There comes a time in every band's life where they take off the masks and grow up -- then again, maybe not, as Slipknot have managed to dig deeper without ever shedding their grotesque veils. They're still wearing disguises but they have shed producer Rick Rubin, the metal legend who produced 2004's Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses, giving the nonet just the slightest hint of broader horizons beyond their relentless aggression -- not enough for the band to crossover, but perhaps enough to earn grudging respect from listeners outside of metalheads. Of course, such respect is hardly granted to bands that wear monster maggot masks, so Slipknot's retreat to ugliness on their fourth album -- a move telegraphed heavily by the cheery title All Hope Is Gone -- isn't entirely surprising, nor is it unwelcome as this isn't a regression, it's more or less a consolidation of strengths. Certainly, the album gets off to a throttling start with "Gematria," a cluster of cacophony and for the longest time on All Hope it seems as if Slipknot will never let up on this pressure, as this is an onslaught of densely dark intricate riffs. So effective is this onslaught that when things do get a little softer a little later on, the album threatens to collapse like a soufflé, but that's only because the slower moments emphasize the group's odd tendency to sound like anonymous active rock when they untwist their rhythms and lay off on the double bass drums. Nowhere is this latent tendency for macho schmaltz more evident than on "Snuff," a stab at a power ballad that sounds disarmingly close to Nickelback, a bewildering incongruity that feels even stranger given the album's otherwise merciless attack. One more power ballad like this would be enough to derail the album, turning it into the crossover Vol. 3 never was despite Rubin's flourishes, but All Hope Is Gone as a whole winds up being as bleak and unforgiving as its title.
--- - |- It seemed as if Slipknot was destined for their first-ever #1 album on the U.S. Soundscan charts. Not so, thanks to hip-hop artist The Game, whose new release LAX sold 238,285 copies, a whopping 13 more than the 238,272 units shifted of Slipknot's All Hope is Gone — still an extremely respectable and awesome number. [...] ~~- Slipknot
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I'm having a shit day so I'll make this fast: last week's logo belonged to a band called Innocents Massacre. Not "Innocent Massacre" or "Innocents Massacred," as many of you guessed. So Tracy Smith, Erin Harris, Mike Lang and Alex Christensen win our last (at least for now) four copies of Trivium's Shogun. You who [...]
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In celebration of Slipknot's fourth studio CD, 'All Hope Is Gone,' we got our hands on the Iowan rockers' brand-new set of masks, and promise you're in for a treat. The latest masks are creepier and more intricate than ever -- some evoking the chilling countenance of film horror figures like Hannibal Lecter and Pinhead. Not kidding. So feast your eyes on the new collection, then take a trip ba...
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Slipknot's new album, All Hope is Gone, hasn't even been released yet, and already guitarist Jim Root is expressing dissatisfaction with producer Dave Fortman. During a recent interview, when asked if working with Fortman was a better experience than working with Rick Rubin, Root responded thusly: "Um, no. Dave Fortman really helped me appreciate Rick Rubin [...]~~
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"Dead Memories" was initially one of my least favorite songs on All Hope is Gone, the latest from Slipknot (which we're giving away right now!), but it grew on me - I like that little dip the guitar does during the chorus. I basically like the band's new video, too - Slipknot are nothing if not [...]
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Slipknot - 'Snuff' from the Album All Hope Is Lost, very good stuff!!
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Slipknot are set to release their new single, ‘Sulfur’ on 15th June. Taken from their US No.1/UK No.2 album, ‘All Hope Is Gone’ album, the release coincides with the Iowan band’s headline appearance at the Download Festival on Saturday 13th June. In other Slipknot news, drummer Joey Jordison has given blood for his new [...]
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Grammy Award-winning hard rock act SLIPKNOT just wrapped another hugely successful headline tour across the U.S. and continue to rack up accolades for its fourth album, "All Hope is Gone". The current single, "Dead Memories", has just landed at the #1 position on R&R's Active Rock chart. This is the...
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i ove this song so i decide to post it
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Slipknot have previewed the video for the third single to be culled from their latest K!-approved album, All Hope Is Gone, online.The Iowan nine-piece spent a grueling day submerging themselves in a water tank with director Paul Brown (Marilyn Manson, Avenged Sevenfold) as part of a video for their new...
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 "All Hope Is Gone")
