Review Summary: Another number that isn't equal to any of you
Slipknot's heavy approach, scary(and funny at the same time) masks, angry lyrics and chaotic instrumentals were their signature in their early career. They had the s/t album which puts it together well enough, and Iowa that pushed the chaotic side out of its boundaries. Even with these typical Nu Metal albums, they showed some talent, and this talent finally prevailed in Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses.
So, in the third album, instead of doing another chaotic album to please their fans, they changed the rules a little here and worked around everything they did before, refining their sound and giving it new dynamics. The album still is heavy, but it also is more melodic and a little more technical. There are several solos through the album, and the songs change between furious verses and melodic choruses, following some tendencies of their peers(Mudvayne, System of a Down), but definitely making it of their own. Songs like "The Nameless" and "Before I Forget" execute this formula very well, giving a new edge to their music without losing its ferocity.
The album also opened new paths for the band, with experimental tracks, like "Vermilion" and "The Virus of Life", that have maniacal lyrics and strange, creepy structures and atmosphere. Also, it's the first time that they made slower, acoustic tracks like "Vermilion pt. 2" and "Danger (Keep Away)" that are strange to a band like Slipknot, but are surprisingly well composed. The heavy songs here are monstrous and put up a fight to the songs of their early albums, with well crafted lyrics and more interesting structures, like on the behemoth "The Blister Exists", which has a tasty military percussion section, thrashy riffs and an anthemic chorus that is heavy and melodic at the same time(a thing that is recurrent on Vol. 3), and songs like "Duality" that feature an infectious chorus and rap verses that are superior than the rapping on the first albums.
Every member in the band have a place to shine here. The guitar duo here takes a stand on the front of the band, a thing that didn't happened too often on the other albums, the bass offers more to the creepy experimental songs like "The Virus of Life", and the drums/percussions are at the top of their game, adding an edge to the songs without being annoying like they were on the early albums. The vocals are definitely the best of the band's career, with beautiful clean vocals and explosive screams that are emotional and strong.
Slipknot crafted a diverse album that shows more the band's talents and added more variety to their songs, making this an enjoyable experience that is more mature than the rest of their discography and one of the best of its genre. These guys never were so exciting before, and probably never will be again.
Standout Tracks:
The Blister Exists
Duality
Vermilion (Both parts)
Before I Forget
