Thursday, October 9, 2014

.5 The Gray Chapter album review

This is MetalChapel News' first album review, and what better album to review than one of the most anticipated albums of 2014. My main concern is it would be too soft because they're mourning Paul Gray's death, but do not worry. It's fucking heavy my friends. And new members Jay Weinberg (we don't know if it's him, but we do) and Alessandro "Vman" Venturella had HUGE shoes to fill and they deliver.

1. "XIX", this has a gloomy and eerie feel to it. Corey Taylor comes in and you hear nothing but pain in his vocals. This track sets the tone and says "Get ready to go through hell."

2. "Sarcastrophe" is the next track and it starts where "XIX" left off, then you get some guitar and percussion in the background. Suddenly a drumfill comes in like a sledge hammer and you get one of those signature Corey Taylor barks. It sounds like the early Slipknot we all hoped to hear, but still has a newer element in it. This song sends a message that you will hear loud and clear.

3. "AOV" So far you've heard melodic track, and a HEAVY track. With AOV you get something that gives you both. AOV will be a song that will be on Slipknot's setlist for a while. The chorus is catchy, but still manages to stay heavy. Did I mention that this song has a bass solo?!?! Well it does, and Alessandro "Vman" Venturella murders it!

4. "The Devil In I" We have all heard this song, and we all know that it's a great song. This is again one of those heavy yet catchy songs that Slipknot are known for.

5. "Killpop" This song is unlike any 'Knot song you have heard. This song will make you think "Wait... This is Slipknot?". That does not mean this is a bad song, in fact it's one of the most memorable songs on the album. If you like KING 810's song "Eyes', then this is right up your alley. 

6. "Skeptic" Skeptic starts with a ferocious guttural and stays heavy. This song is punky to me, but is still heavy. The chorus is heavy yet melodic, "The world will never see another crazy motherfucker like you / The world will never know another man as amazing as you". As you can tell, this one's aboout Paul Gray.

7. "Lech" This song starts with Corey spitting “I know why Judas wept, motherfucker.”. "Lech" adds the punkiness from skeptic and the heaviness from "AOV"  to create a fucking brutal track. This in my opinion is the most brutal track on the album. At this point we know this album will not be a bust.

8. "Goodbye" After 7 tracks of brutality, Slipknot decides to turn it down a bit and give us what many call a ballad. It starts very slowly, but then it finally speeds up. It never gets incredibly heavy. It's similar to "Snuff", but still has it's own originality.

9. "Nomadic" This song is like something you'd hear on Iowa. This song showcases Corey Taylor's amazing song writing. It's textbook Slipknot and nobody else could pull off a song like this.
Any other front man would have no idea how to sing to this music.

10. "The One That Kills The Least" When Corey said this album was a combo of Iowa and Volume 3. The Subliminal Verses, this is like something you'd find on Volume 3. What I loved most about this song is the guitar. Jim Root and Mick Thompson show why they are one of the most underrated guitar duos. The guitar is haunting my friends.

11. "Custer" This is my favorite song on the album. It's brutal and will soon become an anthem for all maggots. You will soon hear maggots everywhere screaming "cut, cut, cut me up and fuck, fuck, fuck me up" You will keep this one blasting in your car for a while because it's that damn good.

12. "Be Prepared For Hell" this is just a break. It's a freaky interlude that makes you feel a little uneasy.

13. "The Negative One" This song is a song I love because it's the first new Slipknot that I got in 6 years. It was heavy and it told everybody, "We're back and we're as heavy as we were in the beginning days."

14. "If The Rain Is What You Want" Corey said that this is one of his favorite songs that Slipknot has ever made. I think it's a great way to end .5 The Gray Chapter too. It's not heavy, but it makes you look back and reminisce what you just went through. Very similar to "Gently from Iowa but still has originality.

This is one of the best albums of 2014. Going into it I was scared I'd get another All Hope Is Gone. All Hope is Gone has some good tracks, but as an albums it's not great. This album is great. It has heavy and it has melody. I give this album a 9.5/10. The only complaint I have is it was a little over produced. The album will be released October 21st via Roadrunner Records.

4 comments:

  1. Really great review. Really gave me some clarity as to what to expect and what not to expect. Looking forward to it

    ReplyDelete
  2. MAGGOT 4 LIFE CANT WAIT MY FRIENDS

    ReplyDelete
  3. I don't see the hype. Slipknot is terrible. They're only big because of there mask. This album will suck like all of there others have.

    ReplyDelete