsch
Staff
Writer
Slipknot does not care what you think. The members
of this band probably do not even like you.
That's Slipknot's message on its sophomore album,
"Iowa."
Somehow Slipknot has found a way to make its second
album significantly harder than their first self-titled album. "Slipknot,"
1999, sent shock waves across the neo-metal scene.
From it, Slipknot has developed legions of fans
in the Ozzfest circuit. The band consists of nine members dressed in
coveralls and varying masks. With nine members to taunt the mosh pit,
they are known for their incredible live shows.
The maggots, Slipknot’s name for its fans
that enjoyed the first album, will not be disappointed by the second.
Because it contains a harder sound, it may even be better in concert
than the first album.
The formula for most of the songs is basically
the same as the first: drums, drums and more drums, along with drop-tuned
guitars, digital sampling and screaming vocals.
The band consists of three drummers who are constantly
beating on their double bass drums like a Howitzer to give the band
its distinct sound.
Most of the songs are more than four minutes long,
which is long for as heavy as they are. All of the songs have multiple
transitions and distinct different riffs, but not all the transitions
work.
A couple of songs, including "My Plague" and "Everything
Ends," attempt to make the jump between melody and driving heavy metal
similar to "Wait and Bleed" and "Spit It Out," from the first album.
The transition just does not work as well this time.
However, I am impressed at their ability to write
great heavy metal songs with what appears to be no formal musical training,
or talent, for that matter. Many of the songs come together and develop
a bouncing rhythm. The songs speed up and slow down until they reach
the climax, which has the listener in a white-knuckled frenzy.
Lyrically, this album fell short. The sing (scream)-along
choruses are followed by verses that are full of angst and indistinguishable
lyrics. Lead vocalist Corey Taylor brought the same themes to this album
as the last. Every song has graphic imagery of pain, hate and insecurity.
Then Taylor expresses security with his own insecurities,
which plays well to Slipknot fans. The chorus, "I am hated/You are hated/We
are hated" in the appropriately titled "I Am Hated," is an example of
their dedication to being one with their fans.
However, Slipknot is in danger of losing credibility
in the rock world because of their lack of progression lyrically. No
one expects an epic political statement, but repeated lines like, "If
you’re 5-5-5, then I’m 6-6-6," in the chorus of "The Heretic
Anthem," are weak.
I am not sure what "5-5-5" means, or if it applies
to me.
But most of the maggots and others don't listen
to Slipknot to be inspired to do something great or beautiful. They
want to hear the beating drums to bang their heads. Slipknot came through.
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