Slipknot: All Hope Is Gone

Year released: 2008

Label: Roadrunner Records, Nuclear Blast

Official Website: www.slipknot1.com

Tracks:

1. .execute [1:49]

2. Gematria (The Killing Name) [6:02]

3. Sulfur [4:38]

4. Psychosocial [4:44]

5. Dead Memories [4:29]

6. Vendetta [5:16]

7. Butcher's Hook [4:15]

8. Gehenna [6:53]

9. The Cold Black [4:40]

10. Wherein Lies Continue [5:37]

11. Snuff [4:36]

12. All Hope is Gone [4:45]

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What's the latest fad on the alternative music scene these days? To don make-up and gimmicky costumes of course!

From pioneer hard rockers KISS, to visual-kei of Japan, from black metal gods Dimmu Borgir to indie hardcore rockers The Locust, musicians certainly are not just about their music these days. As the saying goes, “Seeing is believing.”

Certainly, that seems to be the case for these bands.

Just as how visual-kei bands from Japan usually give off a grungy, “emo” feeling to their music from their appearance alone, Slipknot's disturbing appearance for one, leaves on one the first impression of a typical don't-really-care-what-others-think-about-me American metal band: Heavy, mean, thrashy.

Take a listen!: Gritty, aggressive, mainstream-friendly.

But sadly, that is all there really is to it. The old saying about never judging a book by its cover does not apply to Slipknot, for there is nothing new explored here on their 4^th studio album, “All Hope Is Gone”. Similar to their earlier albums, Slipknot has not wandered away from their dissonant music style (which is actually, the typical style of most American metal bands), and as usual, such an album of theirs does produce a single or two. Three in fact, with the lucky trio being “Psychosocial”, “Dead Memories”, and “All Hope Is Gone”.

Yes metal gals n' boys, this is the mark of a “safe”, but not groundbreaking music album. Music, is an amorphous creation of mankind that is supposed to transcend space and time, surpass the previous generation's expectations, and yet retain that heartwarming feeling of melodic satisfaction within one's heart. Sure, Pop, Rock, and even Metal music have all contributed to destroying the traditionalistic views of contemporary music hardliners over the past half century with their immense success, but that does not mean all of them are timeless classics.

With the group numbering at a staggering 9 members, one would almost expect an epic sound from Slipknot. No, we did not get that on their 1^st album, not their 2^nd and 3^rd either, and not even the 4^th as well. In fact, the 4-member Metallica is so epic compared to them that Slipknot looks like Twilight put alongside Underworld. The saving grace of this album is the string of songs bearing the familiar mainstream-friendly tunes such as “Sulfur”, “Psychosocial”, and “Dead Memories”, and being “alternative metal” (Wikipedia, 2008), that sure is not going to please the more underground metalheads.

Metal Demons: The members of Slipknot – From left to right: Jim Root (Guitar), Paul Gray [R.I.P. Passed away in 2010] (Bass Guitar), Chris Fehn (Custom Percussion), Joey Jordison (Drums/Guitar), Shawn “The Clown” Crahan (Drums/ Custom Percussion), Corey Taylor (Vocals), Sid Wilson (DJ), Craig Jones (Keyboards), Mick Thomson (Guitar)

Yes, musical experimentation puts your next newest album at great sales risk, but if sales figures really matter to you more than making good music, you cannot truly call yourself a good musician. Keep your image Slipknot, its cool.

Improve on your sound however, it really needs some tweaking to get variety-seeking freaks (such as myself) to keep the CD in the player for months.

Here's my advice:

1. Mainstream junkies, pick it up, y'all should still find stuff like this cool.

2. Underground dudes, hold your horses, your money's better spent on some other CD.

Hope to hear better stuff on the next album, and my new year resolution to Slipknot: All hope is not gone for you!

Verdict: 8.3 / 10

Song Of The Week: Edge of Sanity - Twilight

"I close your eyes and whisper Goodbye.

You will never see how I cry.

I can recall what you said to me once:

If I leave there will be a sign

And the twilight will show me tonight.

From dusk to dawn. That's when we arise.

All souls forlorn, come down from the skies.

We're called the mist by the human race."

Hi there, I'm back with a rather familiar-looking title. Yes, unless you have been living under Jabba the Hutt, there is no reason for any of you to have not heard of Twilight. Just in case any of you really have been living under that obese alien slug, Twilight is a recent viral movie and novel from the New York Times bestselling author, Stephanie Meyer's hit vampire teen romance quadrology series. 

As much as the above columns of words sound like they are referring to the setting in Meyer's erotica, they are not. 

They belong to the song "Twilight", by the now-defunct, Swedish death metal band, Edge of Sanity. Honestly speaking, this song does fit the theme of the Twilight movie quite well, what with the lyrics telling the story of a man hit by the eventual realisation that death is not a scary thing afterall, and what he seeks is in the afterworld. I wouldn't be surprised if this song is ever found on the movie's OST (Original Soundtrack), but as we all cruelly know, there is a very valid reason why death metal is also known by the better-sounding name, "underground music". (read as "will-never-surface-to-the-public-world music")

Take a listen!: Morbid, dark, unique.

Metalheads who usually ogle only at the guitarists of metal bands, this song will be a real eye (ear?) opener to you. Dan Swanö (Guitarist/Vocalist of Edge of Sanity), is an influential figure in the underground world of metal music, and on this song, his growling vocals go perfectly with his soaring guitar solo, creating not only melodic satisfaction but a sort of hazy effect due to the constant search for stability between the vocal and lead guitar parts. 

Teetering off the Edge of Sanity were: Dan Swanö (Vocals/All instruments), Andreas "Dread" Axelsson (Lead Guitar, Backing vocals), Sami Nerberg (Guitar), Anders Lindberg (Bass Guitar), Benny Larsson (Drums)

This song comes off of the album, "Purgatory Afterglow", which is also home to one of Edge of Sanity's biggest hits, Black Tears. An interesting point to note would be that Black Tears is covered by two fellow European metal bands, Heaven Shall Burn and Eternal Tears of Sorrow. 

All in all, "Twilight" is a solid, gritty death metal piece, with a guitar solo that is sure to capture the guitarist-lover's ears. Guaranteed to be set on repeat for quite some time (if you are a true metalhead), this is one song that will not be forgotten long after the dissolving of the band. 

With all of that said, I really have to be frank here. Let the music do the talking! There's definitely no better way to convince you then to make you listen to the song. 

So for now, let us delve into the sinister world of Edge of Sanity!

Vampires!: Hang on baby, I'm gonna bring you to the twilight world now.

Firewind: The Premonition

March 25 2008

Century Media

Tracks:

1. Into the Fire [6:29]

2. Head up High [3:46]

3. Mercenary Man [3:28]

4. Angels Forgive Me [4:57]

5. Remembered [3:38]

6. My Loneliness [4:04]

7. Circle of Life [4:14]

8. The Silent Code [4:48]

9. Maniac [4:55]

10. Life Foreclosed [4:52]

Ok, in a nutshell, this album isn't impressive. Its just unconventional and unusually good. Maybe its because they're Greek. This power metal band started out as Greek guitar god Gus G's idea wayy early on but didn't fully manifest itself as a real band for quite awhile because of Gus G's numerous duties in other bands such as Nightrage, Dream Evil and Mystic Prophecy. After several line-up changes and a somewhat shaky start, Firewind is finally a team that stuck, Gus G has ditched all the other gigs and they've produced this.. this.. piece of work..

As I've said, there's nothing groundbreaking about The Premonition but something about it makes it solid. Other reviews I've read have been comparing it to Allegiance, the only other album released by Firewind that features the same line-up in 2006, but since The Premonition is my virgin experience with Firewind so to speak, my opinions are solely based on this album alone. Quality is good, lyrics are decent. Apollo's voice is rather unique in my opinion, but in a good way- the vocal display is attractive, powerful but melodious. The melodies are unusual, but somehow its just catchy, especially how you'll find yourself humming the chorus of each song not long after.

Of course, when you get a mega superstar like Gus G in the band, he practically outshines everyone. Keyboards are practically atmospheric, with Bob Katsionis only wagging his fingers on a few short solos here and there. Petros Christo is almost non-existent, the bass is hardly audible. Hell if his guitar could enunciate words, Apollo would be gone too. But there's an obvious reason why Gus G gets to hog the playing time: he's good. This magician exhibits something rare in metal guitarists: talent in not just shredding. Oh he can rip, you can bet your ass on that, but if you wanna know how good he really is, listen to the parts when he slows down, such as in the middle of Angels Forgive Me, man its heartstrings he's got strung on his guitar.

And speaking of heartstrings, My Loneliness is one of the better ballads I've heard from metal bands. Generally throughout the album, from energetic tracks like Remembered and Into the Fire to midtempo rockers such as Life Foreclosed, there are creative bits of experimentation that pulls them off good. Its probably like nothing you've ever heard, but hmm.. I can get used to this.

Verdict: 4/5

Featured Musician: Alexi 'Wildchild' Laiho

There actually isn't any need to introduce this guy. If you don't know him, you wouldn't be on this site. But due to extenuating circumstances, my last post was more than a month ago, so I've decided to celebrate my return with something (or someone, so to speak) big. And because a recent movie to hit cinemas share a certain similarity with the Children of Bodom frontman..


I sense a conspiracy..Notice how they have the same hair? XD

Actually, there's nothing special about this guy. He's just one of the best guitarists around. Having several achievements credited to his name, such as the title of World's Best Guitarist of 2006 according to Metalhammer magazine and being among the top 50 fastest guitar players in the world according to Guitar World magazine, as well as being the co-founder, lead guitarist and vocalist of the increasingly popular Children of Bodom, this shredder and growler's reputation precedes him.

Now C.o.B is one of the few bands Shadori and I both like, and while Janne Wirman is generally my favourite member (I got a thing with 'boardists), one can't deny the prolific success and musical quality largely stems from Alexi, since he writes most of the music and the lyrics. His involvement in other projects, such as Sinergy and Kylähullut, are also not bad, particularly the extension of his partnership with fellow C.o.B member and guitarist, Roope Latvala, in Sinergy.

The guy quite lives up to his nickname that notably comes from the song Wild Child by W.A.S.P. I mean c'mon, he learnt to drive before he took up the guitar, and if the quality of his playing is any measure of many years he's been tugging the strings, that was a damn young age (10 actually, he took up the guitar when he was 11). Not to mention the suicide attempts and whatnot. But what he once said about his band-mates remains one of my favourite quotes to date, and I like to use it to describe my friends: "These motherfuckers aren't my friends.. They're my brothers." Or something like that, you get the gist of it.

A coupla things you might wanna notice about Alexi in this video featuring him and Janne Wirman: obviously his awesome guitar playing, using his teeth to do it at around 2.30, and the number of times he says 'fuck' and the other grammatical versions of it every time he opens his mouth. Mitä vittuu, Laiho?

Song Of The Week: Slipknot - Psychosocial

Awright, your favourite American metalhead is back with a mainstream song this time.

As you all may most probably already know, famed American heavy metal band, Slipknot, has just released their latest album All Hope Is Gone a few months back.

These skilled Halloween costumers never fail to create that gritty and dark image within the realms of their catchy and mainstream-friendly tunes. However, their overall sound is a bit of a bother to me, and we shall touch on that in the review that will be released later on this month shall we. 

This Iowa band consists of 9 members, a LOT for a typical band. 

They are: Sid Wilson, Joey Jordison, Paul Gray, Chris Fehn, Jim Root, Craig Jones, Shawn Crahan, Mick Thomson, and Corey Taylor.

They have been around since 1995, which makes them one of the leaders of today's American heavy metal scene, and the hot single of theirs now is Psychosocial off of their 4th and latest studio album. 

                                        Masked Monsters: We love Halloween!

Looks scary, eh? Well don't worry, ultimately, musicians are just pure antics on-stage and just like any other regular human being off-stage. At least these masketeers make good music. From the dissonant opening guitar riff to the hardcore bursts of harsh vocals with catchy choruses thrown in the mix, this song would fulfill every metalhead's occasional mainstream fix. Go listen to it now!

Psychosocial - Slipknot [Official Music Video]

Psychosocial - Slipknot [Anime fan's interpretation of song]