Slipknot have been all over the news in the metal world, with speculation of new members and constant news going around.  It’s either vastly exciting or overkill on marketing on Slipknot’s part.  The new album however most likely deserves this constant news coverage.  “5: The Gray Chapter” is an album long time coming for Slipknot, it’s been nearly six years since their last album.  It is a blend of old sounds, like the darkness of “Iowa” and “Subliminal Verses” mixed with the hooks from “All Hope is Gone”.  It has Slipknot’s core and heart put into this album.  They put a lot of the pain from bassist Paul Gray’s death into it, but also some resolve.  It’s an album with mixed emotions, coming together in one layered beast of an album.

I personally have mixed feelings about this album.  Although I like the throwback to Iowa and older albums and am glad Slipknot are back, I crave more.  I find my preference for metal to be too advanced for just another Slipknot album, or any Corey Taylor project.  I crave a Slipknot album less about vocals and more about a stripped down, raw version of the band.  Maybe it’s just me, but Slipknot and Stone Sour have blended into one band because of Taylor’s active presence.  Not that it’s a bad thing, but I expect the bands to be vastly different.  Maybe the core of the album is completely different from Stone Sour, but the vocals are becoming one in the same.  Maybe Corey in his old age is lacking the dynamics he once used to possess so well, or maybe his projects are so much a part of him and his image he cannot differentiate.  Shawn Crahan and company surely make Slipknot what it is, trying to balance every piece of music in such a dark way.  Maybe that’s why this album is still so good; Each member balances each other out and blends into one signature sound that is Slipknot.

Regardless of my opinion, all fans should be pleased and relieved to have a new Slipknot album.  “5: The Gray Chapter” is surely a bit different than last releases, but it is classic Slipknot that millions of metal heads swear by.  Of course as a planet based on comfort and conformity, change is not always welcome in music or anywhere on Earth for that matter.  The change of members, melodic sounds, and a new emphasis on clean vocals may turn a lot of people off.  Luckily, Slipknot are out to make the music they want to and not what negative pricks on the internet want.  Either love it or hate it, Slipknot is back and slightly different.

Stream new song “Custer” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdBqOCS8LmM

The .5: The Gray Chapter track-list is as follows:

1. XIX
2. Sarcastrophe
3. AOV
4. The Devil In I
5. Killpop
6. Skeptic
7. Lech
8. Goodbye
9. Nomadic
10. The One That Kills The Least
11. Custer
12. Be Prepared For Hell
13. The Negative One
14. If Rain Is What You Want

Bonus tracks:

15. Override
16. The Burden