Slipknot
Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses


4.0
excellent

Review

by Kyle Ward EMERITUS
August 1st, 2007 | 441 replies


Release Date: 2004 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Slipknot shows with their 4th release that they can actually play some good music.

It's hard to deny where we come from sometimes, whether it be in our musical lives or our physical lives. People are constantly going through changes musically, shifting from one genre to the next, from what's popular one minute to what's popular the next. It's often though that our roots in music really tell something about where we were headed or what we were striving to achieve. I know my roots lie in the criticized genre of Nu-Metal, and with the famous (not to mention hated) band Slipknot. From what I listen to now you could probably never guess I ever listened to music like this and actually liked it, but alas here I am writing this review. Sure, I was 17, naive, and a Junior in High School when I first stumbled upon Slipknot, my first taste of metal music. Instantly though, I knew that metal was the type of music I would forever love. Slipknot was everything that a teenage kid wanted in music, lots of mindless screaming full of swears and hate. That was the old Slipknot though, the Slipknot which I no longer enjoy.

What many people (mainly teenage fanboys) don't like about this album is that *gasp*, Slipknot found out they don't need to swear every other word to express a message. Slipknot's fourth full length album Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) shows a drastic change in their sound. This sound is more refined, less chaotic, more meaningful, and overall, more mature. Lead vocalist Corey Taylor uses not only his scream, but a more emotion-driven clean voice to express his messages, even if those messages don't make sense at times. I have respect for Slipknot for realizing that they are actually a lot better if they mature themselves a bit. Even to this day, with myself listening to Black Metal and Death Metal, I can sit down, listen to this album, and say "Wow, this album is actually good".

As with the rest of the Slipknot albums, there are more instruments than you could possible imagine. From the normal guitar, bass, and drums, to the bizarre electronic sampling and homemade percussion, it all weaves itself together to create a sort of controlled chaos. Lead guitarist Mick Thomson can play some good riffs, and even lets out a pretty good solo toward the end of Vermillion, something which Slipknot almost never does. While the riffs may not be too catchy or all that technical, he lays them down with perfection (see the opening riff of Opium Of The People). Acoustic guitars are also used to good effect, as showcased in the tranquil and serene, yet brooding track Circle, as well as the amazingly emotional bridge in Before I Forget. The drumming, as always, is awesome (as it should be, with 3 drummers). The real star of the drumming department is Joey Jordison, probably the most skilled musician in the band. In songs like The Blister Exists and Vermillion he makes his presence known.

Vocalist Corey Taylor does an adequate job on the mic, while he may not be an awesome vocalist he captures the mood well like in Pulse Of The Maggots, Vermillion, Before I Forget, and Duality. Along with the usual screaming we see another side with his clean vocals, which aren't fantastic but are good, providing soothing touches to Circle and The Nameless, along with the awesomely sung Vermillion Pt. 2.

It can't be a Slipknot album though, without more than one horrible track. The pointless piece of trash that is The Virus Of Life shows almost no musical or vocal talent whatsoever. Another terrible song is Opium Of The People. While the only redeeming point of this song may be the great opening riff Mick Thomson plays, Corey goes back to his horrible rapping, which makes me feel ashamed at times to listen to Slipknot. Other filler tracks include Prelude 3.0, Three Nil and Danger- Keep Away.

While there may be a lot of filler and bad tracks on this album, the songs which Slipknot does play well are really, really enjoyable. The maturity on this album is astounding, and it shows that Slipknot is moving away from their former selves. While a lot of people may hate this, this is probably Slipknot's best work to date, and I, being a fan of Black Metal and Death Metal, am not afraid to admit I like this album a lot. We'll just have to see if Slipknot can continue on this course in the future.

Pros
+Great Drumming
+Some Fantastic Songs
+Solid Guitar Playing
+Shows An Astounding Sense Of Maturity

Cons
-Corey's Vocals Can Be Terrible At Times
-Some Horrible Tracks
-Bass Isn't Very Audible
-Some Awkward Moments

Recommended Tracks
Before I Forget
Vermillion
Pulse Of The Maggots
Duality



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user ratings (4003)
3.5
great
other reviews of this album
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Comments:Add a Comment 
Crysis
Emeritus
August 1st 2007


17640 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

This may be an unnecessary review, I know that, I just wanted to put in my two cents.

IsItLuck?
Emeritus
August 1st 2007


4957 Comments


Cons
-Corey's Vocals Can Be Terrible At Times
-Some Horrible Tracks
-Bass Isn't Very Audible
-Some Awkward Moments

usually leads to a rating of 4 with me too.

south_of_heaven 11
August 1st 2007


5614 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Good, good album.

Good review.

Otisbum
August 1st 2007


1913 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I agree with most of what you said, but a few of the songs I just don't listen to at all.

Crysis
Emeritus
August 1st 2007


17640 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

usually leads to a rating of 4 with me too.




If you are being sarcastic (which I think you are), I gave this review a 4 because the good songs on here are REALLY good.

BallsToTheWall
August 1st 2007


51592 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Good cd.

Digging: Fulci - Tropical Sun

rattlehead42147
August 1st 2007


1345 Comments

Album Rating: 1.0 | Sound Off

is this the same crysis that wrote the vinterland review? haha oh well we all used to listen to Slipknot. i got into them when i was 14 or 15 and i hate them now but i prefer Iowa over this by far.

Crysis
Emeritus
August 1st 2007


17640 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Indeed it is the same Crysis that wrote that lol. This is the only Slipknot album I still enjoy, the novelty has worn off with the rest. I'm a Black Metaller now.

Lunarfall
August 1st 2007


3178 Comments


Honestly, this album doesn't need 13 reviews.

But good review anyway.

Opium Of The People is NOT bad IMO.This Message Edited On 08.01.07

Ire
August 1st 2007


41944 Comments


This album doesn't need airplay at all.
Horrible band and album, tho this is a good review.

Crimson
August 1st 2007


1937 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Great review and I actually completely agree with what you said, even though I'm into death and black metal too.

Yazz_Flute
August 1st 2007


19174 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Meh i really don't like slipknot at all. I enjoy two of their songs, "Duality" and perhaps "Before I forget" to an extent, but i just about hate the rest of their music. My friend worships this band and say they're heavy as fuck.

Crysis
Emeritus
August 1st 2007


17640 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I'll be the first one to tell you they aren't heavy at all.

Dis_Con_Nec_Ted
August 1st 2007


5098 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

who is heavy then? (examples please)

Dis_Con_Nec_Ted
August 1st 2007


5098 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

serious? i thought you would give me the most evil death/black metal bands. but Iron Maiden - heavy?, no way...

Yazz_Flute
August 1st 2007


19174 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

I know they're not heavy crysis, i just said that my friend thinks that they are, ive heard a lot of their songs.

SylentEcho
August 1st 2007


1606 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Kreator as far as metal is concerned. Death metal would be heavy/brutal obviously coz its HAS to be that way.



Kreator doesnt need to be brutal yet they are. Check em out.



and about this album: its Slipknots best album....but i still hate them.

OhMyGandhi
August 1st 2007


101 Comments


i dont see why people think Joey is a great drummer. Half the time his drumming is real sloppy. The other half he is playing parts that have been done 7630762706270 times.

im not big on slipknot so i wont judge the album or the review.This Message Edited On 08.01.07

Cravinov13
August 2nd 2007


3854 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

blah!

sgrevs
August 2nd 2007


698 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Why all the hate for Opium of the People? It's one of my favourites on here :/ Nice review though.



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