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Review Summary: Satisfying the demand Subdued synths, simplistic drum groove, and a piano chord progression amplified by soothing vocal harmonies. Not exactly what you’d expect from a band like Slipknot, yet that’s exactly how they open The End, So Far. With the release of We Are Not Your Kind, the band completely revitalized their sound, bringing back the aggressions of their earlier era while also experimenting with some new stylistic changes. Their newest effort follows the same trend, continuing to improve upon their signature sound while enhancing their more experimental efforts, as evident in the opener “Adderall.”
Throughout The End, So Far, Slipknot continues to bring back nostalgia for fans, embracing their truly aggressive era, firing on all cylinders. Lead singles “The Chapeltown Rag” and “The Dying Song (Time To Sing)” combine heavy, headbanging riffs with soaring, infectious choruses in a way that captivates and works its way into your head. Tracks like “Hivemind” and “Warranty” amplify the intensity, incorporating gritty guitar progressions and blast beats that are full of energy and passion. Additionally, “H377” features blistering drum grooves with fierce guitar solos interspersed among the driving riffs and screams layering the track. The End, So Far, while full of intense moments that truly express the signature nature of Slipknot, manages to still implement new elements that continue to bring an interesting perspective to the band. A lot of the success of such implementation lies in the experimentation present throughout the record.
As mentioned before, “Adderall” truly sets the tone for the record in terms of trying new styles. With a sound not far off from what you’d expect from Stone Sour, “Adderall” shows Slipknot going beyond just the aggression and integrating a slow burn track that jarringly leads into the aggression of the lead singles. Similar to tracks like “Spiders” and “Not Long for This World” from their previous effort, “Medicine for the Dead” and “Yen” utilize eerie synth melodies juxtaposed by heavier progressions and haunting vocals that truly standout as highlights on The End, So Far. However, some of the experimentation doesn’t quite hit the mark. With tracks like “Heirloom” and “Acidic,” Slipknot attempts to create simple songs that have basic grooves to contrast the heaviness, but it lacks the passion and energy that the other experimental works manage to achieve. Nonetheless, the experimentation that does work, as in the ultimate tracks “De Sade” and “Finale,” exceeds in going above and beyond the expectations of the group, introducing new elements into their already established sound.
While it doesn’t reach the same intensity as their early work or the soaring experimental highs of We Are Not Your Kind, the band’s latest effort still manages to keep their sound fresh and interesting. With the combination of intensity and experimentation, The End, So Far doesn’t deviate far from the natural progression of Slipknot’s sound, yet continues to build upon their formula. Aside from a few moments that feel somewhat lackluster or devoid of much creativity, the strong moments of the group’s chemistry outweigh these faults and drive their style further and further, creating an album that will find its place nicely in the expansive discography of Slipknot’s career.
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Album Rating: 3.5
been a minute, so thought I'd throw this up to get back in the groove
pretty decent album, but probably won't be coming back to this a lot
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Listening to this, and then going back to We Are Not Your Kind, the quality is night and day for me personally; it's so much more focused in sound and has that hard hitting punch that the new album lacks. I cannot find any tracks on The End, So Far that even come close to Birth Of The Cruel, Nero Forte, Critical Darling, Spiders, Orphan, Solway Firth. WANYK is just far more interesting with sprinkles of their past efforts throughout.
It is a decent effort, but it doesn't feel cohesive at all, and definitely at the bottom of their catalog for me.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Im really digging adderall. Idk about the stone sour comparison, i've always associated stone sour with commercial radio rock. Adderall has some serious 70s vibes and its the last thing I would expect Slipknot to open with.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
idk, it just kinda reminded me of some of their softer stuff, especially with the melodies Corey Taylor used across the song
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I agree with a 3.5.. There's some solid tracks on here and the band sounds great. Corey sounds incredible for his age, Jay sounds great. The guitar work is good and it's cool to hear a lot of Sid.
It definitely doesn't top WANYK but, it's Slipknot. This late in their career, I say I'm proud of what they've done.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I agree with a 3.5.. There's some solid tracks on here and the band sounds great. Corey sounds incredible for his age, Jay sounds great. The guitar work is good and it's cool to hear a lot of Sid.
It definitely doesn't top WANYK but, it's Slipknot. This late in their career, I say I'm proud of what they've done.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
SteavisButthead? That almost looks like SteakByrnes + butt combined. I like it
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Listening now. Even after all these years and insanity, Corey is still one of the best metal vocalists around.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
people on facebook and instagram are bashing the hell out of this album. honestly don't see why. yeah its not their best work but its certainly better than All Hope Is Gone & The Gray Chapter. The only tracks I'd just call "okay" are Adderall, Acidic, and Heirloom. I found the rest to be solid slipknot sound with a few moments of experimenting sprinkled in.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
well the production/mix isn't too great but production honestly doesn't hold a lot of water to me. just how much I enjoy the actual songs
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Average effort from a band that ran out of ideas 20 years ago.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I've enjoyed every album this band has released bar All Hope Is Gone and even that album has its fair share of good moments, so I think I'll like this.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I did
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
What a comedown… Manatee don’t like!!!
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i got a few tracks in and then i mysteriously stopped listening to it, cannot be explained.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off
Have listened through this album several times today mowing the lawn. I officially like it quite a bit. It is a noticeable step up from WANYK. I like this album more so than any other Slipknot album that I can recall. Initially I thought of it as a lazy collection of b-sides like a couple of others have commented, but at this point I couldn’t feel any more differently. It feels quite fresh and invigorated for these guys. Corey’s screams are absolutely ferocious on some of these tracks. Arguably the best production/engineering on a slipknot album to date. Goes fucking hard and sounds great in a set of nice headphones. I really like the choice of quirky sounds and melodies that transition in and out of nearly every track. At times it somehow gives off a nostalgic feeling, and I don’t know why. The album has a really cool flow. I was never one to equate slipknot to maturity or having “mature albums”, but if there ever was one, this is it. God damn, why am I so hyped on a slipknot album rn. Alright, good night.
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Man I've got one of those Apple Music new metal tracks playlists on shuffle and it's played a handful of tracks from this so far. I either enjoy it quite a bit or just strongly dislike it lol. Guess I'll have to jam the whole thing and see if the tracks I've hated work better in the context of the album
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Definately not as mental as We are Not Your Kind, but hey, it's Slipknot. It does what it says on the tin.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
This is much better than i expected judging by the singles. Not too many standout songs except for an opener, the closer and a few more, but to it's benefit album feels really cohesive, mature and well thought out, much more than their last 3. I'm pleasently surprised. Not a b-sides collection at all
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Damn zeuz, I pretty much feel the complete opposite as you lol
This couldn't feel more like a B side album if it tried imo
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